Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The UAE Chairs the ITU Council Virtual Consultations of Councilors

The Virtual Consultations of Councilors
of the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) Council, which was chaired
by the United Arab Emirates, concluded
recently. Eng. Saif Bin Ghelaita, Director
Technology Development Affairs at
the Telecommunications and Digital
Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA),
chaired the Consultation sessions, which
were held through a virtual platform
supported by the UAE since the beginning
of the pandemic, over the past year. The
UAE's chairmanship of the consultations
enhances the UAE's global leadership
in the ICT sector. It also reflects the
support of UAE leadership for Emirati
competencies and its keenness to
highlight their capabilities in managing of the next stage, and the need for global during the Plenipotentiary Conference
and chairing one of the most important cooperation and coordination to improve 2018, which was hosted by the UAE. This
international meetings. Commenting on ICT services in different countries, given the achievement came as a culmination of
the consultations, Eng. Saif Bin Ghelaita, role of these services in achieving people’s the UAE great efforts in the ICT sector,
Director Technology Development Affairs happiness and ensuring their safety and and in recognition of the distinguished
at TDRA and chairman of the ITU Council security.” Eng. Bin Ghelaita added: “The capabilities of the UAE people, who have
Virtual Consultations of Councilors, UAE was one of the most successful proven their competence in all scientific,
said: “These consultations come at the countries in responding to the pandemic, economic and cultural fields. The UAE
global recovery stage of the pandemic, as it maintained the pace of normal life, joined the ITU Council in 2006, which
as the workflow has begun to return to its and moved to alternative solutions easily includes 48 countries, including 7 Arab
normal form in various aspects of life. The and smoothly. The crisis came to confirm countries. Countries are nominated for
world was able to overcome the effects the rightful plans and strategies adopted membership in the ITU Council during
of the pandemic due to the collaboration by the UAE under the directives of the the Plenipotentiary Conference, which is
of various sectors supported by the wise leadership. Today, we are ready to held once every four years, during which
ICT sector, which provided alternative, share our successful experience with all the door for nominations for the Council
practical and immediate solutions that countries, and contribute to the happiness membership is opened, in addition to the
contributed to maintaining the safety of of all societies, in compliance with the five leadership positions in the ITU and
people and the continuation of providing motto of the United Nations (Leave No the nomination of members of the Radio
basic services in various sectors. In the One Behind).” Eng. Saif Bin Ghelaita was Regulations Board.
meeting, we discussed the requirements elected as Vice-Chair of the ITU Council

TPG Telecom to Acquire Additional 5G Spectrum in 3.6 GHz Band

TPG Telecom has entered into an holdings to 65 MHz after the transaction. our mobile and home wireless customers,
agreement to acquire additional 5G As this spectrum is immediately adjacent this additional mid-band 5G spectrum
spectrum holdings in the 3.6 GHz band to our existing 5G spectrum holdings, will mean a significant boost in speeds
from Dense Air. Completion of the it can be deployed quickly and without through increased capacity. This spectrum
transaction will increase TPG Telecom’s significant cost. ”TPG Telecom is rolling acquisition will enhance our 5G customer
3.6 GHz spectrum holdings from 60 MHz out its 5G network in major cities, targeting experience and set us up for future
to 90 MHz in Adelaide and 95 MHz in 85 per cent population coverage in Sydney, customer growth as we roll out our 5G
Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. In Sydney Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and home internet service to meet customer
and Melbourne, TPG Telecom will acquire Canberra by the end of this year. Iñaki demand for NBN alternatives."
5 MHz of 3.6 GHz spectrum, increasing its Berroeta, CEO, TPG Telecom said, "For

95 JUN-AUG 2021