Page 88 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

company generated Tk 37.55 crore in revenue in the fiscal year the regulatory and licensing guidelines on satellite operations, the
2019-2020 by providing services to 33 TV stations. Against the commission mentioned that it would issue licenses for a period of
earnings, the company’s operating expense was Tk 20.38 crore in 15 years. Under the guidelines, the local and foreign companies
the fiscal year under consideration. In the fiscal year 2018-2019, would be get license from the commission. The licenses would
the BSCL incurred Tk 14.78 crore in operating losses and in FY provide direct to home (DTH), cable TV, backhaul connectivity and
2019-20, it made Tk 17.17 crore in operating profits. Meanwhile, emergency telecommunication, satellite internet for broadband
the government has initiated a move to launch another satellite services, digital services, VSAT or VSAT hub services and any
by 2023. To this end, the BSCL on January 19, 2021 assigned other services approved by the commission.
multinational consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory (January 11, 2022) newagebd.net
as a consultant for the launch of the country’s second satellite. In

Egypt

The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has issued also helps with enforcing the state’s policy of Industry 4.0 and
the regulatory framework for providing Internet of Things (IoT) foster digital information by establishing a large number of
services in Egypt. IoT is deemed one of the most important sophisticated systems operated via IoT technologies across
mainstays of Industry 4.0, operating major systems as well as different sectors. These technologies would also contribute
digital services of smart cities, including smart home, smart to mechanizing business cycles and providing sophisticated
meter, and smart transportation. In fact, this step comes in line e-services to citizens. Al-Gamal, has further pointed out that the
with the state’s strategy to foster digital transformation across regulatory framework to provide IoT services was adopted and
its different sectors and polarize as well as increase investments approved by the NTRA in conjunction with Egypt’s 2030 Vision,
in this field. Moreover, it aims to support the state’s future plans which entails the foundation of a number of cities similar to the
to establish further smart cities. To this end, the NTRA studied New Administrative Capital. Such a framework seeks to allow the
the optimum international modules and practices with respect creation of a number of modern smart systems in smart cities
to IoT services. Additionally, meetings and hearing sessions are and communities. It also helps with the transformation from
currently being arranged by the NTRA with a number of local as traditional to modern smart systems to expedite and facilitate the
well as global organizations operating in the field to figure out process of e-service provision. IoT services is a term that refers
the best regulatory policies applicable in international markets to all equipment interconnected via telecom networks, where data
as well as fitting Egypt’s telecom market. Such a framework is exchanged to fulfil the requirements and needs of citizens in all
was actually prepared and approved to act as a regulatory tool life aspects. IoT apps are also diversified according to different
facilitating IoT service procedures. Furthermore, Hossam Al- aspects of usage, including end-user, commercial, and industrial
Gamal, the Executive President of the NTRA, has declared that infrastructure, as well as government activities.
the new regulatory framework aims to polarize investments (January 13, 2022) dailynewsegypt.com
to establish IoT networks and sophisticated app platforms. It

Iraq

The Ministry of Communications announced, that it has received with the tripartite agreement between Iraq, The Kingdom of Jordan
offers from a French company to build the Iraqi satellite, while and the Arab Republic of Egypt," he said, stressing that "the
noting that the financial cost of its construction has not yet been experience of Egyptians, French and all companies that contribute
determined. "The offers made by Iraqi, Arab and international to the development of the telecommunications situation and the
companies specialized in the manufacturing and developing Iraqi satellite can be used." "The satellite will benefit the revenues
the Iraqi satellite are still continuing for the Informatics and of the Ministry of Communications by participating through space
Telecommunications public company," ministry spokesman Raad frequencies, communication network frequencies.”
al-Mashhadani told The Iraqi News Agency (INA). "There are also (January 12, 2022) ina.iq
Egyptian companies that have submitted their offers in accordance

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