Page 129 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TRA Bahrain to Host MENA Telecoms and Media Forum

TRA Bahrain will host the
Telecommunications and Media Forum
(TMF) on September 14-15. The event
will host telecom and media regulators
from across the Middle East and for a
two-day forum to discuss the industry’s
priorities and best practices. The TMF is
organized with the International Institute
of Communications (IIC). Speakers from
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UK, USA,
Germany, and many other countries will
provide a high-level regional view on
topics such as digital transformation,
innovation and competition, infrastructure
and connectivity, digital media and on-
demand services, and privacy, safety
and security. Members of civil society
and policymakers will also attend the one of the most connected and advanced a leading role in shaping the future of the
forum. “The telecoms industry in the telecommunications markets in the world telecommunications industry.” Founded
MENA region is rapidly changing with the is proud to host the Telecommunications in 1969, the IIC shapes the global policy
development of new technologies and and Media Forum. The forum will allow agenda for the ICT and digital ecosystem.
services. Regulators must adapt to this participants to learn from each other and Its members believe that the impact of
evolving landscape to ensure innovation discuss effective approaches to the market technological innovation on society should
flourishes and new services are delivered,” challenges we all face. We look forward to be evaluated and openly discussed, and
TRA General Director, Philip Marnick said. presenting Bahrain’s experience as one of that policy and regulation should maximize
“We need to ensure consumers get access the world’s most advanced and competitive public interest and promote innovation and
to the services and features they need markets – with world leading 5G coverage investment.
while being protected on-line. Bahrain, and extensive fiber availability and playing

NCC is Planning to License More Companies to Operate as MVNOs

The Nigerian Communication Commission operator, simple facilities operator, core while tier 5 entrants [for the unified virtual
(NCC) is planning to license more companies facilities operator, virtual aggregator/ operator concessions] are to pay NGN50
to operate as MVNOs in Nigeria. Earlier this enabler and unified virtual operator. The million [USD119,127] non-refundable
week, the authority invited applications regulator added that ‘tier 1-4 entrants are administrative fees prior to negotiations
for the MVNO concessions, which will be expected to pay 5% of the license fees as with the MNOs.’
classified into five different tiers: virtual non-refundable administrative charges,

Government to Offload 10% Stake in

Orange Cote d’Ivoire

The government of Cote d’Ivoire has announced plans to sell
a 9.95% stake in national telco Orange CI, leaving it with a 5%
interest. Agence Ecofin reports that 14.99 million shares will be
sold at XOF9,500 (USD14.77) per share, raising a total of USD221
million for government coffers. 80% of shares will be reserved for
Ivorian nationals. A timetable for the share listing has not yet been
published. Orange Group of France owns 72.52% of Orange CI.

129 JULY-AUGUST 2022