Page 80 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

PTA Notifies Mobile Device Manufacturing Regulations 2021

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) notified ‘Mobile of 2 Years or in case of any revision in the MDM policy issued
Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations, 2021’ binding the by the government of Pakistan. PTA may conduct inspections of
manufactures of 8 percent of total manufactured device to be the manufacturing facility through its designated representative
done locally by end of two years and showing ‘Manufactured in to ensure that the Authorization holder is complying with the
Pakistan’. According to the notification, these Regulations shall standards set out in terms and conditions of the Authorization.
come into force with effect from 25th January 2021. An application Provided that the Authorization holder shall demonstrate the
for the grant of Authorization to manufacture Mobile devices in following equipment is installed in the manufacturing facility as
Pakistan shall be made the form set out in Schedule ‘A’ to these part of inspections, Laboratory of Reliability Testing, Battery Test
Regulations. The Authorization holder shall ensure localization of Lab, Accessories Test Lab and Radio Frequency Audio and Optical
mobile device manufacturer in the manner prescribed below: at the Lab. Quality and Control Testing at assembly line including Device
end of one year, 2 percent of total manufactured device packaging Function Test (b) Controlled Drop test of device (c) Electrostatic
to be done locally, 2 percent of total manufactured device chargers Discharge (ESD) setup/tools (e.g. ESD Coat, Cap, Wrist band etc.).
to be produced locally, 1 percent of total manufactured device An application under sub-regulation (1) shall be accompanied
hand-free to be produced locally, 10 percent of total manufactured Application Processing Fee (non-refundable) of US dollar
device Motherboard Assembly (PCBA) to be produced locally, at hundred ($100) or its equivalent in Pak rupees to the Authority
the end of 2nd year, 8 percent of total manufactured device to and shall submit proof of payment along with the application. The
be done locally, 8 percent of total manufactured device display Authority may grant Authorization to manufacture mobile devices
screens and components to be produced locally, 10 percent of in Pakistan to an applicant who fulfills the open, transparent,
total manufactured device batteries to be produced locally. All and non-discriminatory eligibility criteria given by the Authority
devices shall be manufactured as per ITU-T technical standards from time to time. The Authority shall consider all applications
and certification reports for all components shall be provided to on merit and in determining whether or not to grant a certificate,
PTA for verification. If the Authorization holder fails to comply with the Authority shall consider the following factors, technical
any of the above conditions, they can submit a written justification competence and experience of applicant’s management and key
to the Authority. In case of same is accepted by the Authority, members of staff and local participation in the business; and
the above conditions shall be extended for a maximum period technical viability of the applicant’s business plan for mobile
device manufacturing. The Authority may reject an application; if
it appears that the grant for the Authorization shall threaten or
potentially threaten national security. The applicant must have
valid registration of Security Exchange Commission Pakistan
(SECP). In case the Authority decides to reject the application, it
shall give reasons for rejection. An Authorization shall be valid for
a period of ten (10) years. The Authorization may be renewed for
another term(s) beyond ten (10) years on one year (1 year) prior
written request of the Authorization holder before the expiry of the
existing term, subject to the terms and conditions applicable at
that time.

MNP Will Start By 30 September, NTC Says

The Philippines’ National Telecom- two dominant operators Globe Telecom house tapped to finish the back-end of
munications Commission (NTC) and PLDT’s Smart Communications had the scheme’. However, in a recent Senate
announced that the rollout of Mobile already started to allow MNP within their hearing the deputy commissioner now
Number Portability (MNP) – delayed due respective networks – albeit only for confirmed interoperability testing for
to the COVID-19 pandemic – will start subscribers shifting from pre-paid to post- MNP will be conducted in June with its
by 30 September 2021. The Philippines paid – they are yet to allow it for anyone introduction to follow three months later.
had intended on introducing MNP in the wishing to switch network provider, NTC Globe, Smart and new third player DITO
first quarter of this year under the remit Deputy Commissioner Ed Cabarios said, Telecommunity have formed a consortium
of the Republic Act 11202 – also known due to ‘the community quarantine’. In called Telecommunications Connectivity,
as the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) an interview earlier this month, Cabarios and tapped global firm Syniverse to
Act – signed in February 2019, with pointed out that the widespread quarantine implement the porting platform.
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) imposed in the country since March 2020
taking effect from 2 July 2019. Whilst the has ‘limited the movement of the clearing

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