Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is continuing Al Mudhaibi, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Bahla, Yanqul, Mahdha, Duqm
with its awareness campaign on the protection of the rights of and Taqah. TRA affirmed that such surveys are carried out using
users of various services TRA campaign #YourRight_ToKnow specialized measurement tools and approved methodologies that
aims to protect the rights of beneficiaries by educating them simulate a user’s experience. They seek to raise beneficiaries’ level
about their rights and obligations towards telecom service of awareness and enhance competition in the sector, it said. Key
providers. In return, the telecom providers have participated in indicators covered the level of coverage, the speed of downloading
the campaign by publishing a number of messages through the data and the percentage of successful calls, it added.
hashtag #YourRight_ToKnow, on various types of fraud issues and (February 13, 2023) www.timesofoman.com
their risks, which targets all segments of society, and both citizens
and residents. The campaign includes educational messages on The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has issued
several topics of interest such as international roaming, billing, a permit for North Star Company to provide Internet of Things
advertising messages, grievances of beneficiaries, and children's services. This type of permit is aimed at supporting innovation,
rights, in addition to quality approval and the 'Choose your package' promoting the digital economy and investment opportunities,
platform. TRA issued a regulation of the rights of beneficiaries last and finding innovative solutions to raise the level of services. In
September, which included 11 chapters divided into 75 articles, 2022, TRA issued a permit for Artificial Excellence Technologies to
concerned with regulating the relationship between beneficiaries provide its services in this field, the only other company authorized
and telecommunications companies or their licensees. These to provide IoT services. The organization of the Internet of Things
regulations will be implemented in mid-February of 2024 as part (IoT) was announced in 2022 through the issuance of a regulation
of the TRA's responsibility towards taking care of the interests regulating the provision of Internet services issued by Resolution
of beneficiaries and promoting the use of telecommunications 93/2022 in May 2022. The regulation included four chapters,
services. (February 16, 2023) www.omanobserver.om which are definitions and general provisions, the licenses chapter,
the obligations and rights of authorized persons, and the penalties
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has said that chapter. The IoT value chain covers devices, connectivity, big
the Wilayat of Muttrah posted the highest 4G service coverage data, data analytics, and applications with multiple stakeholders.
rate in 2022, while the Wilayat of Saham boasted the highest data Companies keen to operate in the sector can submit requests for
download speed for mobile broadband services. The Telecom licenses to provide Internet of Things (IoT) services. The initial
Services Quality Assessment for 2022 was the outcome of a approval will be valid for 12 months to enable the applicant to
field survey conducted by the TRA to measure the quality of establish the system for providing the service.
telecommunication services in Oman’s wilayats in 2022. The survey (January 25, 2023) www.omanobserver.om
covered 11 wilayats, which were Daba, Saham, Barka, Muttrah,

Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has published increased due to the ‘current economic situation and increase in
a consultation document on the proposed introduction of a SIM operational expenditures’. Meanwhile, SIM connection prices were
disowning charge. The proposed charge has been sought by deregulated in 2020 but competition amongst cellcos prevents
mobile operators due to the high cost of customer acquisition any from imposing sign-up fees. Consequently, mobile provider
and reported abuse of free SIMs by some consumers. Regarding Telenor announced in August last year that it would implement a
the latter, the PTA claims that some consumers hand SIMs to SIM disowning fee. The cellco was directed to halt the program,
‘illegal sources’ for financial gain and exploit the free disowning however, and the PTA initiated talks on the matter with industry
SIM facility by returning the SIM once they are identified. These players in September. No consensus was reached amongst the
customers then acquire a new SIM from another operator for providers on a potential framework for SIM disowning charges
the same activity, which also enables them to abuse customer or suitable price for such. Telenor proposed a minimum levy
acquisition offers provided to new customers for the sale of SIMs. of PKR300 (USD1.3), whilst ceilings of PKR300 and PKR500
In addition, the regulator stated that there were instances where were suggested by Zong and Jazz, respectively and the PTA
free SIM disowning was exploited by grey traffickers/fraudsters, recommended a maximum charge of PKR200. No solution was
as they were able to get new SIMs after disowning old SIMs proposed for addressing legitimate complaints from genuine
that were used for grey traffic or fraud. On the financial impact customers, for example resulting from the illegal sale of SIMs on
of these practices, the PTA notes that ‘significant resources and a user’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). As such, the
cost’ are involved in the sale of SIMs to customers through the PTA has invited comments from stakeholders and the general
Biometric Verification System (BVS) and that the expenses have public on the matter. (January 26, 2023) www.pta.gov.pk
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