Page 112 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Early Warning System in Coastal Areas Complete: TRA Oman

Telecommunications Regulatory A key focus for TRA is augmentation of Omanization rate of 94%. Additionally,
Authority (TRA) of Oman has announced Oman’s telecom infrastructure through the number of postal companies saw
the successful implementation of the expansion of 5G networks and fiber a 31% growth, with total revenues of
an early warning system in coastal optic connectivity, alongside expediting licensed postal firms touching RO20.7mn,
regions in a collaborative effort with the shift from traditional copper networks up 14% from 2022. Looking ahead, TRA
Civil Aviation Authority and service to more advanced technologies. Such aims to enhance telecommunications
operators. Additionally, TRA has granted advancements are geared towards services across various sectors, including
Starlink Muscat a Class 1 license to offer fostering sustainable growth within the education, healthcare, tourism, industry
telecommunications services via satellite sector while maintaining affordability and transportation, while underscoring
systems, marking a significant stride in for consumers. According to Ismaili, its commitment to environmental
enhancing connectivity and emergency telecommunications companies are at sustainability, innovation and scientific
response capabilities. At TRA’s annual the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) research. “The transition from 3G to 4G
media brief on Tuesday, Omar Hamdan and laying down essential infrastructure. and 5G services, along with the allocation
al Ismaili, CEO, unveiled the authority’s Efforts are being concentrated on of new frequency bands to operators, is set
ambitious agenda for 2024, which includes establishing robust data centres that to revolutionise communication services in
conducting 29 field surveys across facilitate high-speed data processing, Oman.” TRA data indicates a positive trend
several wilayats to evaluate the quality of crucial for AI services and the exploration in the communications sector in 2023, with
telecommunications services available of new technologies. He highlighted mobile phone subscriptions increasing
to consumers. “This initiative reflects the sector’s financial health, noting a 3%, mobile broadband 5%, fixed telephone
TRA’s commitment to elevating service 12% revenue increase in 2023, reaching services 3%, and fixed broadband 5%,
standards and ensuring easy access to RO851mn. The sector’s workforce indicating a continued upward trajectory
advanced telecommunications,” he said. comprised 4,167 employees, boasting in Oman’s telecommunications landscape.

EC Hits Apple, Alphabet, Meta with DMA Probes

vertical search services” over similar
rival offerings, with Google Shopping and
Google Flights cited as examples. The
probe will also study Apple’s “design of
the web browser choice screen”, as Safari
was set as the default browser app on its
devices. Under the proceedings, the EC
said it will investigate whether the iPhone-
maker complies with its DMA obligations,
including to enable users to “easily change
default settings” or uninstall any software
apps on iOS, as well as allow customers
to choose alternative default services. It
will also investigate Apple’s new app store
practices. For Meta Platforms, the EC will
look into the company’s recently introduced
“pay or consent” model, which requires
users to subscribe to ad-free versions of
The European Commission (EC) opened online marketplaces designed to deter app its social media platforms or consent to
investigations into Apple, Alphabet and developers from freely promoting services having their data tracked. Speaking at a
Meta Platforms over alleged unfair market outside their ecosystem, on top of “self- press conference announcing the probes,
practices, outlining concerns the three preferencing” methods deployed by the Margrethe Vestager, EVP in charge of
technology giants fell short of conforming companies to favor their own offerings. digital policy at the EC described the cases
with its Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a The authorities said its investigation as serious and were “emblematic of what
statement, the EC explained the probes against Alphabet will determine whether the DMA is supposed to deliver when it
will target anti-steering rules imposed by Google search results “may lead to self- comes to choose for consumers”.
Apple and Alphabet on their respective preferencing in relation to Google’s

112 JANUARY-MARCH 2024