Page 110 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain

The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has officially The Spectrum Strategy and Coordination Committee held
launched the My Gov app, marking a significant step in the country’s its fourth meeting, chaired by Eng. Mariam Ahmed Jamaan,
digital transformation. This app, which offers 41 eServices from Chairperson of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
nine different government entities in its first phase, is designed (TRA), with the participation of committee members representing
to streamline access to public services for both citizens and eleven government entities. The meeting aimed to review and
residents. Developed in partnership with CrediMax, the app is discuss the items on the committee’s agenda. At the beginning
available via the eGovernment Apps Store (bahrain.bh/apps) of the meeting, Eng. Mariam praised the members for their efforts
and reflects Bahrain’s commitment to improving its eServices in coordinating spectrum requirements and developing technical
landscape. The launch coincides with the 25th anniversary of His policies for planning and distributing spectrum resources across
Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s accession to the throne, the Kingdom. She emphasized the importance of maintaining
celebrating his Silver Jubilee. The app is aligned with the directives effective performance to support the telecommunications
of the Government Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal sector and government plans. The meeting highlighted the latest
Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and developments in the implementation of the National Frequency
Prime Minister. My Gov app offers users a unified login for 41 Plan (Resolution No. 4 of 2024), based on the outcomes of the World
different eServices and integrates with eKey 2.0, allowing access Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) and sector needs. The
to 10 personal documents and certificates. The app’s development plan seeks to organize spectrum distribution to facilitate flexible
is based on public suggestions, including feedback from the Fikra frequency allocation, addressing both current and future demands.
competition and the National Suggestions and Complaints System Bahrain is among the first countries to adopt a four-year plan
(Tawasul), ensuring it meets the needs of the community. During aligned with local and international telecommunications needs.
a special ceremony, iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed Key updates to the plan include the allocation of new bands for
emphasized that the app marks a milestone in Bahrain’s effort to mobile communications, satellite services for aviation, and aircraft
digitize services and support the 2023-2026 Government Plan. The connectivity through satellites. Additionally, frequencies were
app is expected to enhance the user experience by enabling faster allocated for Earth exploration services via satellites, contributing
access to government services and completing transactions in to the collection and transmission of scientific data. The committee
record time. It was officially launched by General Shaikh Rashid affirmed that this plan provides a clear and transparent guide for
bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the manufacturers and investors in the radiocommunications sector.
Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication It establishes clear regulations to organize the sector, ultimately
Technology (MCICT), at the Gulf Hotel, with senior officials present. benefiting the national economy.
(February 10, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com (January 1, 2025) www.tra.org.bh

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission required to meet 75 percent of the subscribed download speed
(BTRC) has proposed stricter quality of service (QoS) benchmarks and 50 percent of the upload speed. The BTRC’s new guidelines
for mobile operators in an effort to better protect user interests. are designed not only to safeguard consumer interests but also
This new draft includes significant changes, such as reducing the to foster a competitive market and encourage innovation. The
call drop rate ceiling from 2 percent to 1 percent and increasing the regulatory framework aims to improve customer satisfaction,
call setup success rate standard from 97 percent to 98 percent. service quality, and trust within the telecommunications sector,
The voice call setup time has also been shortened from 8 seconds while promoting fair competition. Furthermore, the BTRC will
to 7 seconds, while a new benchmark has been introduced for assess the performance of service providers through random or
Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) technology, setting the complaint-based checks, including inspections, drive tests, and
call setup time at a maximum of 3 seconds. VoLTE, a technology other methods. The draft also includes penalties for operators that
enabling high-quality voice calls over 4G LTE networks, will play fail to meet the established standards, including administrative
a key role in improving communication efficiency. In addition to fines under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act,
these changes, the mobile internet upload speed requirement 2001. Despite the new regulations, local mobile operators have
has been raised from 2 Mbps to 4 Mbps, and mobile data latency struggled to maintain current standards, with Grameenphone, Robi,
is now capped at under 50 milliseconds. The broadband sector Banglalink, and Teletalk failing to meet the BTRC’s performance
will also see new rules, with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) criteria in recent drive tests. (January 17, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com

110 JAN-FEB 2025