Page 114 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Jordan

Jordan intends to issue an international tender in July for the to establish a comprehensive and worldwide internet network.
operation of its new fiber-optic telecommunication network. (May 28, 2023) www.jordannews.jo
The Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Ministry is preparing
documents for the tender which will target global network operators, The government is set to launch a unified digital platform
the Arabic language daily Alghad said, quoting an unnamed Ministry to serve as a hub for electronic participation and interaction
official. The Ministry will invite bids from competent companies as between government institutions and citizens, according to a
the government has almost completed the construction of a fiber- well-informed government source in the IT sector. Through this
optic network that will link more than 3,000 public establishments platform, the government aims to optimize the electronic tools
throughout the Kingdom, the paper said. “The international tender to bolster community participation, notably in the legislative
will be issued next month…it involves the commercial operation process, governmental decision-making, and the enhancement of
and maintenance of the new network,” it said. Operators will public services to better meet their needs, the source said. The
also assist the government in improving telecommunication and source added that the platform's objectives also include fostering
information technology infrastructure, encouraging investment in transparency, confidence, improving information quality and
related projects, and expanding network coverage to all of Jordan facilitating accessibility. It was revealed that a tender has been
besides possible connection with other networks in the region, it issued to initiate the implementation of this project. Efforts are
added. (June 13, 2023) www.zawya.com currently underway to finalize the tender process and commence
the construction of the platform. It is projected that the platform's
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) said initial trial version will be ready within the next six months. The
they received an application from a company seeking a license source highlighted three key focal points of the platform, designed
to provide satellite internet service in the Kingdom. The TRC to encourage citizen engagement with the government in an
has confirmed that the application is currently under review. electronic manner. Firstly, there is the electronic consultation aspect
According to the TRC, the legislation and instructions governing its “E-Consultation”, which entails conducting public consultations
framework already allow for the issuance of licenses for "satellite to gather opinions from relevant stakeholders and interested
internet" services in Jordan. Bassam AlSarhan, chairman of the parties regarding government initiatives. By consolidating all
Board at TRC, stated that submitting a license application does not public consultations on this platform, it eliminates the need for
guarantee the immediate availability of the service. The process of each institution to individually publish them on their respective
providing satellite internet service is contingent upon obtaining the websites and social media pages. The source further emphasized
license. AlSarhan further explained that due to Jordan's diverse that the platform will also include a second element, where
geography, exploring alternatives for mobile communication citizens can actively participate in the decision-making process
services is crucial. Satellite communication, he added, serves as through electronic means. The “E-Decision Making” component
a complementary solution in areas where traditional towers are aims to involve beneficiaries in shaping government decisions,
restricted, such as the tourism region of Wadi Rum, where towers are as it allows citizens to contribute to decisions pertaining to the
prohibited to preserve the natural landscape. On October 31, 2022, availability of public services or to participate in political decision-
AlSarhan announced the successful trial conducted by SpaceX in making. Proposals could be presented to parliamentary councils
launching satellite internet services using low Earth orbit satellites. and the Cabinet, allowing the government to study and share the
The experiment demonstrated impressive data download speeds, results with the community or incorporate them in governmental
ranging from 100 to 367 megabytes. SpaceX, a leading company priorities. The platform will feature a third component focused
in internet service provision, operates a constellation of satellites on open government data and electronic information sharing
designed for global internet coverage. SpaceX's Starlink network “E-Information” to provide information in a user-friendly format,
currently consists of over 3,000 satellites, with plans to deploy tens ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all citizens.
of thousands more in low-Earth orbits. These satellites, working in (May 24, 2023) www.zawya.com
conjunction with terrestrial transmitting and receiving devices, aim

Libya

The head of Libya’s Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid reports. With years of military conflict and political divisions
Dbeibeh, has approved the country’s National Strategy for the having damaged the country’s telecoms infrastructure and
Communications and Informatics Sector 2023-2027, Libya Herald disrupted network modernization and expansion efforts, the prime

114 MAY-JUNE 2023