Page 112 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The app facilitated level of Internet safety in the Kingdom of Bahrain in addition to
instant access to a range of public health-related eServices, digital training on an online safety curriculum. Regarding this
including vaccine registration and certification, while helping workshop, TRA’s Director of Consumer Affairs and Media, Sh.
the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Interior contact trace and Abdulla bin Humood Al Khalifa, said: “This cooperation comes
monitor positive cases. He credited the directives of HM the King within the community partnership with various entities and
in adopting modern technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in institutions to enhance knowledge cooperation. TRA will continue
various fields, and their role in establishing relationships with its role in promoting awareness about the safe use of online
major technology leaders such as Microsoft and Amazon web services through the SafeSurf initiative in the interest of providing
Services (AWS). Bahrain made many important strides towards a safe and effective internet environment in the Kingdom of
the digital transformation of government services and systems, Bahrain. This will enhance awareness within the community
which helped elevate its reputation regionally and globally. Al and help individuals discover and avoid internet risks, especially
Qaed called the National Action Charter a defining moment in those resulting from the use of social media, in addition to giving
the Kingdom’s history, one that that helped achieve wide-ranging solutions to overcome them, to mitigate the negative effects and
development and improved quality of life for citizens and residents. their impacts on Social, psychological and educational aspect of
Based on the principles of reform and progress, it enhanced life such as cyberbullying, fraud, identity theft and many others.”
the democratic process, supporting freedom of expression and Sh. Abdulla affirmed: “TRA has also worked to expand the scope
equality between citizens, ensuring education and health and a of knowledge through cooperation with various entities, including
commitment to economic development and diversified revenue Google and the Ministry of Education whose contribution we
streams. This reflected positively on the kingdom’s services and would like to recognize, and through this interactive workshop
products, introducing new systems that contributed to quality of that included a large group of teachers to be able to train their
life. He added that this anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on students and spread this culture in the educational environment
the kingdom’s achievements during this pandemic, which were and will then be a certified “Abtal Al Internet” trainer.” On his part,
made possible by HM the King’s dedication to ensuring the health Salim Edde, Director and Head of Government Affairs and Public
and wellness of all citizens and residents, as well as the efforts Policy in the MENA region at Google said: “We are committed
of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus, led by to providing the entire community, especially children, with the
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Al Qaed concluded by skills and tools they need to be able to use the Internet safely
congratulating the kingdom’s senior leadership and all of Bahrain while protecting their privacy. We are pleased to be partnering
on this anniversary, expressing his best wishes for its continued with TRA to help children and educators through Google’s “Abtal
local, regional, and global achievements, calling on all citizens to Al Internet” program, especially in light of current circumstances
continue offering their best in service of the nation. and distance learning. The participants in the workshop were
(February 15, 2021) tradearabia.com introduced to the “Abtal Al Internet” program designed to educate
and equip children with the required skills to use the Internet
Through the SafeSurf initiative, The Telecommunications safely and wisely. Teachers are trained on the tools and methods
Regulatory Authority in cooperation with Google, held an necessary to teach the basics of Internet safety and prepare
interactive workshop attended by several educational personnel students for a healthy and safe use of the Internet. The SafeSurf
from schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This workshop aims to initiative was launched by TRA in 2010 to provide citizens and
spread awareness, support digital safety education particularly residents of Bahrain and their families with sufficient knowledge
within the educational sector, in addition to addressing the latest and information to create a safer internet environment, in addition
risks faced online and the right way to overcome them. The to promoting awareness on cyber safety, culture and innovation by
workshop, which was held through Google’s “Abtal Al Internet” educating and empowering digital technology users and sharing
Program, discussed several issues related to the latest National knowledge and experiences.
Internet Safety Review study conducted by TRA highlighting the (February 1, 2021) tra.org.bh

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission three aforementioned operators also secured spectrum in the
(BRTC) has successfully completed an auction of additional 2100MHz band: GrameenPhone (10MHz, USD378.75 million),
spectrum in the 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands for BDT76.16 Banglalink (5MHz, USD145 million) and Robi (5MHz, USD145
billion (USD883 million), local news source New Age writes. million). Teletalk, which also participated in the 2100MHz auction,
Regarding the 1800MHz band, the regulator sold 7.4MHz failed to secure any airwaves; the state-owned operator withdrew
of airwaves for USD229.4 million, with Banglalink securing in the 15th round of the bidding, with GrameenPhone emerging
4.4MHz for USD136.4 million, Robi Axiata (2.6MHz, USD80.6 victorious after 81 rounds of bidding against the remaining
million) and GrameenPhone (0.4MHz, USD12.4 million). All participant Robi. GrameenPhone agreed to pay USD233.75 million

112 FEB-MAR 2021