Page 121 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman

In the first half of 2021, the Telecommunications Regulatory 357 during the first half of the year, and OMR 17,000 were returned
Authority (TRA) received 671 complaints against telecom services in favor of consumers. (August 15, 2021) timesofoman.com
and recovered OMR 136,000 to subscribers. The authority issued
a statement on the complaints and grievances index for telecom Six companies have been seized by the Telecommunications
services that it received during the first half of the year, where Regulatory Authority (TRA), for practicing unlicensed activities.
the data showed that the total billing complaints and financial "The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority seized six
obligations for mobile telecom services was at a rate of 1062 violating companies in the field of postal services during its
complaints per 100,000 subscribers, and technical complaints inspection tours. The violations were related to practices like
and service availability at a rate of 2,263 complaints per charging fees without obtaining a license from the authority, "
100,000 subscribers. The data also indicated that the number of TRA said in a statement. (August 8, 2021) timesofoman.com
grievances filed with TRA about the mobile telecommunications
service amounted to 314 grievances during six months of the The National Center for Statistics and Information will be carrying
year, at a rate of 15 grievances per 100,000 subscribers, which out a survey among users of mobile phones and landlines. A
resulted in the recovery of OMR 119,000 in favor of consumers. statement issued online by Oman News Agency (ONA) said: "The
Regarding fixed telecommunication services, the data issued by National Center for Statistics and Information is carrying out a
the authority indicated that the number of complaints received satisfaction survey of users of mobile phones and landlines
by companies regarding billing and financial obligations was at a telecommunication services in the Sultanate, in cooperation with
rate of 906 complaints per 100,000 subscribers, and at a rate of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, from Sunday until
3,122 complaints per 100,000 with regard to service quality and July 12, with the aim of providing some indications about the level
technical problems. The total of grievances that were filed with and quality of these services."
the authority in relation to fixed telecommunications service was (June 13, 2021) timesofoman.com

Pakistan

In accordance with Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) in the country. In a statement, the authority said it had invited
Regulations 2021, PTA has issued MDM authorization to Lucky the applications under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-
Motor Corporation Limited for manufacturing of Samsung brand organization) Act, 1996 and the policy guidelines issued by the
mobile devices. The company had applied for authorization to government for those interested in providing services of 1,800
setup mobile device manufacturing plant in Karachi, Pakistan MHz and 2,100 MHz bands. The information memorandum
where it will manufacture Samsung brand mobile devices. containing the terms and conditions, requirements and
The authorization to manufacture Samsung Mobile devices in standards is available on the PTA website. The release of the
Pakistan is a landmark achievement and will further revolutionize NGMS spectrum in the country would contribute to the overall
the vibrant mobile manufacturing ecosystem in the country economic growth through digitalization and improve the quality
by ensuring presence of major local and foreign players in the of broadband services. During a recent meeting, the Economic
market. This is possible only due to the conducive policies of the Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet had turned down
Government of Pakistan in its “Digital Pakistan” endeavor. PTA a proposal to revise the criteria for the release of additional
has so far issued MDM authorizations to 25 foreign and local spectrum to telecom companies. The ECC had decided to
companies for the production of mobile devices (2G/3G/4G) auction the additional spectrum in line with the past practice and
locally. Mobile devices manufactured by these companies shall complete the auction by the end of September 2021. It observed
not only be sold in the country but will also be exported to other that the recommendations of the committee, headed by the
competitive markets of the region and beyond. The device Adviser to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity,
manufacturing plants shall be instrumental in creating new job did not cover exchange risk and payment in installments by
opportunities as well as enabling affordability of mobile devices the operators. The ECC had considered recommendations of
for Pakistani users. The detail of all MDM Authorization holders is the committee for “Release of NGMS Spectrum in Pakistan for
available on PTA website. (August 10, 2021) pta.gov.pk Improvement of Mobile Broadband Services amid Covid-19”.
The Information Technology and Telecommunication Ministry
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has invited informed the ECC that another committee on the payment
applications from local and foreign bidders for the auction of terms for spectrum price/license fee had also deliberated on the
additional next generation mobile services (NGMS) spectrum “Issues of Cellular Mobile Industry for Digital Enablement”. The

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