Page 62 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Egypt The Most Advanced in Using Fixed Broadband Subscriptions in Africa

OMDIA, a leader in the field of data, 2014. According to a statement issued by to fixed broadband services in Egypt.
research and studies supporting providers Telecom Egypt, the company invested 12.7 He also added: “The spread of Covid -19
of services and technology solutions, billion Egyptian pounds ($ 790.3 million) has led to an increase in subscriptions to
recently released its latest report on in 2019 as a new shift in fixed broadband XDSL services by 6.1% at a quarterly rate,
broadband networks that is widely spread offerings in line with the country's strategy or 16.1% annually, to reach 7.99 million
due to its economic and social benefits, to develop its network capabilities and subscribers, by the end of 2020, compared
as it is one of the most important and improve the quality of internet services in to 6.88 million in 2019. While mobile
strategic pillars for the development of Egypt. Moreover, the growth in broadband broadband subscriptions saw growth
countries worldwide. The report revealed networks in Egypt in terms of infrastructure, from 36.89 million in the second quarter
special expectations that help decision- digital initiatives and services is due to the of 2019 to 41.79 million with a growth
makers to take appropriate steps and plans efforts of the Ministry of Communications of 2.7% on a quarterly basis and 13.3%
for the future of their business, especially and Information Technology, the National annually. Reed also stated that the growth
as it encompassed a set of important Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in fixed broadband subscription in Egypt is
recommendations and suggestions for and the operators, where Egypt witnessed the highest of its kind in Africa. However,
developing broadband networks in Egypt. a growth in fixed broadband services from it is considered low compared to the Gulf
On top of them, is inevitability of working 25% in 2017 to more than 35% in the first countries, and it also highlights the need of
on reducing the digital gap and ensuring quarter of 2020, and there is still more the customers in Egypt to have reliable and
that broadband services reach all citizens, growth potential for high-speed fixed high-speed connectivity.” He carried on his
in addition to reviewing the increase broadband for the right technology at the words by explaining that the progress and
in participation in mobile and fixed right price in the market. Matthew Reed, enhancement of the broadband services
facilities to overcome financial obstacles. an analyst in OMDIA said: “Broadband is an important factor in providing a
Moreover, the report underscored the fact reports have become of great prominence, system for the growth of digital services,
that investment in broadband should be whether for companies working in the including online communication tools,
enlarged to be able to continue providing field of technology or smart governments, e-commerce, financial services, and finally
quality services, especially after the spread especially after the great expansion in the e-government, which forms the basis
and outbreak of COVID-19. Eventually, usage of the communication technology.” of the digital economy. He concluded
the report emphasized that Egypt should He also expounded that this global his words by assuring that, information
continue to invest in developing digital pandemic led to an increase in the internet and communication technology will
skills to guarantee the provision of high- networks and social communication’s increasingly contribute to the development
level services to customers. The report also usage, especially when it comes to the of the country's Gross Domestic Product
indicated that the Egyptian government fields of education, public, health services, (GDP), noting that OMDIA's broadband
is working on developing the broadband and others. Meaning, these services have reports expect that although the market
infrastructure in Egypt in light of the started to become carried out remotely, share of XDSL will decline over the next
country’s vision in digital transformation, which led to the existence of a changing few years, XDSL will remain the largest
in cooperation with Telecom Egypt (TE), in lifestyle compared to what used to occur fixed broadband technology in the region,
which the Ministry of Communications and prior to the emergence of this lethal capturing 39.7% of fixed broadband
Information Technology has an 80% stake, pandemic, the thing that enforced an subscriptions in 2025.
to modernize the access network since acceleration of growth in subscription

Nepal Preparing to Begin 5G Testing in Four Cities

The Ministry of Communications and during which consumers will be able to approval for the tests to begin and will now
Information Technology (MOCIT) has access the service free of charge. As decide which frequencies will be allocated
announced that it will soon commence previously reported by TeleGeography’s to operators for 5G services. The National
testing of 5G networks in four cities of the CommsUpdate, the MOCIT instructed Telecommunications Authority (NTA)
country, reports The Himalayan Times. state-owned telecoms provider Nepal has proposed using low-band 700MHz,
Communications Minister Parbat Gurung Telecom (NT) to begin 5G network 900MHz, 2300MHz and 2600MHz
revealed that necessary technical and testing during the current financial year spectrum, mid-band 3300MHz, 3400MHz,
infrastructure studies are being conducted ending mid-July. Meanwhile, a meeting 3600MHz and 4100MHz frequencies and
prior to staging 5G trials in Kathmandu, of the National Radio Frequency Policy 26GHz high-band spectrum.
Pokhara, Birgunj and Biratnagar, Determination Committee has given

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