Page 112 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

is setting a new standard in the region with the introduction of consumers and fostering long-lasting trust." The TRA believes that
these comprehensive consumer protection measures. We extend these measures will strengthen the telecommunications market in
our appreciation to the licensed operators for their support in Bahrain, providing consumers with the confidence and trust they
safeguarding consumer interests. This collective effort will create deserve.
a fair and transparent telecommunications market, empowering (May 22, 2023) www.tra.org.bh

Bangladesh

The telecom regulator is set to introduce fixed maximum tariff "Overall, we will ensure that the data price in this tariff mechanism
rates for mobile data packages with the aim of ensuring simple and remains affordable for everyone," Jabbar said. He went on to say
affordable connectivity services for consumers. The Systems and that operators in the country offer numerous packages, many of
Services, a division of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory which are illogical. "There are 20 GB packages that last just three
Commission (BTRC), is finalizing the conditions in this regard. days. What can a customer do with so much data in such little
We will introduce a rate schedule for data with a ceiling price time? Such packages will be eradicated," the telecom minister said.
for operators," said Shyam Sunder Sikder, chairman of the BTRC. "Besides, the packages of different operators will be made similar,
"While they cannot offer prices above the fixed rate, they will be not like the heterogenous packages available in the market now,"
allowed to go below the threshold," he added. However, Sikder then he added. For example, Teletalk offers a non-expiring 26 GB data
said they are yet to finalize the terms and conditions as changes package for Tk 309 while Grameenphone sells a 15 GB version for
will be brought about after consulting stakeholders. The regulator Tk 549. Such differences will not be present in the new mechanism
is conducting consultations with various stakeholders, including and the number of data packages will be cut significantly, Jabbar
mobile network operators, to understand their concerns and take said. "There is no discipline in the mobile data market as packages
into consideration different perspectives of the industry, said an are very confusing and misleading. So, we want to bring order to
official of the BTRC. However, this will likely be different from the these services," he added. The initiative has sparked both support
maximum tariff for broadband internet connections set by the and concern within the telecommunications industry. "Any
regulator in June 2021. As per guidelines, a customer has to pay Tk pricing regulation should, in our opinion, go through a rigorous
500 per month for using a broadband connection with a minimum consultation procedure," said Taimur Rahman, chief corporate and
internet speed of 5 Mbps. For 10 Mbps, the rate is Tk 800 to Tk 1,000, regulatory affairs officer at Banglalink, the third-placed operator in
and Tk 1,100 to Tk 1,200 for 20 Mbps. "The fundamental difference terms of the number of customers. Additionally, it should consider
between mobile data and broadband is that mobile operators sell the market's competitive environment in light of the fact that
an amount of data while internet service providers sell speed," Bangladesh's market is unbalanced and uncompetitive, he said.
said Mustafa Jabbar, telecom minister. Mobile operators offer "The data prices we currently offer are already below cost because
data to their customers by typically measuring it in megabytes everyone is essentially recovering it from voice services," he said.
(MB) or gigabytes (GB). For example, a mobile plan might provide "Considering the current trend, we expect that soon the demand for
a monthly data allowance of 5 GB, allowing customers to consume voice will decrease significantly and mobile operators will be fully
up to 5 gigabytes of data during that period. Meanwhile, speeds dependent on data," he added. Therefore, if there are ceilings and
are measured in Mbps (megabits per second) and indicate the rate floors below cost, it will not be sustainable, according to Rahman.
at which data can be transmitted over a broadband connection. (May 21, 2023) www.thedailystar.ne

Egypt

Minister of Communications and Information Technology, has in addition to many areas, especially with regard to building
witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding technological capabilities. The signing of the deal came within the
between the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) activities of the first day of the Global Conference for Regulators
and the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The (GSR-23), which is being held under the auspices of the President
MoU had a number of frameworks and mechanisms for joint of the Republic and hosted by Egypt from 5 to 8 June in Sharm
cooperation in the areas of managing frequency spectrum and El-Sheikh, with the participation of 700 telecom regulators,
maximizing its revenues, disseminating and making available policy makers and industry representatives from more than 100
telecommunications services in remote areas, and educating and countries. It also comes within the framework of enhancing
protecting telecommunications users and securing networks, cooperation between Egypt and the United States of America in the

112 MAY-JUNE 2023