Page 56 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia Decides to Mandate USB-C As Common Smartphone Charger by

2025

Saudi Arabia has decided to standardize Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality sector through reducing electronic waste
charging ports for mobile phones and Organization and the Communications, by approximately 15 tons annually. The
electronic devices effective from Jan.1, Space and Technology Commission. They mandatory enforcement of the decision will
2025. The USB Type-C will be the lone stressed that the decision aims to improve take place in two phases. The first phase will
standardized connector. The mandatory the experience of users of connectors in begin on January 1, 2025 and it will include
stages of unifying charging ports for the Kingdom and not to incur additional mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras,
mobile phones and electronic devices in costs. This is also to provide high-quality e-readers, portable video game devices,
the Saudi market were announced by the shipping and data transfer technology, in headphones, earphones, amplifiers, and
addition to supporting the principles of keyboards and computer pointer devices
environmental sustainability by reducing (mouse), in addition to portable navigation
the volume of electronic waste. The systems, portable speakers, and wireless
decision will contribute to reducing the routers. The second phase will start on
amount of annual domestic consumption April 1, 2026 and will include laptops. It is
of chargers and charging cables for scheduled to start obligating companies
mobile phones and electronic devices and suppliers to standardize the types of
by more than 2.2 million units annually, charging ports from the year 2025 to be
and saving spending from consumers in USB Type-C, according to the technical
the Kingdom to more than SR170 million. and administrative requirements stipulated
This also helps to achieve the Kingdom’s in the technical regulations and related
goals for sustainability in the technology standards.

PTA, PITB Inaugurate IXP to Boost Digital Connectivity

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority greater access to digital services and the ceremony also included PTA Director
(PTA) and the Punjab Information enhance network efficiency. PITB Chairman General CVD Dr. Muhammad Mukaram
Technology Board (PITB) inaugurated the Faisal Yousaf said that launching IXP Khan, PITB Chief Information Officer Sajjad
Lahore Internet Exchange Point (IXP) to locally would reduce dependency on Ghani, Regional Director ISOC Naveed
boost digital connectivity; this state-of-the- international data routes. Additionally, it Haq, IXP Specialist at ISOC Aftab Siddiqui,
art facility stands poised to revolutionize would ensure rather reliable and robust APNIC Director General Paul Wilson and
digital connectivity across the region. internet connectivity. Key speakers at JPRS GM Kazuhiro Kitamura.
PTA Chairman Major General Hafeez-ur-
Rehman (R), PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf,
industry leaders, government officials,
vital stakeholders and prominent Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) attended the
inauguration ceremony while international
stakeholders namely Internet Society
(ISOC), Asia Pacific Network Information
Centre (APNIC) and Japan Registry Services
(JPRS) attended the event remotely. The
launch event featured presentations and
insightful speeches from key industry
figures, emphasizing the IXP’s potential to
enhance digital infrastructure and support
the growth of Pakistan’s internet economy.
Speaking at the event, the PTA Chairman
emphasized the critical importance of the
Lahore IXP, highlighting its multifaceted
benefits. He lauded the IXP’s potential
to galvanize economic growth, facilitate

56 JULY-AUGUST 2023