Page 111 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATESATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS
REGUL

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN THE SAMENA REGION

Afghanistan

Industry watchdog the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority Maximum price for data services, meanwhile, was lowered to
(ATRA) has set price ceilings for voice calls and data services, AFN110 per GB, down from AFN250. The official went on to note
Ariana News writes, citing ATRA spokesperson Jalal Shams. that the ATRA is working on improving service quality for voice
According to the official, the price ceiling for calls was set at calls and data services. To address the issue, the regulator is
AFN2.2 (USD0.025) per minute, with charging calculated based looking into distributing additional spectrum or reorganizing
on 30-second increments, down from 60 seconds previously. existing spectrum usage. (May 22, 2023) www.commsupdate.com

Bahrain

The latest research published by the Telecommunications of any outstanding charges, including early termination fees.
Regulatory Authority (TRA) shows download speeds on 5G Billing Transparency and Accuracy: in which licensed operators
networks in Bahrain reached a peak of 3.2Gbps in 2022, a are committed to providing consumers with transparent tariff
significant increase on the 1.3Gbps offered by operators when information and accurate billing and shall implement measures to
5G was launched in the Kingdom in 2019. The TRA’s 2022 quality ensure that billing information is error-free across all subscriptions
of service (QoS) audit found the average 5G download speed and billing methods, giving consumers confidence in the accuracy
achieved by the Kingdom’s three mobile network operators (MNOs) of their bills. Tele-sales, Value-Added Services, and Multi-Factor
– Batelco, stc and Zain – increased from 721.1Mbps in 2021 to Authentications: Licensed operators shall only be promoting their
900.9Mbps last year, while average uplink throughput rose from telecommunications services and products in a fair, transparent,
76.2Mbps to 111.4Mbps. Furthermore, the regulator highlighted accurate, and responsible way. Key terms and conditions, including
that 4G network average downlink speeds have more than doubled tariffs, contract terms, and termination conditions, will be clearly
communicated. Additionally, consumers will have direct access
since 2020, rising from 84.7Mbps in 2020 to 266.3Mbps in 2022. of these groundbreaking undertaking solidifies Bahrain's leadership Draft
The QoS survey was conducted between 30 October 2022 and 18 to view their service subscriptions, manage value-added services,
January 2023. (June 9, 2023) www.commsupdate.com device installment plans, and track data usage. Service Quality
Levels: where if a consumer experiences a service or product
The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) is proud to quality level that falls below the promised standards and the issue
announce a significant milestone in enhancing consumer protection is not resolved within a reasonable timeframe, consumers will
and empowering consumers. On Monday, May 22, 2023, a historic have the right to terminate their service contracts without incurring
signing ceremony was held where the CEOs of all licensed operators early termination charges. This provision ensures that consumers
were present and signed the undertaking. This collaborative receive the quality of service they have been promised. The TRA
effort marks a groundbreaking achievement, making Bahrain commends the CEOs and management teams of all licensed
the first country in the region to implement consumer protection operators for their commitment to consumer protection and for
measures through an undertaking. Effective September 1, 2023, signing this undertaking. Their dedication to improving consumer
the new undertaking will introduce five main consumer protection experiences sets a positive example for the telecommunications
measures. The Contract Summary: where licensed operators will industry in Bahrain and the wider region. Philip Marnick, General
provide consumers with a concise document along with their Director of the TRA, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "The signing
service contracts, summarizing the key terms and conditions of
the services they are subscribing to. Contract Termination and in prioritizing consumer protection. We commend the licensed
End of Contract Notifications: consumers will receive an end-of- operators for their commitment to empowering consumers. This
contract notification when their service contracts end, which will initiative will elevate consumer experiences and reinforce Bahrain's
specify the date on which the contract will end. Furthermore, if a position as a regional leader." Sh. Abdulla bin Humood AlKhalifa,
consumer requests to terminate a service, they will be informed the Director of Consumer and Communications, added, "Bahrain

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