Page 118 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATESATORY & POLICY UPDATES
REGUL SAMENA TRENDS

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN THE SAMENA REGION

Algeria

With the ongoing digital transformation push across Africa, modernization and development program. The primary objective is
connectivity investments are surging continentwide. Algeria’s to anticipate the escalating Internet demand and ensure ultra-high-
Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Karim Bibi Triki, speed access. As per the “Digital 2023” report by international
announced, a substantial rise in the country’s international consultancy Datareportal, the median mobile Internet connection
bandwidth capacity to 9.8 Tbit/s. This marks a significant increase speed in Algeria via cellular networks reached 13.40 Mbps,
from 7.8 Tbit/s in 2022, 2.8 Tbit/s in 2021, and 1.5 Tbit/s at marking an over 17% increase in the 12 months leading up to the
the start of 2020. According to the Ministry, the enhancement start of 2023. Fixed-line Internet speeds reached 11.01 Mbps,
aims to provide increased flexibility, emphasizing the strategic rising by 1.23 Mbps compared to 2022. The bandwidth expansion
role of international bandwidth in ensuring and maintaining to 9.8 Tbit/s will facilitate the adoption of new technologies such
Internet services. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to as 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging services.
augment Algeria’s international bandwidth capacity, coinciding (February 9, 2024) www.wearetech.africa
with the deployment of a telecommunications infrastructure

Bahrain

Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi, Minister of Transportation Facilities has granted W.L.L license to Alliance Networks on the
and Telecommunications, participated in the inaugural 30 January 2024. (February 20, 2024) www.tra.org.bh
meeting of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance
for Digital Development’s Digital Innovation Board, held in The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), in cooperation with
Geneva, Switzerland, on March 19-20. Minister asserted that the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International, and Energy Studies
the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s choice of (Derasat), has announced the launch of the annual Customer
the kingdom as a member of the Digital Innovation Board was Satisfaction Index (CSI) of 2022 and 2023 on the services and
based on the solid relations between the two sides, as well as mobile applications provided by the Information & eGovernment
Bahrain’s landmark achievements in the fields of Information Authority (iGA). The study, which will be conducted and managed
and communication technology locally, regionally and globally. by Derasat’s Opinion Polls and Surveys Directorate, will cover
He indicated that the kingdom’s accession to the ITU in 1975 a sampling of the Bahraini community to measure their level of
and its membership in the ITU Council for 2023-2026 confirm customer satisfaction with the eGovernment services provided
its keenness to support ITU, especially in the fields of innovation through iGA’s eChannels. Lulwa Sami Ebrahim, iGA Director of
and digital development, to achieve sustainable development Communications and Marketing, stated that this study showcases
goals. Al Kaabi added that the kingdom’s accession to the the iGA’s commitment to enhancing the users experience and
Digital Innovation Board would contribute to consolidating and understanding their feedback relating to information, eServices,
supporting innovative technical projects, as well as enhancing and digital applications offered through the different eChannels.
Bahrain's position as a major center for innovation and leadership It supports the reengineering of these services to improve the
in the region. It is worth noting that the establishment of the Digital quality of government work, in line with directives of General
Innovation Board is part of the ITU’s efforts to provide strategic Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior
guidance and support for its member states to foster innovation and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and
and entrepreneurship in digital development. It aims to accelerate Communication Technology (MCICT). Lulwa Sami highlighted the
innovation capacity and create linkages at the national, regional iGA’s continued focus on providing accessible channels for users
and global levels. (March 21, 2024) www.bna.bh to share their feedback on eServices and apps, noting that this
study is just one of several approaches the iGA has adopted to
TRA, Bahrain, pursuant to Article 29 of the Telecommunications achieve this goal. She also reaffirmed the community’s role as an
Law, the Individual License for International Telecommunications integral partner in the journey of development and improvement.

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