Page 103 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ITU Recognizes CST’s

Digital Regulatory

Academy for Advancing
Global Digital Capabilities

The International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) has praised the Communications,
Space, and Technology Commission (CST)
for its leadership in developing digital
capabilities internationally through its
Digital Regulatory Academy (DRA). This
recognition highlights the academy’s key
contributions to the Telecommunications
and Technology Assistance Project, aimed
at helping member states create advanced
digital regulatory policies and improve their
regulatory capabilities. The DRA plays a
crucial role in supporting the global digital
transformation, aligning with sustainable
development goals by fostering human
competencies. The academy has launched
various initiatives to raise awareness of
digital regulation and its applications in
digital markets. It also helps member states
keep up with rapid global digital changes.
Notable achievements include workshops
and specialized training programs that have
benefited over 900 trainees from more than
100 countries. This international recognition
affirms Saudi Arabia’s prominent position
in the telecommunications and technology
sector and its essential role in driving global
digital transformation and sustainable
development. The DRA is a pioneering
platform for knowledge exchange, further
highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to
promoting digital regulation globally.

Australia Pushes Universal Mobile Coverage

Australia’s government proposed what new outdoor coverage, including more safety, increase resilience during natural
it called a world-first reform requiring than 37,000 km on regional roads. Minister disasters and provide an extra layer of
operators to deliver basic universal outdoor for Communications Michelle Rowland coverage in areas previously thought too
mobile coverage across the country, a noted the government would consult with difficult or costly to reach. Telstra reached
move made possible by the arrival of direct- stakeholders and introduce legislation an agreement with Space X in January
to-device technology using low Earth orbit this year to expand a universal service to deliver satellite-to-mobile service to
satellites. The Universal Outdoor Mobile framework to include mobile coverage customers in remote areas. In 2024, Telstra
Obligation (UOMO) would require operators for the first time. Implementation of called for a multi-technology approach to
to provide access to mobile voice and SMS universal outdoor SMS and voice coverage the universal service obligation using a mix
almost everywhere across Australia. The is expected by late 2027. Rowland of fixed, mobile and satellite technologies.
measure calls for 5 million square km of believes the reform will improve public

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