Page 86 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN THE SAMENA REGION

Algeria

Algeria has a steadily developing telecom infrastructure with various degrees is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device
growth encouraged by sympathetic regulatory measures and production, while it may also be difficult for network operators
by government policies aimed at delivering serviceable internet to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing
connections across the country. Fixed internet speeds remain infrastructure. Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or
slow, and the country ranks poorly in international tables. Some slowed down in some countries. On the consumer side, spending
efforts are ongoing to address this, with the government having on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the
pressed Algérie Télécom in early 2021 to increase the minimum financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent
rate available from 4Mb/s to 10Mb/s. Mobile broadband is largely restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of
based on 3G and LTE, and the data rates are also low in global telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool
terms. Although LTE is available in all provinces, much investment for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets
is required from the MNOs to improve the quality of service. The the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in
government is encouraging the MNOs to undertake upgrades to subscriber growth. Although it is challenging to predict and
LTE infrastructure before investing in commercial 5G services. interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these
Intensifying price competition between the three MNOs – Mobilis, have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in
Djezzy and Ooredoo Algeria – together with increases in taxes on this report. The report also covers the responses of the telecom
voice and data services, have had a negative effect on operator operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they
revenue. The difficult operating climate encouraged VEON to sell react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make
its entire share in Djezzy in mid-2021, allowing it to focus on its optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy
more profitable markets. BuddeComm notes that the pandemic schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education,
continues to have a significant impact on production and supply among other solutions.
chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to (January 18, 2022) developingtelecoms.com

Bahrain

A new four-year strategy to push ahead with digitalizing of our national products on the global stage, we must invest
the economy, including the telecoms and information in implementing sustainable technology in our sectors. “The
technology (IT) sectors, has been announced. The 2022-2026 backbone of any sustainable digital economy is a solid soft
Telecommunications, Information Technology and Digital infrastructure which includes networks and telecommunications
Economy Strategy is in line with the objectives of the Economic which facilitate our communication with each other and the world.
Recovery Plan. Details were revealed yesterday during a Press “With the increased use and dependence on data we are focused
conference held at the Isa Cultural Centre in Juffair. Present now on Bahrain’s connections to more international networks
were Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal while also enhancing alternative routes to make communications
Ahmed, Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) chief more resilient.” The Cabinet had earlier approved list of 1,294
executive Mohammed Al Qaed and National Cybersecurity services and tasked a team to ensure their availability online on
Centre chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa. the government portal www.bahrain.bh. Major services, including
“Telecommunications and IT are a priority for the government the issuance of visas, marriage certificates, identity documents
as they are not only important to boost national production and for newborns and post-construction services would also be re-
create jobs but they also play a crucial role in bolstering key engineered. Mr. Kamal highlighted that enhancing the digital
economic sectors such as logistics, financial and tourism, among policies and legal framework was critical to developing the digital
others,” said Mr. Kamal. “The world is transitioning towards a infrastructure whilst also ensuring comprehensive fiber-optics
digital economy and if we want to increase the competitiveness coverage across Bahrain’s residential and commercial areas.

86 JANUARY 2022