Page 92 - SAMENA Trends - December 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

goal of enhancing fixed telecommunications networks. It responsibility of operating the existing fixed telecommunications
encompasses various facets, including the design, financing, network associated with the Ministry of Transportation, with a
construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer of ownership focus on its improvement and expansion into regions that are
of the fixed telecommunications network within the State of currently underserved.
Kuwait. Furthermore, the project company is entrusted with the (December 25, 2023) www.zawya.com

Nepal

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has revoked days. Axiata announced on 1 December that it had entered into an
the Rural Telephone Service license held by CG Telecom, after unconditional agreement with Spectrlite UK for the sale of Reynolds
the latter failed to apply for the renewal of its concession. CG Holding, which controls the Malaysian telecommunications
Telecom – part of Nepalese conglomerate Chaudhary Group – group’s equity stake in Ncell Axiata. The UK-registered purchasing
has held a mobile license since May 2017, but has been thwarted company reportedly belongs to Satish Lal Acharya, a Singapore-
by the watchdog at every turn and has been unable to progress based businessman of Nepalese origin. The remaining 20% stake
to a commercial launch. The development coincides with the in the Nepalese telco is held by Sunivera Capital Ventures, owned
NTA’s revocation of ISP licenses held by United Telecom Limited by his wife Bhavana Singh Shrestha. Local media sources claim
(UTL), Max Net Solution and Chitwan Network. UTL, which became the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) was not informed
Nepal’s first privately owned telco in July 2003, was previously one of the deal, despite the Telecommunication Act 1997 making it
of the country’s most notable players, before running into financial mandatory for a licensed company to obtain prior approval for the
difficulties. As such, its license revocation feels like more of a sale or purchase of more than 5% of its capital. Following a request
formality. (December 21, 2023) www.commsupdate.com for information, Ncell advised the regulator earlier this week that
it was assembling documents relating to the sale and purchase
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Nepal’s House of agreement and would submit these for approval. ‘Non-compliance
Representatives has ordered the government to halt Axiata’s of legal provisions, unrealistically maintained very low value of the
efforts to sell Ncell Axiata until a detailed investigation into the shares, efforts made to avoid paying capital gains tax, bringing
matter has been completed. Describing the process to sell the uncertainty to government ownership of the company after six
80% stake in the Nepalese telco as suspicious, non-transparent years, and spreading misinformation about Nepal’s investment
and unrealistic, the parliamentary body instructed government climate suggest the transactions are suspicious, non-transparent
agencies to conclude an independent investigation within 30 and unreal,’ the PAC’s decision states. (December 8, 2023) The Kathmandu Post

Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued the strategy emphasizes a multi-stakeholder approach, fostering
its Cyber Security Strategy for Pakistan's Telecom Sector, a active collaboration between public and private sectors, regulatory
comprehensive and ambitious plan set to span from 2023 to bodies, telecom operators, private security firms, academia, and
2028. This strategy is a significant step in the implementation civil society. This inclusive strategy aims to create a united and
of the National Cyber Security Policy - 2021, and marks a comprehensive front against cyber threats. PTA is dedicated to
monumental stride towards bolstering digital security in the progressively enhance the cyber security posture of Pakistan’s
country’s rapidly evolving telecom sector. The strategy is built on telecom sector over the next five years. This initiative is not just a
six foundational pillars, each targeting a specific aspect of cyber step forward in cybersecurity but it is also a leap towards a more
security, such as legal framework, cyber resilience, proactive digitally secure and resilient Pakistan. The strategy is available at
monitoring and incident response, capacity building, cooperation https://pta.gov.pk/en/media-center/single-media/cyber-security-
and collaboration, and public awareness. Collectively, these pillars strategy-for-telecom-sector-2023-2028-121223.
represent a holistic approach, ensuring a resilient and secure (December 12, 2023) www.pta.gov.pk
digital infrastructure across Pakistan's telecom sector. At its core,

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