Page 115 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

has invested in establishing an advanced technical infrastructure [the Healthy City award], adding a new international achievement
according to the very best international practices to meet the to the kingdom’s rich track record.” (July 27, 2021) healthcareitnews.com
requirements of this license, which we look forward to opening
wide doors for many future applications." Al-Maraj added. Trust According to the latest 2020 ICT Pricing Trends Report of Measuring
and e-signature services come within the package of servicers Digital Development, issued recently by the International
as per the legislations and laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Telecommunication Union (ITU), Bahrain elevates to the highest
accordance with the provisions of Articles (20) and (21) of the ranking of generations, from Third to Fourth generation. The
Electronic Communications and Transactions Law. E-signature report verifies the variety of influences impacting the pricing levels
services allow conducting and signing transactions electronically for ICT services in a region; however, one governing influence on
and remotely, and promoting and adopting e-signatures as a safe overall affordability is the resilience of a regulatory environment.
and reliable method when conducting transactions and services As found by the ITU study, Bahrain amongst Arab countries, is
electronically. (August31, 2021) TRA Bahrain ranked 2nd for pricings in regard to mobile broadband services,
as it maintains affordable fixed broadband rates yet a large - scale
The Kingdom of Bahrain is set to launch a national digital platform data capacity. In addition, Bahrain’s mobile broadband prices
aimed at serving health facilities, it has emerged. The yet-to- account for 1.51% of GNI p.c., whereas fixed broadband prices
be-named online hub – which will reportedly be accessible via account for 1.82% of GNI p.c, which is below the UN affordability
nhra.bh.munshaat – will fall under the Gulf country’s National target, therefor allowing Bahrain to meet and outperform the
Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), and is due to launch later Sustainable Development Goal target before 2025, holding
on this year. “This system includes many services, including prices below two percent of GNI per capita. In praising exerted
licensing a new facility or branch, changing the classification of efforts, Sh. Nasser Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Acting General
the facility, adding a service, transferring ownership, changing the Director of TRA Bahrain congratulates and tributes the Kingdom’s
address, changing the name, and closing the facility or one of its evolution in regulatory framework to HM King Hamad Bin Isa Al
branches,” NHRA chief executive, Mariam Al Jalahma told GDN Khalifa, and to HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Online. This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) opened Crown Prince and Prime Minister. According to Sh. Nasser, this
its 152nd office, in Manama. Bahrain became the first capital in achievement validates the Kingdom’s advancements in both
the Middle East to be dubbed a “Healthy City” by the WHO earlier the field of telecoms, and excellence of enabling environment
in the year. According to the NHRA, every health facility in Bahrain of digital transformation, valuing the wise leadership's
will have a dedicated page on the platform, allowing it to track guidance in expanding Bahrain and shaping it into a regional
all applications, reports, and violations in one location. The page telecom and ICT hub, seeking to continue efforts to develop the
will also include the validity information of all employee licenses telecommunications sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Sh. Nasser
as well as medical devices. “The electronic shift aims to develop confirms “The regulatory environment's resilience is a significant
the quality and efficiency of services, streamline procedures and facilitator of both ICT adoption and price reduction. Regulators
facilitate access to services,” added Al Jalahma. The Kingdom’s in this sector play a significant role in safeguarding consumers
digital transformation is part of the Bahrain Economic Vision benefits through regulating competitiveness between Operators.
2030, which was first unveiled in 2008. The country is among Regulators also impact market structure and competitiveness
those in Asia with the highest E-Government Development Index through awarding licenses, allocating and designating spectrum,
(EGDI) values, as per a 2020 report by the United Nations. It ranks facilitating interoperability and infrastructure exchange, and
just ahead of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), but behind regulating investment, among other things. A country ascends
the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “The WHO was monitoring the the regulatory ladder to a higher generation of ICT regulation as
response of member states and what was accomplished in its regulatory environment matures.” He added “The pandemic of
Bahrain deserves to be acknowledged,” said WHO representative COVID-19 has demonstrated the critical necessity of connectivity.
and Bahrain Head of Office, Tasnim Atatrah, during the latest WHO This position will only expand in the following years as the globe
office launch on Monday. “Efforts have also been made to ensure continues to cope with impacts of the pandemic and embraces the
the full continuity of essential healthcare services to the people "new reality." However, continued monitoring of the growth of ICT
who require treatment for other health conditions and who also pricing is crucial for quality management to tackle affordability
need to continue receiving the different services,” Atatrah added. gaps.”
“Manama became the first capital in the Middle East to receive (July 14, 2021) tra.org.bh

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission the BTRC high officials admitted poor service quality of mobile
(BTRC) is planning to allocate 450 MHz spectrum to the country's network operators. They also identified lack of enough spectrum
mobile operators in next two years, a BTRC official revealed this against the increasing demand as one of the key reasons behind
in a virtual public hearing. Replying to a question in the hearing, such poor service quality. "We will allocate 450 MHz new spectrum

115 JUN-AUG 2021