Page 149 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

cloud value chain and defines a comprehensive set of policy and retail telecommunications services is an established practice in
regulatory recommendations to stakeholders from the public and some fields, for example reselling telecommunications services
private sectors that are aligned with international laws and best to hotel guests. All resale of telecommunications services must
practices. (July 6, 2022) cra.gov.qa be according to the related amended Class License. Private
telecommunications networks enable corporations and entities
The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) published the in private and government sectors to ensure reliable, flexible,
amended versions of the “Class License for the Resale of Retail and secure communications on site and between sites. Owners
Telecommunications Services” and the “Class License to Own and/or operators of private telecommunications networks must
and/or Operate a Private Telecommunications Network”. The two comply with the provisions of the related amended Class License.
Class Licenses were originally issued in 2011 and were amended The amended Class Licenses provide clarity to service providers,
in 2013. The current amendments aim at updating and enhancing consumers, and all other stakeholders on the scope and terms
the Class Licenses taking into account the establishment of CRA and conditions of the licenses. In particular, the Class License
in 2014 and amendments to the Telecommunications Law in 2017. for the Resale of Retail Telecommunications Services clarifies
According to the Telecommunications Law, a license is required to the list of parties who are eligible to resell telecommunications
resell retail telecommunications services or own and/or operate a services in Qatar, hence limiting the scope for illegal resale
private telecommunications network. The Licensee must comply activities. Any person who resells retail Telecommunications
with the terms and conditions of the appropriate License and Services outside of the scope of the Class License will be
with the Telecommunications Law and applicable regulatory infringing the Telecommunications Law and will be exposed to
framework. The amended licenses supersede all previous versions the criminal sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the
and are effective from the date of their issuance. The resale of Telecommunications Law. (July 5, 2022) cra.gov.qa

Saudi Arabia

The Communications and Information Technology Commission that the policies proposed in the document are in accordance with
(CITC), in collaboration with IEEE Future Networks Initiative, all relevant regulations in the Kingdom. (August 1, 2022) www.citc.gov.sa
launched a global competition on Non-Terrestrial Networks
(NTN), which aims at supporting research and innovation in the The Communications and Information Technology Commission
field of future communications networks. CITC and IEEE call (CITC), in collaboration with IEEE Future Networks Initiative,
upon students and junior scientists to submit scientific and launched a global competition on Non-Terrestrial Networks
research papers in the field of NTN by 1st of September 2022. The (NTN), which aims at supporting research and innovation in the
scientific papers should provide innovative ideas and aspects of field of future communications networks. CITC and IEEE call
the NTN for Beyond fifth-generation (B5G) and 6G Networks. The upon students and junior scientists to submit scientific and
submitted papers will be evaluated, and accordingly Ten invited/ research papers in the field of NTN by 1st of September 2022. The
selected applicants will be hosted to present their ideas during the scientific papers should provide innovative ideas and aspects of
“Connecting the World from the Skies” Forum which will be held in the NTN for Beyond fifth-generation (B5G) and 6G Networks. The
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 8-10 November 2022. Furthermore, grand submitted papers will be evaluated, and accordingly Ten invited/
prizes will be awarded to the top three papers. selected applicants will be hosted to present their ideas during the
(August 4, 2022) www.citc.gov.sa “Connecting the World from the Skies” Forum which will be held in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 8-10 November 2022. Furthermore, grand
The Communications and Information Technology Commission prizes will be awarded to the top three papers. (July 30, 2022) citc.gov.sa
(CITC) has called on the public to provide their feedback on the
“Competition Regulations for Digital Content Platforms”. This is The Communications and Information Technology Commission
part of the Commission’s efforts to regulate competition in the (CITC) in collaboration with International Telecommunication
Kingdom’s digital content market, and to create a clear regulatory Union (ITU) and Saudi Space Commission (SSC) are hosting the
framework promoting fair competition among digital content 3-day international forum on “Connecting the World from the
platforms. The document is based on an analysis of digital Skies”. The forum aims at exploring the rapid evolution of Non-
platform markets to identify the problems and risks related to Terrestrial Networks (NTN), which will take place in Riyadh on 8-10
competition. In addition to development of new tools, policies, November 2022. The forum brings together global experts in radio-
and recommendations to prevent anti-competitive behavior, communication and space industry innovators, researchers, ICT
this document also incorporates the long-term economic and and technology stakeholders, as well as spectrum policymakers
investment benefits of promoting fair competition for both from national regulators and other relevant international bodies.
consumers and the wider sector. The document aims to set the In addition, the forum will address the contribution of NTN,
framework for fair competition regulations among digital content which will be deployed in atmospheric layers and outer space,
platforms in line with international best practices. It is also ensured to provide telecommunication services in the air, sea and land.

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