Page 111 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

in the Kingdom. We feel a tremendous sense of urgency to push which is continuously committed to these criteria in line with
forward on 5G and mobilize the ecosystem by collaborating with the best practices. Awards such as this, which we win ahead
industry leaders and developers to usher in a new generation of of high caliber organizations, are proof of TRA’s progress and
innovation”, says Wojciech Bajda, Head of Ericsson Gulf Council success as an organization.” Sh. Mohammed added. The GCC’s
Countries. Across the globe, 5G use case studies find their way Best Employer Brand Award recognizes The Authority’s efforts
into every industry sector. From remote patient monitoring and in using marketing communications effectively in attracting
consultation to remote surgery in medicine, in transportation, 5G talent, retaining talent, developing talent and in retention policy.
will be the pillar that autonomous vehicles rely on – a 2017 study The Award key criteria are; translating and combining vision with
from Deloitte estimated that self-driving cars enabled by mobile action in conjunction with HR strategy, building a platform to
connectivity could reduce emissions by 40 to 90%, improving travel engage HR strategy with business, cultivating competencies for
time by 40% and reducing delays by 20%, whereas in banking, the future to enable building the organization to-be future-ready,
blockchain and fintech combined with 5G will have a surge of employee benefits and employee engagement, and last but not
economic benefits. “Bahrain is establishing itself as a leader in least is providing equal opportunities to women leaders.
5G technology within the region, thanks to the roll-out of two 5G (November 23, 2019) tra.org.bh
networks in 2019. It is important to capitalise on this early lead,
especially as, according to GSMA Intelligence, subscribers within The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was
the MENA region are predicted to consume an average of 23GB of announced winning “Regulatory Initiative of the Year” in MENA
mobile data per month by 2023, up from just 2.5GB today,” said region at CommsMEA’s annual Awards ceremony in Dubai.
Michele Zarri, Technical Director of Future Networks, GSMA. “I was The awards focus on a number of categories encompassing
delighted to be able to deliver the GSMA’s 5G Advanced training the ICT sector, highlighting the most prominent achievements
course, covering topics such as ‘how 5G networks can support of the Industry throughout the region. “The significance of the
users growing appetite for mobile data’. It was also a pleasure to separation project can’t be overstated.” Says Shaikh Nasser
take part in the lively panel discussion on the measures the TRA Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Acting General Director of TRA. “It is
can take to foster the development of 5G networks and services one of the most monumental undertakings the TRA has led
in Bahrain.” Key technologies in 5G performance goals include since inception, the impact of which will be felt by all parties
a high data rate, low latency, and massive machine to machine for generations to come.”, He added. The Separation Project, in
communications. John Lu Yuedong, CEO of Huawei Bahrain says, simple terms, is where Batelco has been split into two separate
“5G development is accelerating at speeds beyond imagination, entities which are independent of each other. The newly formed “B
with roll-out imminent in markets across the Middle East and NET” is a wholesale organization managing Bahrain’s Broadband
the world at large. At Huawei, we are continuing to collaborate infrastructure, and Batelco is one of the existing operators in
with the Bahraini government and our local customers to push the Kingdom which lease this infrastructure. This leads to the
5G forward and to realize the full value of the digital economy. establishment of a new economic regulatory framework in line
Workshops such as this are essential platforms to experience the with Government’s policy directions under the fourth National
latest 5G applications and to pioneer innovations in the market.” Telecommunications Plan. “We now have a more even playing field
(November 27, 2019) tra.org.bh in terms of competition among operators.” Says Shaikh Nasser Bin
Mohamed, adding “Consumers & businesses will reap the rewards
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was of this new framework, expecting operators to compete based on
announced winner of the GCC’s Best Employer Brand Award enhanced services. Broadband quality won’t be an issue factoring
Category at the 8th Annual Asian Leadership Awards (ALA) into your choice as unprecedented speeds are made into a gold
in Dubai. Hosted since 2011, ALA distinguishes and honors standard across the local telecom sector. We’re confident that
leaders who have contributed and shaped the Asian economy its work will contribute to the Kingdom of Bahrain becoming the
and are visionaries behind today’s outstanding businesses. ALA strategic investment destination of choice and a regional Centre
will showcase learnings from best practices. The Award was for information technology and digital communications.” No
presented by Dr. R.L. Bhatia – The Founder of World CSR Day and country in the Middle East North Africa region has accomplished
Project Director World HRD Congress. Commenting on the Award, this yet, with only seven countries achieving this worldwide. Even
TRA Director of Finance, IT and HR, Sh. Mohamed Bin Salman so, none have successfully accomplished this task in the two
Al Khalifa stated that “TRA won this award ahead of esteemed years it took the Kingdom of Bahrain to see it through. Accepting
organizations from across the GCC region, based on assessments the award, Shaikh Nasser concluded that “This is an affirmation
of key criteria, namely; how well an organization’s HR strategy is of all the hard work the TRA has done in service to the Kingdom
put into action against its vision, how an organization cultivates and the people. This is proof that few can achieve much, and
competencies with future needs in mind, how it engaged when Bahrain sets its mind towards excellence, the world takes
employees and provides benefits, and equal opportunity to notice. This isn’t just a win for the TRA, it’s a win for consumers,
women leaders.” “This is an honorable achievement for TRA for investors and for government”. (November 10, 2019) tra.org.bh

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