Page 116 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

to operators, and hope that by the end of 2022 their service quality and reliable access to voice and data traffic, network usage, and
will improve further," Brigadier General Shahidul Alam, Director quality information as well as BTRC's revenue. This will greatly
General (Spectrum) of the BTRC, told the hearing. Clients and improve the BTRC's policy-making system and make reporting
journalists raised questions and lodged complaints regarding to the government more efficient and faster. Speaking on the
poor service quality, slow internet speed, and call drop etc in occasion, the minister said the signing of the agreement is
the virtual hearing. Replying to the complaints, BTRC Chairman another milestone to the journey of building a Digital Bangladesh.
Shyam Sunder Shikder said they were working relentlessly to The monitoring system will contribute hugely to monitor telecom
improve the service." Two committees were formed to investigate services and enhance its standard, he said. It will be possible to
the reasons behind poor service quality." The BTRC said it had immediately verify the actual condition of the telecommunication
resolved 60 percent complaints raised in 2019, which was the last network in urban as well as rural areas, islands, haors, coastal
hearing before the Covid-19 break out. Replying to a question, the areas, and remote areas. (August 9, 2021) developingtelecoms.com
BTRC chairman said the regulator would not allow a few internet
service providers (ISPs) to dominate the market and suppress The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission
other small ISPs. "If we get specific complaints, we'll certainly (BTRC) has sought citizens’ and expert’s opinions, suggestions,
take measure regarding those," he added. BTRC Director General and recommendations regarding the new draft guidelines
Brigadier General Nasim Parvez said service quality does not for telecom e-waste management. The use of technology is
depend on operators' service only, but it also depends on quality constantly increasing in Bangladesh, at the same time, the
of users' handsets. (August 25. 2021) thefinancialexpress.com.bd production of telecommunication products is increasing along
with the import of telecommunication products. The result has
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission been e-waste management. To ensure that e-waste management
(BTRC) is going to install a telecom monitoring system at a cost and recycling is done in an environmentally friendly manner, the
of Tk77.65 crore (USD 9.13 million) to oversee the activities Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken
of mobile operators and improve the quality of mobile phone steps to formulate “Telecom E-Waste Management and Recycling
services. The regulatory authority has signed a purchase System Guidelines”. Following this, five types of products have
agreement with Canada-based international company TKC been included in the draft guidelines under e-waste. The BTRC
Telecom. Under the agreement, TKC Telecom has to install a has sought public awareness and opinion on the guideline.
telecom monitoring system within 180 days. Minister of Posts The draft directive states that e-waste management must be
and Telecommunications Mustafa Jabbar and Secretary of approved by the commission before it can be managed and that
Posts and Telecommunications Md Afzal Hossain addressed e-waste management organizations cannot conduct activities
the function as the chief guests. BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder in populated or locality areas. The draft guidelines further state
Sikder presided over the function. According to the presentation that telecom equipment collected through electronic waste
given at the event, once the system is implemented, the process management cannot be marketed in the country as a refurbished
of collecting and reporting information from mobile operators will device in any way. The BTRC said that feedback on the draft
be automated. At the same time, it will be possible to observe all guidelines would be received by 5 pm on July 20. Feedback can
the necessary information in real-time. This will ensure regular be sent via e-mail. (June 26, 2021) techobserver.in

Egypt

The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has adopted and could be convenient for the Egyptian market. The regulatory
the regulatory framework for establishing data centers and framework was prepared and approved to serve as a tool for
providing cloud computing services. This step is in line with the organizing and facilitating work procedures for data centers and
state’s strategy to support the digital transformation process providing the necessary facilities for investment in this field.
and attract and increase investments in this field, in addition This regulatory framework aims to attract giant data center
to maximizing the benefit of Egypt’s geographical location and companies to the Egyptian telecom market. This will contribute
enhancing its strategic position as a regional and global focal to attracting investments in the field of cloud computing and
point for data traffic and a gateway connecting Africa and the electronic content, and the subsequent provision of new job
Middle East to Europe, making it one of the most promising opportunities in the field of establishing and operating data
markets in the rapidly growing field of data centers. Moreover, centers and associated facilities. This would support the state’s
NTRA has studied the best international models and practices plans for digital transformation and providing electronic services
in the field of establishing data centers and providing cloud provided to citizens, through the applications provided by data
computing services, as well as holding meetings and hearings centers through which electronic transactions can be carried out
with local and international companies working in this field to in a simpler and faster way using quick access to content hosted
find out the best regulatory policies applicable in global markets within data centers in Egypt. (August 22, 2021) dailynewsegypt.com

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