Page 107 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

event was attended by representatives of leading Internet service ever-evolving Internet and its security landscape." Chafic Chaya,
providers, telecom operators, and RIPE NCC members. The RIPE NCC Regional Communications Manager, highlighted their
workshops delved into a range of topics, including IPv6 addressing commitment to facilitating the sustainable development of the
plans, route reflectors, policy, filtering, route selection, and the Internet and providing technical expertise on critical issues. Chaya
crucial security aspects of the protocol. Interactive exercises thanked TRA Bahrain for their unwavering support, remarking, "We
were presented at the workshops to further develop participants’ are grateful to TRA Bahrain for their continued support for the
expertise in these critical areas. IPv6 is essential to the future development and resilient growth of Bahrain's Internet and digital
scalability and growth of the Internet, whereas secure and stable infrastructure.” (July 17, 2023) www.tra.org.bh
Internet routing (BGP) is necessary to facilitate smooth Internet
operations. Philip Marnick, General Director of TRA Bahrain, said, The Bahraini government is planning to award spectrum in the
“Workshops help collaboration between network operators and 700MHz, 1400MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz and 3.8GHz bands via an
other industry stakeholders, allowing everyone to share best auction. Philip Marnick, General Director of the Telecommunications
practices and develop new ways of working. Additionally, they Regulatory Authority (TRA), was cited as saying: ‘The spectrum will
provide an opportunity to share knowledge and experience, which enable the industry to provide services with greater capacity and
is invaluable in improving the quality and reliability of networks. wider coverage and to support new wireless technologies. We’re
Sharing experiences enables, network operators to ensure that going to start the auction process this year as we think there will be
their networks are secure, reliable, and efficient, whilst also demand and an auction is the best way of ensuring people get what
helping to drive innovation and economic growth within the they want and are ready to pay for it.’ The executive also added that
Kingdom.” Mohamed Alnoaimi, Director of Technology & Networks spectrum in the 3.8GHz-4.2GHz band (C-Band spectrum) will be
Security at TRA Bahrain, emphasized the significance of the made available to organizations or industries on a licensed basis:
workshops in enhancing the skills and knowledge of operators. ‘Bahrain’s got 100% 5G coverage but there’s more to be done for
He stated, "The capacity-building workshops conducted by RIPE the industrial sector and by providing private 5G network spectrum,
NCC in collaboration with TRA Bahrain have been instrumental we enable some of the things like digitizing the ports and other
in equipping operators with the expertise needed to thrive in the sectors of the economy.’ (June 20, 2023) GDNonline

Bangladesh

The number of internet subscribers in Bangladesh rose by about information on a quarterly basis. The BTRC calculates broadband
12 lakh in May from a month earlier thanks to an increase in the subscriber information through market analysis, consultation and
country's mobile subscriber base. With this, the total number of in- data collection from almost all internet service providers (ISPs).
ternet subscribers has risen to 12.76 crore, according to data of the However, the ISPs said they saw a positive trend in May. "Customer
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). acquisition was positive in May and June," said Md Aminul Hakim,
This is the fourth consecutive month since February that the inter- chief executive officer at Amber IT, a top broadband internet ser-
net subscriber base has grown. Earlier in February, the number of vice provider. However, it cannot be determined how many individ-
internet subscribers saw its first rebound after six months thanks uals use the internet with the BTRC's data since many people use
to a jump in mobile internet users. Then in March, broadband user multiple SIMs. According to Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics, a
numbers also underwent growth. But in May, the increase in mo- project run by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 41 per cent of
bile internet subscribers solely contributed to the growth. With the people in the country aged above five use the internet. The survey
12 lakh new customers, the total number of mobile internet sub- pointed out the digital divide continues to exist in Bangladesh, un-
scribers stands at 11.55 crore. Officials of mobile network opera- derscoring disparities in internet access between rural and urban
tors said the subscriber numbers for mobile internet have surged areas, while the gender digital divide is also palpable. Of the users,
due to the growing popularity of diverse digital services beyond only 37.1 per cent are from villages, highlighting the persistence
social media. The increasing presence of various digital platforms of the digital divide among rural villages compared to urban cities.
has led to a significant rise in mobile subscriptions, reflecting an While urban areas enjoy better infrastructure and connectivity, ru-
evolving scene in the market, they said. "We are now observing a ral villages face infrastructural constraints, including inadequate
new trend among customers," said Shahed Alam, chief corporate broadband coverage, and a lack of technological resources, ac-
and regulatory officer at Robi Axiata Ltd. "They are now using the cording to experts. Industry people and experts say women face
internet for different types of digital services, such as over-the-top additional challenges in accessing the internet compared to their
media, gaming etc. This is giving a boost to the subscriber base," male counterparts, resulting in a gender gap in internet usage and
he said. "Earlier, mobile internet subscribers generally used our digital skills. Due to some cultural and traditional beliefs or norms,
service for social media and YouTube," Alam added. Meanwhile, a gender gap in internet access persists, they said. Of the inter-
broadband internet subscribers remained unchanged at 1.20 crore net users in Bangladesh, 47 per cent are men and 34 per cent are
in May. It cannot be ascertained if the subscribers increased or women, according to the Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics pub-
decreased as the BTRC provides broadband internet subscriber lished last month. (July 6, 2023) www.thedailystar.net

107 JULY-AUGUST 2023