Page 119 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman TRA: 5G Networks Affected by External Radio Interferences

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, (TRA), has issued are other countries in the region that suffer also from the radio
a statement on radio interference in 5G networks, which has interference on the fifth generation networks of its operators."
significantly affected the efficiency of the 5G networks in some "The solution requires a concerted effort and coordination to
regions of the Sultanate. A statement issued online by Oman News quickly find the source of the interference," he added.
Agency (ONA), said: "The fifth generation (5G) networks affiliated
with Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) and Oman
Qatar Telecom (Ooredoo) are affected by transborder radio
interference, which has significantly affected the efficiency in some
regions of the Sultanate." Eng. Yousef bin Abdullah al- Balushi,
TRA Vice- President for Spectrum Affairs, stated: "The TRA issued
a notice to inform users in the Sultanate that the 5G networks
of mobile operators in the Sultanate (Omantel and Ooredoo) are
affected due to external radio interference." He added, "TRA will
discuss the latest developments at a meeting of the Technical
Committee of the Technical Office of Communications of the
GCC General Secretariat to be held on June 23rd and 24th.There

GSMA, ETNO Urge EU to Back 5G For Economic Revival

Trade associations the GSMA and ETNO set out a list of policies
they believe the European Union (EU) should adopt to aid post-
pandemic economic recovery, including timely spectrum auctions
and support for new infrastructure models including open RAN.
In a joint statement to EU leaders, the organizations detailed a
number of priorities to help the fixed and mobile industries support
the development of a strong digital ecosystem in the wake of the
recession brought about by the Covid-19 (coronavirus) crisis.
They noted such moves would be “instrumental to lift workers
and businesses out of the current crisis through sustainable and
lasting economic growth” adding there was an opportunity for the
EU to accelerate progress in sectors including cloud and edge
computing. Among the lengthy wish list was the need for supportive
measures to aid 5G and fiber rollout, including appropriate pricing
and coverage obligations for spectrum licenses. The groups also strengthening the security of the equipment and unleash more
urged support for RAN sharing agreements; national incentives network innovation”. Outside of telecoms infrastructure matters,
for fiber rollout; allowing “innovative infrastructure solutions” the groups used the opportunity to highlight the importance of
including cloud, edge and quantum computing; and measures increasing uptake of new technologies, the vital role of digital
to tackle red tape and expenses around public site access. initiatives for education and once again underline the damage
Continuing industry support for open RAN, the organizations done by 5G misinformation. Across Europe, the GSMA and ETNO
noted such initiatives “have the potential to support Europe’s noted there had been 180 arson attacks on telephone antennas in
multi-vendor approach, while reducing deployment costs, further 11 countries as of 2 July.

Mobile Operators Issued Formal Warning Over QoS Failings

The Regulation Authority for Telecoms and noted it had been compelled to take action Communications, the three companies
Post (ARTP) has issued formal warnings after a recent audit revealed ‘failings have been given 30 days to meet agreed
to Senegal’s three major mobile network which negatively impact the electronic QoS obligations for mobile voice and data
operators (MNOs) – Orange, Free and communications sector and cause services or face sanctions.
Expresso – for failing to meet quality of enormous disruption to consumers’.
service (QoS) standards. The regulator Under Article 177 of the Code of Electronic

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