Page 126 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATESATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS
REGUL

A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

IN THE SAMENA REGION

Algeria

Multinational telecoms group VEON disclosed in its Q1 2022 report Omnium Telecom Algerie) to FNI, which would raise the latter’s
that the process of selling its 45.6% equity stake in Algerian cellco stake to 96.47%. The exercise of the option initiated a process
Optimum Telecom Algerie (Djezzy) to the Algerian government’s under which a third-party valuation was undertaken to determine
National Investment Fund (Fonds National d’Investissement, the fair market value at which the transfer shall take place. VEON
FNI) is ‘on track’, after a final valuation for VEON’s shares was has since reported on Djezzy as a ‘discontinued operation’ and
concluded at USD682 million. On 1 July 2021 VEON exercised its ‘asset held for sale’.
put option to sell its entire stake in Djezzy (via holding company (May 3, 2022) commsupdate.com

Bahrain

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain (TRA), The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain (TRA)
in collaboration with stakeholders from the sector, announces held an open forum to discuss TRA's 2022-2023 draft work plan.
the development of a Telecommunication Emergency Response The forum, provided stakeholders a platform to share their thoughts
Plan in accordance with the Government's fourth and fifth on the plan. The draft workplan was published on April 24 and it
National Telecommunications Plans, to ensure that the sector includes the TRA's work streams with the intention of achieving
remains resilient to cyber and physical threats and is ready for objectives based on four key themes. Specifically, the TRA aims to
any disasters or emergencies that may arise. Essentially, this plan meet the government policy outlined in the 5th National Telecom
lays the foundations for a sector-wide response to a Telecom Plan, to ensure network security and resilience, to provide a reliable
Emergency that will be both effective and coordinated. By defining broadband service for all, and to ensure consumer empowerment
the roles and responsibilities of the Licensees and the Authority and protection, a statement said. Among those attending were
during the pre-disaster and post-disaster phases and by laying representatives of the telecommunications industry, from the
down the sequence of actions to be taken by the Sector during a Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, as well
Telecom Emergency, this document aims to provide guidance to as consumer advocacy organizations. Philip Marnick, General
the Sector in these circumstances. Aside from providing pertinent Director of the Telecommunications Authority, said: “We are
information about the Sector's response to incidents and telecom pleased that so many people attended our first TRA Open Forum.
emergencies that may have a direct or indirect impact on the It enabled stakeholders, especially consumers, an opportunity to
Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure and Services of the share their ideas and help shape our work. At the end of the day,
Kingdom of Bahrain, the Plan will also serve as a guide to help the work we do here is for the people of Bahrain, so talking to one
those who need a better understanding of how the sector should another helps us serve our community better.” Marnick added: “We
respond. According to Mr. Philip Marnick, the TRA's General expect to hold more open forums on future draft publications, so
Director, " We all depend upon on Telecoms it is essential it just that we can remain in touch and engage with all our stakeholders.
works all the time. In emergency or disaster situations we need (May 22, 2022) tradearabia.com
to ensure the TRA and industry can work together so we have a
working telecoms system both here in Bahrain and to and from Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has
other countries. We cannot be cut off. Our Telecoms Emergency published a public consultation document on the draft reference
Plan is designed to ensure we have resilience and if emergencies offer of BNET, operator of the national fiber-optic broadband
occur – be they natural disasters, or other significant emergency network, which outlines the products and services offered to
events, we can all work together to get communications working - licensed operators. Based on the TRA’s preliminary assessment,
to keep us connected and to support disaster relief and search and the proposed tariffs represent significant reductions in wholesale
rescue operations. (June 16, 2022) tra.org.bh prices, with the cost of a wholesale 100Mbps consumer
broadband connection set to fall by 33%. To enable everyone to

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