Page 84 - SAMENA Trends - December 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

NTRA Hosts First Regulatory Forum for Citizen Services

highlighted the importance of participatory
regulation among all regulatory agencies
and authorities, as the cornerstone of
digital transformation and the provision
of integrated digital services in different
scopes. He said that participatory digital
services depend mainly on coordination
between various sectors. He added that it
was necessary to achieve integration and
cooperation among regulatory authorities to
create an effective regulatory environment
for governing services and addressing the
challenges raised by emerging technologies
and integrated digital services. He also
stressed the importance of participatory
regulation among regulatory authorities
and institutions as a major global trend
in service regulation and provision, and
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority to support and enhance the State’s one of the most important mechanisms
of Egypt (NTRA) hosted the first Regulatory efforts to achieve digital transformation and criteria for evaluating and ranking
Forum for Citizen Services, with the and provide high-quality digital services countries on the global indicators set by
participation of six regulatory authorities: for citizens. The forum addressed three international organizations. He noted that
the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency major axes: raising social awareness of the International Telecommunication Union
(EEAA), the National Organization for digital services and how to obtain them, (ITU) chose Egypt as a model for successful
Social Insurance (NOSI), the Egyptian the importance and role of cybersecurity countries in implementing participatory
Water and Wastewater and Consumer in securing critical infrastructure, and the regulatory frameworks for telecom services
Protection Regulatory Authority (EWRA), regulatory and governing role of the State’s provided to users, in a study conducted by
Gas Regulatory Authority (GASREG), different regulatory authorities to preserve ITU on many countries. This was a result of
Waste Management Regulatory Authority the rights of users. It also discussed the progress made by Egypt in moving up
(WMRA), and Land Transport Regulatory ways to achieve participatory regulation to a higher level of digital technologies in
Authority (LTRA). The forum aimed to share among entities to ensure citizens are the Global Connectivity Index. The report
expertise, achieve cooperation among satisfied with the services provided. issued by ITU praised the NTRA and the
regulatory authorities, and improve the Hossam El-Gamal, Executive President Egyptian experience for using participatory
quality of life and service level for citizens. of NTRA, emphasized the importance of regulation as a tool to achieve an integrated
It also aimed to maximize the use of digital cooperation among regulatory authorities digital economy and create an active
services and ensure citizens can access to have a unified vision of providing digital regulatory environment that efficiently
them smoothly. The forum was organized services smoothly and quickly. He also provides digital services.

Ofcom Opens Consultation on Allocation of Expiring Spectrum

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Communi- cerns airwaves in the 800MHz, 900MHz, such, use of the range for mobile commu-
cations (Ofcom, or Bundesamt fur Kom- 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz bands nications would be restricted. Similarly, the
munikation, Bakom) has opened a public that are currently assigned to operators mmWave is also partially assigned to radio
consultation on the allocation of mobile Swisscom, Salt and Sunrise until the end of relay links, satellite communications and
spectrum that will become available from 2028. Ofcom is also seeking opinions and other telecom services, but the government
2029, when existing licenses expire. The feedback on the allocation of additional has ruled out the allocation of mmWave fre-
consultation looks to determine the needs spectrum in the 6GHz, 26GHz and 40GHz quencies for mobile communications until
of operators and level of demand for the ranges. The regulator notes that the 6GHz there is sufficient demand and the neces-
spectrum, as well as obtaining the opin- band is currently assigned to radio relay sary environmental legal framework has
ions of interested parties on the allocation links and partly to satellite communications been established.
process. The consultation primarily con- and has already been partially allocated. As

84 DECEMBER 2023