Page 92 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

"…for its part, the authority will provide it with all the appropriate immediate effect with CEO Ralph Mupita saying that operating
capabilities to enable it to reach a wide segment of subscribers, there had become "intolerable". MTN Group has also exited other
by allowing it to offer promotions in the first stage of launch" Middle East markets as part of a new strategy to focus on Africa.
However, after more than a decade of war, the plans are unlikely Ethiopia has made similar moves to open up its telecoms market,
to be straight forward. Syria is currently served by Syriatel and moving from monopoly to duopoly over the last year – although
MTN Syria, however MTN Group confirmed in its June financial the introduction of a third operator was put on hold over recent
results that MTN Syria was "placed under judicial guardianship weeks.
in February 2021". It confirmed its market exit in August with (January 11, 2022) capacitymedia.com

Turkey

Turkey Wealth Fund (TWF) has approached banks holding a Turkish operator Turkcell is actively seeking strategic foreign
majority stake in Turk Telekom (TT) to finance a planned buyout of partnerships for its subsidiaries, its CEO Murat Erkan told
the telco, Bloomberg reports. The sovereign fund is in preliminary media during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las
talks with the banking consortium – represented by a special Vegas. ‘We have opened up our subsidiaries Paycell, Bip [OTT
purpose vehicle (SPV), LYY Telekomunikasyon – and wants to communications] and Superonline [fiber broadband operations]
secure a loan from the banks to buy their collective 55% stake to investors. Funds from the United States, Asia and the Middle
in TT, according to unnamed sources close to the matter. The East have shown interest in our companies. We are not looking for
stake could be worth around USD1.4 billion based on its current financial investors, but partners to speed up expansion abroad,’
market price, data compiled by Bloomberg show. In a statement he said, adding that individual stakes of up to 10% could be
to Bloomberg, TWF confirmed negotiations with the banks are offered to foreign partners in the coming months. Turkcell has
ongoing, without providing further details. authorized JP Morgan to find investors for payment processing
(January 28, 2022) commsupdate.com company Paycell, with talks ongoing with around ten potential
partners. (January 11, 2022) Daily Hurriyet

United Arab Emirates

With regards to the circulated news on the suspension of The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory
some flights to certain US airports due to 5G deployment, Authority (TDRA) has announced the launch of the "UAE Verify"
the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory platform, which allows government and private entities to verify
Authority (TDRA) clarifies that this issue is exclusively related to the authenticity of digital documents issued by government
the US airports referred to, as new spectrum frequencies have authorities on an immediate basis and without the need for
been allocated to 5G that differ from the frequencies designated original hard copy or true copy. The "UAE Verify" platform uses
for use in our region, and there is no disruption or interference blockchain technology, which is a shared immutable real-
in the UAE between 5G networks and air navigation systems. time ledger for recording the history of financial transactions,
Noting that the 5G stations in the UAE have been installed in contracts, and different documents. Blockchain technology
multiple places for many years, and no negative impact on the helps in regulating data and digital documents, verifying their
safety of air navigation systems has occurred. TDRA bases its 5G authenticity, sharing information and documents, and protecting
plans on studies that take into account the safety of frequencies privacy. The platform allows users to convert their documents
and potential impact on other sectors. TDRA also considers to authenticated digital documents with a high level of privacy
the decisions and procedures approved by the International and security. In his speech at the launch event, H.E. Eng. Majed
Telecommunication Union (ITU) in this regard. TDRA confirms Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications
that it is coordinating in this matter with the General Civil Aviation and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, said: "With the
Authority, which in turn coordinates and communicates with launch of the "UAE Verify" platform, we take a new important step
the International Civil Aviation Organization and European and on the path of comprehensive digital transformation using future
American aviation safety regulatory agencies to ensure the technologies such as blockchain, which is the technical basis
highest levels of safety and security in this context. for the "UAE Verify" platform. We are happy about this platform,
(January 19, 2022) tdra.gov.ae which was the result of intensive cooperation between TDRA and

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