Page 122 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Turkey

The "Regulation on the Establishment and Operation of the in the Official Gazette and entered into force. Deputy Minister
National Mobile Warning System" prepared by the Information of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan made
and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) was published statements on the subject. (February 26, 2021) btk.gov.tr

United Arab Emirates

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory identify and register telecom devices that can be used in the UAE
Authority announced that the National Laboratory has been without causing damage to users, interference of frequency, or
equipped to inspect telecom devices with the latest technologies damage to telecommunications networks. It also supervises and
to examine mobile devices compatible with 5G technology, which participates in approving and registering telecommunications
aims to ensure that these devices meet the approved technical equipment in the country before importing them and ensuring
standards. The lab has the capacity to scan mobile devices that that they comply with laws and regulations. (March 16, 2021) wam.ae/en
provide 5G services. This step aims to examine, test and certify
mobile phone devices compatible with 5G networks to operate The number of telecom subscribers in the UAE, including mobile
on the UAE operators’ networks, and to protect users from using phones, landlines and Internet, grew to 21.929 million by the end
devices that do not meet the standard specifications, which of 2020. The latest statistics released by the Telecommunications
may affect the safety of mobile networks as well as the users. It and Digital Government Regulatory Authority indicated an increase
also helps government and private entities examine the devices in the number of mobile phone subscribers to 16.820 million by
before importing or buying them from abroad. Through these December end from 16.707 million in November, at a spread rate of
upgrades, the National Lab will ensure that 5G devices conform 186.1 lines per 100 people, with mobile subscriptions accounting
to the approved international standards and are compatible for 76.2 percent of the total subscription base. Pre-paid mobile
with the telecom networks in the country. It also ensures their phone subscriptions totaled 13.178 million by end of December,
compliance with the UAE specifications such as early warning, while post-paid mobile phone subscriptions stood at 3.641
in order to guarantee the devices’ compatibility with local million for the same reference month. Landline subscriptions
networks and regulations. In this context, Saif bin Ghelaita, CEO likewise increased to 2.128 million. However, the total number of
of Technology Development Affairs, said: "The UAE has achieved internet subscriptions stood at 2.98 million. (March 8, 2021) wam.ae
advanced positions globally in adopting and implementing 5G
technologies. The Telecommunications and Digital Government According to The Telecommunications and Digital Government
Regulatory Authority is keen, under the guidance of the wise Regulatory Authority ‘s report, the year 2020 witnessed a
leadership, to accelerate the pace of spreading 5G due to its noticeable increase in the demand for telecommunications and
great role in achieving digital transformation, applying artificial Internet services. This growth is also a reflection of the sector's
intelligence and leveraging big data. Accordingly, the Authority is readiness and the Authority's resolve to move towards the future,
keen to ensure that all devices designated for using 5G are safe by deploying all modern technologies in the best way possible
in order to achieve the desired benefit." Mohammad Al Shamsi, to realize greater achievements at local, regional and even
Manager of National Lab, said: "The Telecommunications and global levels. According to the UN E-Government Survey 2020,
Digital Government Regulatory Authority works constantly to the UAE's telecommunications infrastructure ranks first in the
ensure that mobile phones are compatible with the approved Gulf, Arab Region and Western Asia, and seventh globally in the
technical standards included in the Type Approval Regime, Telecommunications Infrastructure Index. In the Smart Services
with the aim of ensuring access to the best services and full Index, the UAE ranks first in the Gulf, the Arab Region and West
compatibility with networks operating in the country. Moreover, Asia, and the eighth in the world. The survey confirmed the
given the high demand for 5G compatible devices, the Authority UAE's determination to provide services that meet the people's
launched this initiative with the aim of ensuring that all mobile needs and aspirations by employing emerging and advanced
phones in the market are safe and meet the required standards." technologies and implementing digital transformation programs
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory like Smart Dubai, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence Strategy;
Authority provides many type approval services, including that was in line with the wise leadership's directives to engage the
registering and approving telecom devices, registering suppliers various segments by providing easy and interactive services that
of telecom equipment, and issuing custom release permits for enhance society's happiness. During 2020, the UAE maintained
telecom devices. The Authority's Type Approval Regime works to its first place globally in mobile phone subscriptions index

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