Page 141 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Nepal’s telecoms regulator, the Nepal Telecommunications mobile to a landline and NPR0.10 for calls between two mobile
Authority (NTA), has issued its Interconnection Guideline 2019 networks. According to The Kathmandu Post, the NTA director
setting out the maximum interconnection tariffs service providers Min Prasad Aryal hopes the lower interconnection charges will
can charge. From mid-March 2020, fees will be capped at NPR0.20 ‘be passed on to the customers with operators decreasing their
(USD0.00173) per minute for calls between two landlines, NPR0.10 tariffs’.
for calls from a landline to a mobile, NPR0.20 for calls from a (January 27, 2020) commsupdate.com

Oman

The Ministry of Technology and Communications (MTC) and Asyad top five countries in the rate of inspection, thanks to Bayan Risk
Group have signed at the Ministry headquarters a Memorandum Management System.” Al Hatmi also highlighted, “Asyad has
of Understanding (MoU) to coordinate and organize cooperation recently launched a logistics technical advisory program aiming to
to leverage ICT in developing the logistics sector in the Sultanate. provide services for individuals, start-ups, SMEs and enterprises.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, Chief Over 2019, the program supported more than 36 individuals and
Executive Officer, MTC and Abdulrahman Al Hatmi Chief Executive entities with more than 65 consulting hours. Furthermore, 17
Officer, Asyad. Under this MoU, MTC and Asyad will cooperate consultants who work with different logistic companies were
to develop programmes and laps of the SaS Center for the 4th registered in the program to provide this service.”
Industrial Revolution Technologies which will be launched (February 24, 2020) timesofoman.com
later on throughout this year, to meet the requirements of the
logistics sector in the sultanate as well as proposing solutions The Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has
to the challenges faced by this vital sector. Additionally, MTC will held a workshop to accelerate the development of 5G connectivity
provide technical consultancies in using 4IR technologies and in the Sultanate, leveraging the latest technologies from around
will conduct training programmes for Asyad’s professionals upon the world to spur national competitiveness in line with Oman
the establishment of the center by MTC IT experts and create a Vision 2040. The workshop also witnessed the signing of a
testbeds environment to serve the logistics sector. On the other Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TRA and Huawei
hand, Asyad Group will contribute to the development of plans for Tech Investment in Oman to collaborate in developing the local
the programmes to be offered by the center along with defining talent in the telecommunications sector in the country. The
the focus areas of the logistic sector and will propose projects MoU comes in line with Huawei’s commitment in the region to
ideas which can be commercially viable. Furthermore, Asyad will empowering local talents in the telecommunications sector as
facilitate conducting field experiments for the group subsidiaries ICT has become a crucial growth engine for societies and many
and encourage them to take advantage of the provided services. different industries. In addition, the workshop highlighted the
Asyad will also implement a number of projects by contracting expected benefits of 5G connectivity to local industries such as
with SMEs working in the ICT field. “Believing in the importance of healthcare, logistics, transportation, education, and much more.
emerging technologies, specifically the technologies of the 4th IR By facilitating open dialogue with ICT industry pioneers the
such as artificial intelligence and internet of things in moving and TRA aims to further support a local 5G ecosystem and develop
accelerating the growth of various economic sectors, we are in the innovative applications and business models for Oman. During
process of establishing technologies center of the 4th IR during the workshop, representatives from Omantel presented plans for
this year. This partnership comes as part of the preparations commercializing 5G in partnership with the TRA. Experts from
for the operation and management of the center and activating Ooredoo also shared plans for embracing Industry 4.0 applications
its role in promoting these sectors,” said Al Ruzaiqi. He added, using 5G infrastructure and devices. The TRA also welcomed
“Through our cooperation with Asyad Group, we seek to build global ICT solutions providers to the workshop to offer their views
local capabilities in employing emerging technologies as well as on 5G capabilities and recent international case studies. This
to provide a technological environment equipped to implement included a deep-dive session on the logistics and transportation
pilot projects that serve this purpose.” “Our partnership with the industry hosted by Huawei. In addition to being a key sector of
Ministry of Technology and Communications is instrumental in the Omani economy, it is one where the benefits of 5G can be
our strategy. For Asyad, employing leading-edge technologies is a felt most keenly in enhancing the visibility and management
key priority and a central competitive advantage to cement Oman’s of connected vehicles, devices, and goods. Key drivers for 5G
position as a global logistics hub. He added, “Asyad has always deployment include increased network capacity, lower cost per
sought to adopt technological innovations and initiatives that gigabyte, and new business use cases. Experts have previously
efficiently contribute to boosting Omani ports’ competitiveness; noted the correlation between a high level of digitization—which is
accelerating pre-clearance of imports and qualifying Oman to bolstered by 5G—and economic growth, leading to higher GDP as
achieve advanced indicators in trade facilitation regionally and well as national competitiveness. According to the latest Global
internationally. Currently, the Sultanate is ranked among the Industry Vision 2025 report, the potential of 5G for individuals,

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