Page 92 - SAMENA Trends - January 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul service under triple bundle services in GB”, he added. He asked
Haque said that under Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan, CM GB to identify important tourist points in Northern Areas
broadband services will be provided across the country. The so that broadband services could be started there to facilitate
Minister expressed these views during a meeting with Chief tourists and for the promotion of tourism. He said that work is
Minister Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Khalid Khurshid who called him, going on the project for upgrading the of 2G towers for providing
said a news release. During the meeting matters related to 4G services on Karakarum highway and its surrounding areas. GB
the provision of broadband services in GB, and IT parks were Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid lauded the steps and performance
discussed. Syed Amin Ul Haque said that work was underway for of Ministry of IT & Telecom under the supervision of Minister for
the provision of 4G services in Gilgit Baltistan. “Arrangements are IT Syed Amin Ul Haque.
in final stage for the provision of telephone, internet and cable (January 10, 2021) dailytimes.com.pk

Qatar

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and College Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Salem Nasser Al-Naemi, President
of the North Atlantic in Qatar (CNA-Q) signed a Memorandum of CNA-Q (Acting) said: “We are pleased to collaborate with CRA,
of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the fields of academic, in order to offer our students and faculty new knowledge sharing
research, and student support in terms of Information and opportunities. Contributing to the development of ICT sector in
Communications Technology (ICT). The MoU was signed by His our Nation is an important step, as we move at a fast pace into a
Excellency Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai, President of CRA and Dr. digitally driven era. I am confident that this agreement will prove
Salem Nasser Al-Naemi, President of CNA-Q (Acting). The MoU to be mutually beneficial, especially that CNA-Q is committed to
shall be valid for three years from the effective date, and the create highly-trained, industry-ready graduates. Above all, we
cooperation framework and scope of work include setting up greatly anticipate our evolving role in this collaboration, it is a
testing and validation processes and procedures for telecom and new milestone in our journey to empower the new generation and
networking systems at CNA-Q. In addition, instructors and faculty give them the right tools to sustain our country’s growth, and help
members will be invited to participate in finding solutions for achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 goals.” (January 26, 2021)
current telecom related challenges in Qatar, setting up, reviewing, cra.gov.qa
and updating regulations for CRA in various telecom fields. Other
benefits of the MoU include providing instructors and faculty The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has published
members with resources that help conducting applied research on its website a document titled “Qatar Spectrum Outlook”, which
that has mutual benefits to CNA-Q and CRA, as well as inviting is one of its kind in the region that provides the stakeholders and
students to attend and participate in activities held and organized interested parties with an overview of CRA’s overall approach in
by CRA such as training sessions, workshops, conferences, terms of the planned activities to manage the radio spectrum
and symposiums. Capstone projects themes to students in affairs in Qatar until 2022. The Spectrum Outlook includes CRA’s
telecom and networking will also be proposed, while having priorities related to some of its planned programs and projects
co-supervisors from CRA, coordinating short visits and trips to for the radio spectrum until 2022, including CRA’s plans to update
CRA’s departments and sites, and updating curriculum plans for the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), review the radio
the telecom and networking diploma's and bachelor’s degree to spectrum usage fees, and the mechanism of the Quality of
include regulatory related courses. The MoU is also open to allow Service mobile networks audit, also it highlights some of CRA’s
cooperation in any other programs and activities agreed upon strategic projects that will be implemented before FIFA World
by CRA and CNA-Q. “CRA welcomes the signing of the MoU, it Cup - Qatar 2022. “It is a true pleasure to share Qatar Spectrum
will enhance the cooperation and coordination between CRA and Outlook with the stakeholders and interested parties. This
CNA-Q, as we are always keen to build bridges of cooperation with document was developed in line with CRA’s keenness to manage
different entities to exchange information and best experiences. the radio spectrum effectively and transparently, as it will help us
The MoU will support training and developing youth skills and in enabling the stakeholders and interested parties to understand
increase their knowledge of ICT, also through applied research CRA’s future plans and programs related to the radio spectrum
which is a key tool for development and providing solutions to management, especially that the FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022
related challenges, the MoU will contribute to the development is very close,” said His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al-Mannai,
of ICT sector in Qatar,” said His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al- President of CRA. The document outlines CRA’s plans to address
Mannai, President of CRA. “Finally, I would like to thank CNA-Q issues related to access to radio spectrum and enabling new
for their cooperation and we look forward to start working and technologies, and to make resources available to support telecom
cooperating with them within the MoU framework to achieve services and applications that are expected to require new or
our common goals; supporting students and applied research additional radio spectrum in the coming years, especially during
and promoting the development of the ICT sector,” he added. the hosting of the FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022. The CRA ensures

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