Page 116 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Libya

A meeting was held on 15 March between Faisel Gergab, Libya and Italy have discussed ways in which information and
Chairman of the Libyan Post Telecommunication & Information communication technologies can be deployed to improve the
Technology Company (LPTIC), and Lydie Sheehan, Country delivery of public services in the North African country. A draft
Director for British Trade Relations in Libya and Tunisia, Libya memorandum of understanding (MoU) was studied last week
Herald has reported. The LPTIC, the government holding company in Tripoli by the two parties, represented by Giuseppe Buccino
in charge of all state-owned telecoms firms, revealed the meeting Grimaldi, the Italian ambassador to Libya, and Mahmoud Khalifa
considered ‘the importance of cooperation between the two Al-Tlissi, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Technical Affairs
countries in the field of telecommunications and technology and of the Government of National Accord, with a view to establishing
the opening of new horizons for development and investment a cooperation agreement. According to the Libyan government,
in the sector in Libya. The meeting also discussed how British the draft MoU relates to support ‘in the field of digital technology
telecommunication companies can contribute to LPTIC’s used in public services to improve and simplify communication
strategic plan and future projects’. Following the meeting, Faisel between citizens and public administrations. Libya’s efforts to
Gergab stated: ‘LPTIC seeks to benefit from British companies’ restore its public sector structures following several years of
expertise to develop the telecommunication sector and expand internal conflict have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic
investments in the country in line with the company’s 2021-2023 and the associated restrictions.
strategic plan.’ Lydie Sheehan, meanwhile, expressed Britain’s (February 10, 2021) Agence Ecofin
desire to strengthen cooperation and investment by establishing
commercial partnerships with Libya in the ICT sector.
(March 17, 2021) commsupdate.com

Morocco

Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency 16.32% annually, reaching 5.48 million users at the end of 2020.
(ANRT) released a report containing the main statistics showing For the mobile data traffic, it rose by 155% in 2020, while fixed-
the development of the telecommunications sector, including line data traffic increased by 56%, resulting in a 27.26% rise in
internet use, in Morocco at the end of December 2020. In the international Internet bandwidth, which reached 2,507 GB at the
report, ANRT reported a 17% increase in the total number of end of 2020. Morocco had more than 20.5 million internet users
internet subscribers. The percentage brings the number to 29.80 in 2017 including 12 million Facebook users, according to the
million, increasing the penetration rate to 83%. With regard to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), representing a 58.3
number of 4G mobile subscribers, the report shows an increase percent penetration rate. In 2018, the same organization released
of more than 30% to approximately 20.5 million. Meanwhile, the a statistical report on individual internet access in Morocco. This
fiber-optic network subscribers increased by nearly 80% year- report shows that 64% of the population used the internet, of that,
on-year to more than 218,000 users. The smartphone penetration 61.1% were women compared to 68.5% of men.
rate hit 137.5%, and the contract mobile user base increased by (March 9, 2021) moroccoworldnews.com

Nepal

Nepal plans to roll out 5G mobile internet by mid-July as it races and Technology to issue a separate frequency for 5G operation.
to become the first country in South Asia to offer super-fast The ministry is studying the proposal, officials said. Anup Nepal,
connectivity. Fifth generation wireless mobile networks will be set chief engineer at the ministry's Frequency Management and
up in Kathmandu and three other major cities under a pilot project Analysis Division, said they were carrying out additional studies
by the end of this fiscal year. Min Prasad Aryal, Director of the on the proposal. “The decision may most likely come by next
Nepal Telecommunications Authority, said they had submitted a week,” he told the Post. He added that they would first identify the
proposal on February 1 to the National Frequency Determining spectrum required for installing 5G technology. “The service will
Committee under the Ministry of Information, Communication then be tested in multiple geographical locations, and feedback

116 FEB-MAR 2021