Page 120 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN THE SAMENA REGION

Algeria

Algeria is in the process of clearing and optimizing radio many cases by deploying 5G-ready technology. Several operators
frequencies to be used for 5G as it prepares for a widespread have formed vendor partnerships for the deployment of 5G-ready
launch of the technology “soon”, according to Telecoms Minister technology, with state operator Mobilis choosing Huawei, Djezzy
Karim Bibi Triki. The Minister said that Algeria’s government has selecting Nokia, and Ooredoo opting for Ericsson. As reported by
previously been focused on improving subpar 4G coverage and CommsUpdate, during 2021 Algeria’s operators pressured the
service quality, but in the face of increasing demand for broadband government to lay out its 5G strategy so that they could plan their
connectivity the launch of commercial 5G is now being seriously investments in the technology. The state owns 200,000km of fiber
considered - possibly even before the end of 2022. Traffic optic cable which will be used to facilitate the introduction of 5G
has surged in Algeria since 2020 as a result of the pandemic, in Algeria.
prompting operators to boost capacity on their networks – in (March 21, 2022) developingtelecoms.com

Bahrain

Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) highlighted
has issued a decision on pricing and other terms for Batelco’s some of the Kingdom’s digital transformation successes at the
international connectivity services. The body noted the recent World Government Summit 2022 held on the sidelines
determination aims to ensure an efficient international connectivity of Expo 2020 Dubai. The iGA delegation was led by Chief
market, as well as encourage and enable telecoms companies Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed and included Deputy CE for
to invest in international cable routes that land in Bahrain. In Electronic Transformation, Dr. Zakariya Ahmed Alkhaja, Hesham
response to concerns raised by licensees, the TRA undertook a Al Hashemi, iGA Government Systems Support & Maintenance
market review of international connectivity which highlighted, Director, Abdulla Al Jowder eService & Channel Development
among other things, Batelco’s control of access to three of the Director, Ahmed Ibrahim Al Arabi, Chief, Strategic Planning,
four submarine cables landing in the country, as well as the high and Chief, IT Policies & Standard, Ibrahim Yousef Al Mahmoud.
prices that licensed operators pay for international connectivity They participated in sessions and workshops on advanced
services in Bahrain compared to other countries. As a result of infrastructure and ICT capacity and skills-building, among other
the review, the TRA has imposed new regulatory measures on topics. Al Qaed took part in an Arab Government Administration
Batelco including price regulation that will enable Bahrain to Forum, entitled ‘Are We Ready for the Digital Leap?’ during which
compete more effectively with neighboring states, by making he highlighted the many factors that contributed to Bahrain’s
it more appealing to users of services that rely on international successful digital transformation , which benefits from a clear
connectivity. Commenting on the decision, TRA Bahrain General strategic vision, and set of policies and standards, as well as
Director Philip Marnick said: ‘The Authority believes that this the support of the Kingdom’s senior leadership, represented
price regulation will permit Batelco to make a reasonable return by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal
on existing investments while allowing both them and other Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin
operators to invest in new international connectivity services in Hamad Al Khalifa. The Kingdom also provides a comprehensive
the future … The Authority believes that these price terms will framework for IT governance and digital transformation through
eliminate any potential barriers to service entry and will allow the Supreme Council for Information and Communications
telecoms and data service providers to provide their consumers Technology, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness
with resilient services at competitive prices.’ Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Al Qaed said that
(April 1, 2022) commsupdate.com the Kingdom has automated judicial processes and procedures,
with more than 93% of the sector being digitized. 100 percent of
court session records have been converted from paper to digital.
The annual settlement rates for cases have also improved. This

120 MARCH-APRIL 2022