Page 111 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

US, EU Pledge Joint Pursuit Of Positive Impact AI

The European Union (EU) and US pledged
to collaborate on research towards use
of AI to address major global challenges
including climate change and mitigating
the impact of natural disasters. In the
European Commission’s statement on
the move it explained the Administrative
Arrangement on Artificial Intelligence for
the Public Good was also designed to help
tackle challenges related to healthcare,
energy and agriculture. AI is expected
by the partners to play a role in areas
including predicting extreme weather and
natural disasters, alongside aiding crop
yields by modelling soil and atmospheric
conditions, and bird and insect trends. The
EC noted findings and resources would be
shared with “international partners that
share common values but lack relevant
capabilities to help them manage such
emergencies and challenges”. “Based on
common values and interests, EU and US
researchers will join forces to develop
societal applications of AI and will work
with other international partners for a
truly global impact,” EC Commissioner for
Internal Market Thierry Breton added. In his challenges with a joint development model member states were also part of a slew
country’s statement on the deal, US national and integrated research to deliver benefits of countries to sign the Declaration for the
security adviser Jake Sullivan noted to our societies”. The partnership is the Future of the Internet pledge with the US,
the collaboration will “drive responsible latest between the two regions focused outlining a global vision of the future of the
advancements in AI to address major global on advanced technologies and trade. EU internet and related technologies.

Six Canadian Operators Win Spectrum in Residual 600MHz, 2500MHz,

3500MHz Auction

Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science unused spectrum to work is an important Economic Development Canada (ISED),
and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne part of our government’s efforts to improve with 15 of these licenses now remaining
announced the results of the Residual connectivity for Canadians living in rural unsold. Bell Canada was the biggest
Spectrum license auction in the 600MHz, and remote communities. The auction winner, spending CAD10.61 million on
2500MHz and 3500MHz frequency bands results announced today are yet another eight licenses covering a population of
that concluded on 17 January. In total, 27 step in connecting Canadians from coast 1.6 million, while Videotron was close
licenses were awarded to six companies, to coast to coast.’ Auction revenue totaled behind, buying seven licenses for CAD9.93
many covering rural and remote areas, CAD29.97 million (USD22.40 million), with million (1.3 million population), followed
including 13 licenses awarded to ‘small licensing deployment requirements aiming by: Tbaytel (two licenses, CAD6.28 million,
and regional’ providers. Mr. Champagne to ensure that winners use the spectrum 780,000 pop.); Rogers Communications
declared: ‘Today’s results will mean higher- to offer services to end users ‘in a timely (six licenses, CAD2.67 million, 490,000
quality services in more of our great manner’. 42 licenses had been made pop.); Sogetel (two licenses, CAD413,000,
country, especially in the rural parts of available in the auction, which had either 16,000 pop.); and Ecotel (two licenses,
Canada.’ Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural gone unsold in previous auctions or had CAD66,000, 36,000 pop.).
Economic Development, added: ‘Putting been returned to Innovation, Science and

111 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023