Page 88 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain enjoys lowest fiber broadband Prices in GCC

Fiber broadband plans offered by the
operators in Bahrain have the lowest
charges in the GCC, says a study conducted
by Bahrain's Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority (TRA). In addition,
Bahrain's telecom operators compete on a
regional and Arab level for mobile services,
particularly in charges of the high-usage
packages. Bahrain's fixed broadband
charges for high speeds have been reduced
by 67% between 2019 and 2021, according
to the study. With an average mobile
broadband usage at 28GB per month,
at high usage levels of 10GB and more,
Bahrain is more competitive than other
GCC countries. As a result of the reduced
broadband prices and the continued fiber
rollout, the number of homes with fiber
broadband has increased substantially.
Based on the latest market data, 65% of
households in Bahrain have fiber broadband
services, compared to 42% in 2019, noting
an increase of subscriptions by 34%.
Additionally, TRA’s latest Residential Market
Survey report on telecoms services shows
that 100% of respondents have reported
using the Internet, indicating Bahrain’s
growing affordability of Internet services.
Commenting on the findings of the study,
TRA’s General Director, Philip Marnick
stated: “We all want good quality broadband TRA's role in boosting competition is – so all fiber in the kingdom is from the
at an affordable price. It is essential for the evident in the reduction of charges, through same provider – which offers a variety of
TRA to be able to monitor price changes working on significant projects, such as the fiber products to the operators in Bahrain,
and analyze the impact of competition establishment of the National Broadband which enables them to provide advanced
on the telecom services we all use. “The Network, Bahrain Network (BNET) in 2019 broadband services at competitive prices.”

National Cybersecurity Authority Launches CyberIC to Develop Sector in

Saudi Arabia

The CyberIC program is designed to develop the second version of the cybersecurity cybersecurity trainers, fresh graduates,
the skills of more than 10,000 Saudis and challenge and offer programs for chief cybersecurity specialists and law
stimulate the wider domestic cybersecurity information security officers in cooperation enforcement agencies. It will support the
sector in line with international best with prestigious international universities in growth of the cybersecurity industry in the
practices. The first phase of the program the field. To ensure participants are ready to Kingdom by helping more than 60 national
includes a number of initiatives, such as confront the most significant cybersecurity cybersecurity startups. Forty have already
providing training for employees of national challenges, the program offers courses that been launched, while the other 20 will be
authorities working in cybersecurity include virtual exercises that simulate real established through the cybersecurity
and related fields and accelerating cyberattacks and incidents. The program is challenge.
cybersecurity activities to stimulate the based on six main tracks: innovation and
sector. It will also include the launch of entrepreneurship, cybersecurity officers,

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