Page 142 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

businesses, and society is enormous, with 58% of the world’s subscribers until the end of December 2019. Total lines of the
population anticipated having access to 5G by 2025. The TRA has integrated services digital network witnessed a rise by 3.1 per cent
already begun preparations to enable companies to provide 5G to stand at 49.011 lines, while the wireless fixed subscriptions
services and to encourage investment in the sector. In the next declined by 5.4 per cent to reach 1563 lines. The total number
four years, 4,400 stations are committed to being constructed by of mobile subscribers fell by 0.9 per cent to 6.383 million until
Omantel and Ooredoo. The latest 5G workshop builds on similar the end of December 2019, compared to December 2018. Out
initiatives with government agencies and the private sector to of this, post-paid mobile connections dropped by 2.2 per cent
plan 5G applications in preparation for network readiness. to 5,601,800. The total number of fixed internet subscribers
(February 19, 2020) tahawultech.com increased by 12 per cent to 475,097 by the end of December 2019.
Fixed broadband internet connections, which have more than 256
Total fixed telephone lines rose by 5.7 per cent to 592,196 by Kbit/s speed, including FTTH, DSL, internet leased lines, satellite
the end of December 2019, from 560,326 subscribers until the and LTE service stood at 473,70 subscribers, while internet
end of December 2018, according to the latest data released by subscriptions, which have less than 256 Kbit/s speed, including
National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Analogue mobile communication and internet, leased lines stood by 2077
fixed telephone declined by 0.8 per cent to 321,501 during the subscribers. The number of active internet broadband subscribers
period under review. According to the NCSI report, the number stood at 4,604,314 subscribers.
of subscriptions (IP) lines surged by 18.4 per cent to 213,320 (February 2, 2020) timesofoman.com

Pakistan

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has established representatives from Cabinet Division, Ministry of Information
a Consumer Support Center (CSC) with efficient and trained Technology & Telecommunication (MoIT), Ministry of Human
agents to facilitate telecom consumers. Chairman PTA, Major Rights, National Commission on the Status of Women, Ministry
Gen. Amir Azeem Bajwa (R) launched the CSC. The aim of new of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT), State
CSC is to provide ease and facilitation to the public for lodging Bank of Pakistan (SBP), PTA, Frequency Allocation Board (FAB),
their complaints pertaining to telecom services. Consumers can Universal Service Fund (USF), Ignite, Pakistan Software Export
register their complaints related to cellular mobile telephony, Board, Engineering Development Board and 3G Technologies.
internet service providers, fixed/wireless telephony, Device International Workshop on Leveraging Mobile to Achieve
Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), web Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The training course
content reporting (blasphemy, pornography etc.), UAN, Toll free, focused on gaining critical insights into the impact of mobile
UIN and allocation of short/CVAS registration amongst others. enabled services on sustainable development that included the
The consumer only needs to provide their required information effects of expanding mobile coverage in rural areas and the role
and details for the agent to quickly identify and respond to their of government and industry in closing the mobile broadband
queries/register complaints. On this occasion, PTA chairman coverage gap. Mr. Michael Nique, Director of Research, Mobile for
said that PTA is well conversant about issues faced by telecom Development Department, GSMA delivered the course. He provided
consumers. The launching of the CSC demonstrates the the participants with a greater understanding of strategies, policy
authority’s commitment to innovation, deeper understanding frameworks & regulatory levers needed to maximize the impact of
of the consumers’ needs and progressive-solutions-to-be- mobile on the implementation of national SDGs plans. Speaking
provided-to-them. Telecom consumers are encouraged to take on the occasion, Chairman PTA, Maj. General Amir Azeem Bajwa
up their complaints with their relevant service providers. In case (R) said that the course proved to be a valuable experience, one
a consumer’s complaint is not addressed by the relevant telecom which addressed the impact of mobile in achieving targets set
operator or they are unsatisfied, they may contact PTA CSC or under the SDGs. PTA is doing its utmost efforts alongside other
launch complaint at PTA website for speedy redressal of their stakeholders in supporting SDGs by bringing economic & social
grievances. (February 22, 2020) app.com.pk benefits of the mobile and internet to rural communities. The
Chairman also thanked GSMA for this collaboration and assured
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in collaboration of PTA’s full support for future programmes and trainings. This
with GSM Association (GSMA) organized two days capacity course was delivered under the “PTA-GSMA Centre of Excellence
building training course on “Leveraging Mobile to Achieve Program for Regional Regulatory Training” under which one
Sustainable Development Goals” at PTA Headquarters, training course shall be conducted on the latest topics of
Islamabad. The training course was attended by international telecommunications and ICTs in every quarter of 2020.
participants from Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) along with (February 2, 2020) phoneworld.com.pk

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