Page 145 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Dubai Expo 2020 event begins in October this year. The UAE’s following the conclusion of the ASMG meeting in Dubai. Outputs of
two cellcos – Etisalat and Du – currently offer 5G services using the ASMG meeting will have a significant impact in strengthening
3.5GHz frequencies. (February 14, 2020) commsupdate.com the position of Arab countries and protecting their interests in the
spectrum sector. The significance of this meeting stems from the
The 26th meeting of the Arab Spectrum Management Group exceptional vitality of the ICT sector, which has become the central
(ASMG), hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority hub of development and progress in various fields according to
(TRA), launched from February 9th to 11th at the Four Seasons several prospective studies that monitor the future of humanity
Hotel in the capital Abu Dhabi, prior to the 5th MENA Spectrum in the years and decades to come. If the telecommunications
Management Conference, which takes place on February 12-13. sector is this important, the spectrum system lies at the heart
The importance of hosting this meeting lies in it being the first of this importance in terms of being a vital natural resources of
meeting following the World Radiocommunication Conference the countries, as well as in terms of overlapping with many of
2019 (WRC-19). The meeting aims to review the results of WRC, the economic, social and security considerations.” During the
start a new post-conference action plan, identify new working meeting, participants will review the ASMG leader report on WRC
groups and distribute all agenda items that were adopted results. They will also review ASMG’s action plan and mechanism
during the conference to mini groups, in addition to distributing until the next WRC. Working groups, group leaders and agenda
ASMG roles and tasks to ITU study committees and working coordinators will be identified during the current study session
groups. H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, TRA Director General, until the date of the next WRC. The meeting is expected to develop
welcomed the participating Arab delegations, and said: “In light a draft agenda for the next meeting, specifying its location and
of the significant acceleration towards digital data and IoT, the time, as well as to discuss technical standards development and
importance of frequency spectrum is more evident than ever as regulatory matters of modern radio technologies. The meeting
it is the necessary element to meet the needs of the next phase, will also address the UAE’s 5G strategy and its role in drawing
and this requires forward-looking strategies to be implemented in up a roadmap to accommodate and implement 5G over the next
a participatory manner and by regional and global cooperation. In few years, in addition to presenting the frequencies foresight plan
this context, the UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, in the UAE. Arab countries attained five leading positions during
works by hosting various Arab meetings to coordinate with Arab WRC-19 as follows: Dr. Omar Badawi was appointed president of
states and activate all channels of cooperation among them, the WRC, Eng. Tariq Al-Awadi appointed as vice-president of the
thus achieving sustainable development goals in the Arab world WRC and leader of the ASMG, Eng. Sultan Al-Baloushi as head
and promoting the well-being and happiness of its people.” His of Working Group A4 on the discussion of IMT-related matters,
Excellency stressed his confidence that the ASMG meeting will Eng. Ahmed Amin (UAE) as chairman of Working Group 5A on
yield results that strengthen the telecommunications sector satellite service topics, and Eng. Mohamed Suleiman (Egypt)
in Arab countries, adding: “The meeting of the ASMG comes in as chairman of Working Group 5B dealing with items related to
preparation for the MENA conference, which kicks off on the day satellite services. (February 9, 2020) tra.gov.ae

145 FEBRUARY 2020