Page 125 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

customers climbed from 7.112 million at the end of December to $139.4 million in 2020-21 compared to $253.7 million in 2019-
7.653 million at the end of January. (March 3, 2022) phoneworld.com.pk 20, $117.1 million in 2018-19 and $143.6 million in 2017-18.
The FDI inflow in the telecom sector during 2020-21 was $202.34
According to data revealed by the Pakistan Telecommunication million, the outflow was $167.5 million and the net inflow was
Authority (PTA), the telecom industry’s investment, Foreign Direct $34.8 million compared to an inflow of $763.3 million, the outflow
Investment (FDI) and contribution to the national exchequer of $140.8 million and a net inflow of $622.5 million in 2019-20.
declined by four per cent, 26 per cent, and 23 per cent, respectively, Telecom sector contribution to the national exchequer declined
during 2020-21 compared to 2019-20. However, the telecom by around 23 per cent in 2020-21, remaining Rs225.80 billion
industry revenues increased by around nine per cent as it jumped compared to Rs290.12 billion in 2019-20. The GST from the
from Rs590.301 billion in 2019-20 to Rs644 billion in 2020-21. telecom sector remained Rs67.4 billion in 2020-21 compared to
Telecom Industry Revenues Increased By 9% in 2020-21- PTA 47.79 billion in 2019-20. The PTA deposits remained Rs44.84
• Investment by the telecom industry witnessed a decline of billion in 2020-21 compared to Rs141.23 billion in 2019-20. Others
around four per cent and remained $1.093 billion in 2020-21 (WHT, income taxes, customs duty, and other taxes) contributed
compared to $1.128 billion in 2019-20. Rs116.23 billion in 2020-21 compared to Rs101.10 billion in
• Investment by Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) remained 2019-20. The GST from cellular increased from Rs28.398 billion in
$667.7 million in 2020-21 compared to $568.7 million in 2019- 2019-20 to Rs44.530 billion in 2020-21, from the CVAS increased
20, $362.9 million in 2018-19, and $562.4 million in 2017-18. from Rs12.194 billion in 2019-20 to Rs13.178 billion, from LDI
• Class Value Added Services (CVAS)/FLL investment stood at decreased from Rs1.928 billion to Rs1.614 billion, from TTP/TIP
$245.5 million in 2020-21 compared to $231.8 in 2019-20, decreased from Rs5.273 billion to Rs3.408 billion respectively.
$167.2 million in 2018-19 and $130 million in 2017-18. Among other taxes, from cellular, it increased from Rs85.49 billion
• Long-Distance and International (LDI) investment stood at in 2019-20 to Rs97.666 billion in 2020-21, from CVAS increased
$31.3 million in 2020-21 compared to $74.6 million in 2019-20, from Rs7.514 billion to Rs7.920 billion from LDI increased from
$30.6 million in 2018-19 and $24.8 million in 2017-18. Rs3.2 billion to Rs3.7 billion from TTP/TIP decreased from Rs4.7
• Telecom Infrastructure Provider (TTP/TIP) investment stood at billion to Rs4.6 billion respectively. (March 1, 2022) phoneworld.com.pk

Qatar

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) marks World study groups, approves their expected work program for the next
Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), celebrated annually on March 15, four-year period, and appoints their chairmen and vice-chairmen.
by holding a public outreach event. This event is one of the CRA’s The CRA participates in WTSA-20 in line with its keenness to
initiatives in the field of telecom consumers’ protection in the State participate in standards development, exchange views, and
of Qatar. Through this event, CRA aims to engage directly with stay informed of the general policy for the ITU-T Sector and the
consumers to raise awareness about their rights and obligations latest standard recommendations related to the Information
related to their use of telecom services. The event will include and Communications Technology (ICT) field. The CRA is keen
awareness activities for adults and kids. Also, CRA’s specialized to develop regulations that are in line with the best international
team will raise awareness about various topics related to telecom standards in the field, to ensure supporting technological
services like internet safety for kids, scam calls and messages, innovation, accelerating sustainable digital transformation in
international roaming, terms and conditions, and credit limit. the State of Qatar, and that consumers in Qatar have the best
Also, during the event consumers will know more about CRA’s experience with telecom services. (March 8, 2022) cra.gov.qa
complaint process and will be able to raise their inquiries and
complaints about telecom services. (March 17, 2022) cra.gov.qa The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) participates
in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022, which is the world’s
The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) participates largest mobile industry gathering and organized by the Global
in the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) in
2020 (WTSA-20), which is organized by the International Barcelona, Spain, from February 28 - March 3, 2022, under
Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland, from the theme “Connectivity Unleashed”. The CRA ensures the
March 1-9, 2022. WTSA is a major event for the ITU and is development of the Information and Communications Technology
held every four years, it sets the overall direction and structure (ICT) sector in Qatar by developing flexible regulations that can
for the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), accommodate current and future technological developments,
which is one of the ITU’s key sectors and its main products are therefore it ensures participating annually in the MWC, as it is an
Recommendations (ITU-T Recs) – standards, defining how opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences and to explore
telecommunication networks operate and interwork. Additionally, the latest technologies, in addition to reviewing the latest global
WTSA defines the general policy for the Sector, establishes related developments and trends, and international best practices in

125 MARCH-APRIL 2022