Page 74 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

third globally. The number of mobile subscriptions has reached and under the directives and follow-up of His Royal Highness
2.09 million lines, and fixed-line is 225,759 lines and 2.16 million Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime
Internet subscriptions. Today, the Fourth Generation (4G) network Minister, he added. "This achievement also solidifies Bahrain's
covers all territories in Bahrain. It has finalized all preparations to position as a country that enjoys a robust and widely accessible
launch the Fifth Generation (5G) network. Free of charge Internet fixed and wireless telecommunications infrastructure. It is part
access is available in most of the public areas in Bahrain such as of the efforts to consolidate the Kingdom's digital economy, the
at touristic areas, public malls, and public facilities. In line with development of the digital transformation process in all sectors,
the Digital Empowerment initiative, all educational institutions and the development of new sectors such as artificial intelligence.
in Bahrain are connected. Internet access is provided to all This should enable the communication and information technology
students and tutors at public and private schools in Bahrain, as sector to better support growth in all sectors of the economy and
well as universities and other educational institutions. The boost its contribution to economic growth," the minister told
Bahrain branch of the International Internet Society also received Bahrain News Agency (BNA). He highlighted the importance of
a “megabit” rating that guarantees its distinction among 19 strengthening smart communication infrastructure and adopting
branches of the society spread around the world. This allows regulations that would encourage innovation and investment in the
the Kingdom to expand its activities and highlight its progress in promising telecommunications sector, especially since Bahrain is
various fields of information and communication industry, digital today among the first countries to provide 5G services on a large
products and electronic services. The President of the World local scale in the world. The telecommunication companies today
Internet Society-Bahrain Branch, Ahmed Atiyah Al Hujairi, said have a prominent role in developing the sector and preparing it for
that the advanced global assessment obtained by the society’s a new information world with broader and more comprehensive
branch in the Kingdom reflects the development of the Internet features. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority follows
industry in the country. It is due to the efforts of the government up the implementation of the projects with companies and
and the relevant bodies in the Ministry of Transportation and ensures their readiness while ensuring an appropriate regulatory
Communications, the Information and eGovernment Authority environment for the availability of modern technologies in Bahrain.
and others, as they invest in this field, particularly in increasing, "We are continually striving to ensure that the Kingdom of Bahrain
promoting and developing the Internet as infrastructure in global maintains its position among global leaders in this crucial sector.
technology to enrich people’s lives and a useful force in society. This includes ensuring the availability of ubiquitous national
Al Hujairi noted that the leading global reputation of the Internet high-speed broadband, deploying commercial 5G services and
sector in Bahrain would shed more light on the opportunities enhancing readiness for next-generation ICT services such as the
emerging from this sector, which has become a major component Internet of Things and Machine-to-Machine communications,"
of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its basic applications, such the minister said. The achievement of nationwide 5G coverage is
as artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, and others. This is a reflection of the government’s efforts and vision to put at the
in addition to the fact that the Internet sector in the Kingdom has forefront of its priorities the availability of a robust and widely
become a decisive factor in the development of the other sectors accessible digital infrastructure in the Kingdom. It will support the
including education, health, industry, tourism, transportation, growth of the digital economy and enhance Bahrain’s readiness
among others. The International Internet Society, which has to harness the power of ICT and innovation for a more promising
offices in Washington and Geneva, boasts a membership base future, he added. "We trust that the ability to generate, use, and
that includes more than 130 organizations and more than 55,000 ultimately export innovation will be central to the ambitions to
individuals, as well as more than 90 branches around the world. grow and diversify our economy towards high value-added sectors
(December 29, 2020) newsofbahrain.com such as content development and Artificial Intelligence (AI)."
The International Telecommunication Union ICT Development
Transportation and Telecommunication Minister Kamal bin Index (IDI) has ranked Bahrain as the leader in the Arab world
Ahmed Mohammed said that 5G nationwide coverage is almost and 31st globally, which reflects the significant progress
achieved, having reached 95%. "This achievement is an important Bahrain has achieved in this sector since the liberalization of
milestone towards enhancing readiness for next-generation ICT the telecommunications sector. The telecom sector in Bahrain
services such as the Internet of Things, Machine-to-Machine attracted a total investment of BD 787 million (over $2 billion)
communications and other emerging technologies," the minister between 2009 and 2019 and the telecom sector GDP contribution
said. The latest achievement is another accomplishment during was 3% (2019).
the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, (December 15, 2020) newsofbahrain.com

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has service-related equipment other than mobile phone handsets.
drafted a set of instructions on issuing registration certificates The registration certificate issuance process for local assembling
for local assembling and manufacturing of telecommunication and manufacturing of mobile phone handsets has already been

74 DECEMBER 2020