Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia

CST participates in the Arab Preparatory Meeting for 2025 the event from its role as a regulator of the space sector and an
Telecommunication Development Conference Saudi Arabia, enabler of investors and entrepreneurs, therefore contributing to
represented by the Communications, Space and Technology the growth of the Kingdom's space economy.
Commission (CST), participated in the Arab Preparatory Meeting (January 28, 2025) www.cst.gov.sa
for 2025 World Telecommunication Development Conference,
which were held in Amman, Jordan, from February 3 to 6, 2025. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)
The meetings were attended by excellences, leaders and experts, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization
policy makers, and representatives of regional and international (SASO) have announced that the first mandatory phase of the
development organizations in the telecommunications unified charging ports for mobile phones and electronic devices in
and technology sectors. The meetings aimed to identify the Saudi market is effective 1 January 2025, which requires "USB
strategic priorities for developing a regional action plan for Type-C". CST and SASO indicated that the unified charging ports
telecommunications development over the next four years. CST’s decision aims to improve the user experience in Saudi Arabia,
delegation led by Eng. Muath AlRumayh, General Manager of reduce extra costs for consumers, deliver high-quality charging and
International Affairs at CST, played pivotal leadership roles in Arab data transfer technology, and enhance the quality of tech products.
teams during the preparatory meetings, where they highlighted the Furthermore, it promotes environmental sustainability and helps
development of the global space economy in serving humanity achieve SDG's by reducing electronic waste. The first phase
through the adoption and development of the latest space will include mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, e-readers,
technologies. CST has organized and hosted several global portable video game consoles, headphones, earphones, portable
conferences, including the Space Debris Conference, seeking speakers, Amplified speakers, keyboards, computer mice, as well
to bridge perspectives between countries and address current as portable navigation systems and wireless routers. The second
challenges, as well as explore future opportunities for space phase will commence on 1 April 2026, and will include laptops. It
sector development. The upcoming conference will take place in is noteworthy that CST and SASO announced the phases of the
Baku, Azerbaijan in late November 2025, aiming to establish new unified charging ports for mobile phones and electronic devices in
collaborative frameworks while advancing digital innovation. It will the Saudi market on 6 August 2023, which also require companies
also address sustainable development and strategic planning for and suppliers to adopt the "USB Type-C“as the unified charging
the telecommunications sector. (February 21, 2025) www. cst.gov.sa port type, in accordance with the technical and administrative
requirements outlined in the relevant technical regulations and
During the Global Tech Conference LEAP25, The Communications, standard specifications. (January 1, 2025) www.cst.gov.sa
Space and Technology Commission (CST) received for achieving
first place with 94% in the Emerging Technology Adoption The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)
Readiness Index 2025 It is worth mentioning that CST had represented by its Deputy Governor Strategy & Digitalization, Mr.
ranked first in this index for two consecutive times in 2023 and Naif Sheshah, received the National EA Certificate for the fourth
2024. This achievement comes as part of CST’s efforts to reach level during the third edition of the Digital Government Forum (IGF)
organizational maturity and integration, increase flexibility and which was held in Riyadh between the 15th and 19th of December
collaboration between its sectors, as well as leveraging all 2024. The certificate was presented by the Digital Government
available opportunities and investing in human capabilities, along Authority (DGA) to the institutions that apply the National Overall
with adopting the latest emerging technologies. The index seeks Reference Architecture (NORA) which aims to facilitate the
to provide necessary support in identifying suitable emerging integration of government services and enhance the efficiency of
technologies with sustainable impact, and methods to invest in government performance Achieving the fourth level reflects CST's
them efficiently to enhance user experience and contribute to fundamental efforts throughout the year, as it has elevated to
building a smart digital government. (February 17, 2025) www.new.cst.gov.sa new levels of regulatory excellence by developing over 100 digital
services to enhance the user experience, while ranking the first
The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST), position among government agencies in Emerging Technologies
in partnership with Type One Ventures and Deloitte Consulting, Adoption Readiness for the second year in a row. Applying the
hosted the 3rd edition of The Frontier event, which brings together NORA method enables the Saudi government agencies to achieve
entrepreneurs, experts, and investors in the space sector, along integration and harmonization between the business sector
with Space technology end users from both the private and public and technology, and provide detailed information and indicators
sectors. The event aimed to discuss opportunities and challenges that support decision making. As well as optimizing the use of
for Space tech adoption in the mining, oil and gas, environment resources, governing investment in technology, while upgrading
and agriculture, healthcare, communications, urban development, the maturity of electronic services provided to the public.
transportation, and tourism sectors. CST is hosting this edition of (December 18, 2024) www.cst.gov.sa

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