Page 93 - SAMENA Trends - February 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

wireless backhaul and improve 5G rollout and enhance the quality in the Kingdom. These Regulations identify the fixed wireless
level of internet service in the Kingdom. (February 14, 2022) citc.gov.sa links frequency bands, their channel allocation plans, the
licensing mechanism in the Kingdom, in addition to the technical
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information and regulatory conditions for using fixed wireless links for
Technology (MCIT) and SAP, the global technology company, bands identified for these services. Following a previous public
signed an agreement to explore collaboration areas regarding consultation and the assessment of the users' needs of fixed
SAP’s cloud services and software solutions. The collaboration wireless links, CITC has developed this document which aims to
will see both MCIT and SAP working in various areas of joint optimize current spectrum use for fixed wireless links which will
cooperation that will take advantage of SAP’s cloud and on- contribute to increase the spectral usage efficiency, support 5G
premise software solutions, as well as training and knowledge wireless backhaul and improve 5G rollout and enhance the quality
transfer initiatives, reported Saudi Press Agency (SPA). MCIT and level of internet service in the Kingdom. (February 8, 2022) citc.gov.sa
SAP will establish a specialized SAP training program to develop
the skills of young Saudi professionals in core and emerging The Communications and Information Technology Commission
technologies. In addition, the areas of joint cooperation start with (CITC), Saudi Arabia’s digital regulator, has announced the launch
boosting Riyadh’s position as a technology hub to accelerate of two new Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). The
technology adoption through an advanced eco-system. MCIT licensing of Integrated Telecom Mobile Company (Salam Mobile)
and SAP’s planned collaboration will also include public sector and Future Networks Communications (Red Bull Mobile) doubles
digitization efforts, with a goal to support and accelerate the the number of MVNOs in the Kingdom’s market to four. Speaking
Kingdom’s digital transformation. SAP will work with MCIT to on the sidelines of the global technology conference LEAP22
accelerate the diversification of investments in the Kingdom in Riyadh, Deputy Governor of Regulation and Competition at
through its presence and expertise, while providing cloud services CITC, Eng. Omar bin Abdulrahman Al-Rejraje highlighted the
and software technology solutions in the telecoms and smart significance of the development: “Expanding the telecom service
cities domain. Nawaf Alhoshan, Deputy Minister for Technology at market is an important step towards transforming the Kingdom
the MCIT commented: “Our partnership with SAP will accelerate into a digital society, in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The entry of
our ambitious goals to accelerate the Kingdom’s role as a global two new players to the sector will also promote competition and
technology hub and will enable a more robust digital experiences ensure the product offering and customer experience continues to
across various sectors." “The collaboration will also ensure improve.” Companies with MVNO licenses rent infrastructure from
skills development and entrepreneurial enablement by assisting service providers to offer customers services such as voice calls,
and helping start-ups scale through SAP.io, and optimize the mobile internet and SMS messaging. The first MVNO licenses in
Kingdom’s economic diversification strategy towards a digital the Kingdom were granted in 2014 to Virgin Mobile KSA and Etihad
economy," added Alhoshan. (February 9, 2022) gdnonline.com Jawraa. The new entrants will compete for business in the largest
ICT sector in the Middle East and North Africa, with a market
The Communications and Information Technology Commission size of SAR144 billion at the end of 2021. As a 'G5 regulator',
(CITC) has issued the “Fixed Wireless Links Regulations” through recognized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU),
which CITC offers Ultra-Wide-band channels, adopts new CITC has a long-term objective of enhancing and stimulating the
licensing mechanism for fixed wireless links, and determines the investment environment of the telecommunications sector - of
guidelines to enable Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) applications which the issuing of new licenses is central. (February 7,2022) zawya.com

Syria

The Ministry of Communication and Technology (MoCT) and regarding Wafa Telecom is limited. Investors in the joint stock
the Syrian Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority company were reported to include influential businessmen with
(SyTPRA) have awarded the nation’s third mobile license to ties to the government. Iranian investors, meanwhile, were said
Wafa Telecom. The telco is set to begin operations over the next not to be amongst the company’s shareholders, but Iranian firms
nine months, citing a statement from the Telecom Minister to are expected to be awarded tenders to supply infrastructure,
parliament. The company will initially offer services via a two-year according to Damascus-based industry sources. An Iranian
national roaming agreement with existing providers SyriaTel and firm was initially in the running for Syria’s third mobile license
MTN Syria whilst it builds out its own network. Wafa Telecom’s but plans were scrapped over security concerns. Tehran has
license covers the use of 4G and 5G technologies, but further reportedly been pressuring Syria for business opportunities to
details – such as the price of the license or the spectrum bands that recoup the investments made in the country over the last decade.
the operator will use – were not disclosed. Similarly, information (February 22, 2022) reuters.com

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