Page 108 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Egypt

The Egyptian National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority is Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Information and Communications
considering licensing mobile operators to launch the eSIM service Technology (ICT), attended the closing ceremony of the Artificial
in the near future. This step comes after all telecom companies Intelligence (AI) Capacity Building Initiative round one. The initiative
have finished preparing their networks and conducting operational was held on at Giza CREATIVA Innovation Hub, in collaboration
tests, to ensure that the service is fully provided to customers in with the ICT Ministry and Dell Technologies – Egypt, according
the local market. The National Telecommunications Regulatory to a press release. Batch one included 500 students from Cairo
Authority is scheduled to announce, soon, the details of the University, Ain Shams University, the American University in
regulatory determinants and technical requirements for launching Cairo (AUC), the German University in Cairo (GUC), as well as the
the service in Egypt, to provide the latest technical and advanced Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport
solutions to improve the services provided to mobile users in (AASTMT). During his speech, Talaat noted that the initiative
Egypt. The eSIM service allows customers to keep the line without focuses on the ICT field, particularly AI. He indicated that Egypt
the need to put the traditional physical chip in their mobile devices, held the seventh position on the Global AI Index by Tortoise Media.
which contributes to saving the cost incurred by the customer to The country also climbed 17 spots on the AI skills index. Talaat
obtain services, and improves the customer's experience in using highlighted the Arab Republic’s efforts to promote the deployment
more than one line on the same mobile device. It also allows users of AI. The country plans to establish a national council that brings
to store multiple profiles on one device, with two or more numbers, together key players in the AI industry. The Minister also underlined
and switch between them without any hassle. According to data that the key to success in the ICT field is harnessing technology
from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, to make an impact and tackle society's challenges in different
the number of mobile subscribers reached 102.9 million by the sectors. Talaat pointed out that the Ministry develops CREATIVA
end of April 2023, compared to 96.27 million subscribers during Innovation Hubs to boost the ICT sector, adding that six hubs were
the same month last year, with an annual growth rate of 6.78%, initially established, and in two years, there were 12 hubs. By the
and compared to 102.77 million subscribers in March of this year, end of 2023, there will be 20 hubs across 20 governorates in the
with a monthly growth rate of 0.13 %. (August 16, 2023) www.egypttoday.com African country, according to the Minister. (July 26, 2023) www.zawya.com

Iraq

The Minister of Telecommunications and representatives from product, with the minister highlighting the government’s goal of
SpaceX met to discuss the introduction of the latter’s Starlink improving service quality and offering services at the lowest
satellite-based communications services in Iraq. The parties possible prices. (July 17, 2023) Shafaq News
discussed the technical, legal and security elements of such a

Jordan

Jordan celebrated “Jordan IPv6 National Day”, a stepping that surpasses other countries. This achievement was made
stone towards its digital future. Co-hosted by the RIPE Network possible by the close cooperation between the RIPE NCC, TRC, and
Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) and Jordan's Telecommunications mobile operators in Jordan. At the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Nael
Regulatory Commission (TRC), the event marks an emblematic Adwan, TRC vice chairman of the board of commissioners, stated,
achievement in implementing the Internet Protocol version "Today, we announce Jordan as an IPv6-enabled country. While we
6 (IPv6) countrywide. The National IPv6 Day equips mobile are at the onset, we are relentless in our pursuit to ensure future
operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and a broad spectrum readiness." He further assured the audience of TRC's commitment
of Internet stakeholders with the technical acumen necessary for to fulfilling Jordan's digital aspirations by facilitating the transition
a seamless IPv6 deployment. This initiative by TRC and RIPE NCC to a robust digital economy equipped with advanced network
aims at highlighting the significance of IPv6 for bolstering Internet technologies such as IPv6. In his opening address, Dr. Chafic
security and economic growth. Jordan is currently leading in IPv6 Chaya, Public Policy and Government Affairs Regional Manager
connectivity in the region with exceptional speed and performance at the RIPE NCC, applauded Jordan's progressive initiatives

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