Page 90 - SAMENA Trends - December 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATESATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS
REGUL

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN THE SAMENA REGION

Afghanistan

The Ministry of Communications and Information said that the country and demanded the interim government reduce the price of
Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) will create telecommunication services. “The rates should be controlled, they
450 telecommunications sites soon. Enayatullah Alokozi, the should set the same rate for all the devices, because they sell the
spokesperson of the Ministry of Communications and Information, internet to the customers as much as they want for each device,”
told TOLOnews that these sites are created in remote parts of said Rashidullah, a Kabul resident. Some economists consider the
the country where people are deprived of telecommunication installation of new telecommunications sites in remote areas to
services. According to him, among these sites, the Afghan be beneficial in speeding up the work and business processes of
Telecom company is supposed to create about 280 sites in 18 citizens. “The convenience of internet and telecommunications
provinces and 320 districts worth 27.5 million US dollars. "We can also have positive social and economic effects, including
have announced 450 telecommunication sites and these sites the simplification of the work and business process, and the
have been designed in specific areas, which are in places where result is conducive to economic prosperity,” said Abdul Zahur
there is no telecommunication service and the majority of regions Mudabir, an economist. Earlier, the Ministry of Communications
(320 districts) were deprived of telecommunication services,” and Information set the price of one GB of Internet access to
said Enaytullah Alokozai. Some residents of the capital have telecommunications networks at 110 afghani. and one minute of
praised the establishment of telecommunication sites in the phoning at 1 afghani and 85 pol. (December 11, 2023) www.tolonews.com

Bangladesh

The 4G penetration in Bangladesh has steadily risen over the 7.91 crore in June 2022 and 9.39 crore in June 2023. But despite
past few years, surpassing the 10-crore mark for the first time. these advancements, Bangladesh finds itself trailing neighboring
According to data from Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory countries in the South Asian region, which have witnessed more
Commission (BTRC), there were about 18.96 crore mobile rapid and extensive 4G network development. In 2022, more than
subscribers as of October. Of them, 10.05 crore use 4G. That means 72 percent of mobile users in India were equipped with 4G while it
more than half the users, or 53 percent, are now using 4G SIMs, was 57 percent in Pakistan and an average of 70 percent across
showcasing a positive trend in the adoption of high-speed mobile the Asia Pacific region, according to GSMA's The Mobile Economy
internet. Industry people attributed the growth to the expansion Asia Pacific 2023. (December 13, 2023) www.thedailystar.net
of 4G infrastructure, increased investment by telecom operators,
and growing demand for faster and more reliable connectivity. The Mr. Md Mohiuddin Ahmed has been appointed as the chairman of
telecom regulator awarded 4G licenses to operators in February Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
2018, taking Bangladesh into the era of fourth-generation data Prior to the appointment, Ahmed has been serving the commission
services. The number of 4G subscribers reached 5 million in June as its vice chairman. Ahmed will replace Shyam Sunder Sikder,
that year. The 4G subscriber base shot up to 1.87 crore in June the who joined BTRC chairman on December 14 in 2020. Ahmed will
following year before hitting 3.53 crore in the same month of 2020. hold the position until May 29 of 2025, according to a government
There were 5.92 crore 4G subscribers in the country in June 2021, notification issued today. (December 11, 2023) www.thedailystar.net

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