Page 82 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has designated the public on best practices to realize an effective consumption
an additional 500 MHz radio spectrum of 6 GHz band (specifically of tech products. During his keynote speech, Eng. Saeed
5925-6425 MHz) to Wi-Fi for indoor use at an EIRP of 250 mW Belhoul, Chairman of Sustainability Committee and Director of
under class authorization. With this latest addition, the UAE has E-Government Operations at TDRA, said: “Under the guidance
become the first country in the MENA region to release additional of the wise leadership, we are striving in the UAE to be among
500 MHz of radio spectrum frequency in the 6 GHz band to the the best nations in various fields and sectors, and that includes
total spectrum of approximately 11.5 GHz (in 2.4, 5, 5.8 & 60 sustainable development. The UAE government is working to
GHz bands) already available for Wi-Fi. "This will significantly ensure environmental protection and strike a balance between
boost the speed of indoor wireless networks in the UAE, helping economic and social development in line with the UAE National
to keep up with the increasing use of wireless services by Agenda 2021, which states achieving a sustainable environment
individuals, companies and different business sectors for day- in terms of air quality, preserving water resources, increased
to-day activities, and to accommodate new applications which reliance on clean energy and implementing green growth plans. In
drive demand for faster speeds and greater reliability," TRA said, terms of infrastructure, the National Agenda aspires for the UAE
adding that Wi-Fi is a critical investment that connects people to to be among the best in the world in the quality of airports, sea
workplaces, businesses, education and healthcare. Interestingly ports and road infrastructure, as well as enhancing the quality of
99% of homes in the UAE have internet access as per ITU database electricity and telecommunications, making the UAE a forerunner
published in June 2020, and Wi-Fi plays an essential role in in the provision of smart services.” Eng. Belhoul confirmed
providing connectivity between users' routers and the increasing that TDRA seeks to create the desired positive impact on all
number of wireless-enabled consumer electronics devices in their stakeholders by maintaining a sustainable ICT business model,
homes including TVs, smart appliances, games consoles, and adding: "TDRA is keen to ensure a sustainable ICT sector for future
portable/mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, remote generations by embedding sustainability as a core individual value
controllers, 3D visors, laptops etc. The latest (Wi-Fi) standard and continuously integrating it into the business model, in order
promises theoretical peak data speeds of 10 Gbps (Gigabits per to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which
second), as well as better management of spectrum in congested the international community has agreed to achieve by 2030."
environments, faster latency, improved power efficiency and Speakers at the workshop addressed the significant increase
various other changes. Commenting on this decision, Hamad in e-waste, with 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste reported
Obaid Al Mansoori, Head of the UAE Digital Government and TRA worldwide in 2019, an increase of 9.2 million tons in five years.
Director-General, said, "The current situation has stressed the The workshop stressed the importance of recycling e-waste and
importance of having reliable Wi-Fi systems in our homes. This making use of the contained raw materials, as the value of raw
reliability on Wi-Fi networks has been driven by the increasing materials in global e-waste generated in 2019 was estimated at
demand of internet use in remote-working, education and data- $57 billion. Speakers emphasized that by adopting the Connect
intensive activities such as multimedia streaming on multiple 2030 Agenda, ITU Member States have set a global ITU e-waste
devices at the same time." Al Mansoori highlighted that the target for 2023 to increase the global e-waste recycling rate to
UAE always endeavors to strengthen the telecommunications 30% and to raise the percentage of countries with an e-waste
infrastructure and the efficiency of its national resources. He legislation to 50%. They have also committed to reducing the
added, "We look forward towards satisfying the UAE society and volume of redundant e-waste by 50%. The workshop noted the
businesses’ increasing expectations of Wi-Fi networks. We will importance of using digital technologies to monitor, mitigate
ensure optimal use of the spectrum while encouraging innovation and adapt to climate change; protect human health and the
and investment in Wi-Fi, and other wireless technologies." In its environment from hazardous waste; and adopt energy-efficient
endeavor to contribute towards the "Digital UAE", the TRA prepared digital solutions to reduce carbon emissions. The workshop also
a Spectrum Outlook for the period 2020–2025, which overlays discussed the importance of achieving a sustainable future in
the roadmap for making the available spectrum resources for the UAE. Speakers at the workshop also provided an overview
different emerging wireless technologies. The decision to increase of sustainability, global environmental issues, the importance of
the radio spectrum is aligned with the 'Outlook' and as a result of using technology for a better future, and the future of technology
engaging all stakeholders in the decision making through a public in a sustainable world. TDRA has a number of plans and policies in
consultation process. business continuity and sustainability, as the telecommunications
(December 28, 2020) wam.ae/en sector forms the cornerstone of various activities and areas such
as economics, education, health, security and defense. Therefore,
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory sustaining these sectors is driven essentially by sustaining the
Authority (TDRA) conducted a workshop entitled “Sustainability telecommunications sector. TDRA has sought to implement best
in ICTs”, under its sustainability efforts and in line with UAE corporate sustainability practices, providing a framework for
Vision 2021: towards achieving a ‘Sustainable Environment integrating the sustainability approach into decision-making,
and Infrastructure’. The workshop, attended by representatives plans and daily business of TDRA. TDRA has been able to
from a number of international and local entities operating overcome the challenges it previously faced in measuring the
in the field of ICT, aimed to discuss relevant challenges and impact of sustainability, strengthening its social, environmental
learn about practices of technology solution providers to reach and economic role in supporting the UAE government’s efforts to
100% sustainable products. It also highlighted the efforts of conserve resources for future generations.
organizations in preserving UAE’s environment, and educating (December 21, 2020) zawya.com

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