Page 111 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

by the telecom regulator last week, seeks to elicit feedback from analogue fixed telephone lines fell by 4.8 per cent to 283,891
stakeholders and the general public before it is enacted into law. subscribers compared to the same period in 2020. The number
“The Sultanate of Oman stands as one of the leading countries of fixed Internet subscriptions via Internet Protocol stood at
in the world in terms of digital transformation which thereby 244,896. Moreover, ISDN channel subscriptions rose by 2.8 per
shows is a swift transition to an IoT environment. However, new cent compared to the same period in 2020 to reach 48,543. Fixed
technologies come with new threats. To allow Omanis to derive wireless subscriptions reached 1,231 at the end of September
the most benefit from IoT technologies, their security must be 2021, comprising a drop by 15.6 per cent. Public payphones
ensured,” the regulator noted in the preamble. “Our vision is remained the same at 6,801. The total number of mobile phone
a safe society, government, and business environment, which subscriptions decreased by 3.4 per cent at the end of September
support and adopt developments in IoT as an essential element 2021 to reach 5,872,681. Of those, prepaid mobile phone
of Industry 4.0, without increasing vulnerability or compromising subscriptions came first with 4,656,017, comprising a decrease
trust, while minimizing the net cost of IoT cybersecurity for the by 10.2 per cent compared to same period in 2020. The number
economy. With this comprehensive and compelling vision, we of subscribers through service providers reached 3,625,106
aim to achieve a secure IoT ground in the Sultanate with an while subscriptions through resellers stood at 1,030,911. Fixed
ultimate alignment with relevant Vision 2040 priorities,” it further broadband Internet subscriptions that have more than 256
noted. In rolling out sturdy IoT security regulations, the Authority kilobytes speed went up by 5.6 per cent to 520,082 compared
has pledged to work closely with, among others, the Ministry of to the same period in 2020. Moreover, the number of internet
Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the subscriptions of a speed lower than 256 kilobytes (including
Cyber Defence Centre, and other relevant authorities involved in phone calls and some leased Internet connections) reached
IoT security matters. (December 21, 2021) omanobserver.om 2,045, comprising a rise by 0.5 per cent compared to the same
period in 2020. The number of mobile broadband subscribers
The total fixed Internet subscriptions in the Sultanate of Oman stood at 5,088,357 at the end of September 2021, comprising an
reached 522,127 at the end of September 2021 while the number increase by 8.6 per cent compared to September 2020. The total
of fixed Internet subscriptions via Internet Protocol increased by international capacity of the Internet went up by 3.4 per cent to
7.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2020, according to hit 1,461,777 megabytes compared to the same period in 2020.
data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information Moreover, the number of local leased circuits reached 4,949,
(NCSI). Of this, total fixed telephone line subscriptions reached whereas the number of Telex line subscriptions stood at 116 at
585,362 by the end of September 2021 while prepaid and postpaid the end of September 2021. (November 14, 2021) timesofoman.com

Pakistan

Information communication technologies are playing a key role Moreover, Minister Aminul Haq told that the attempts were
in our daily lives. Personal Data and accessibility have become being made to bring the bill in the form of a consensus law in
very significant in carrying out day-to-day personal and business consultation with the public and relevant stakeholders. The
activities. Acknowledging the fact regarding the power of data minister also added that the top priority in the new Bill is the
in the contemporary era and other related aspects like privacy, protection of general civic and commercial entities and national
confidentiality, and integrity. Keeping that in mind, the Ministry of security. (December 22, 2021) phoneworld.com.pk
Information Technology and Telecom (MoiTT) has finalized the
draft of the ‘Data Protection Bill.’ The bill holds great importance The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed
as the privacy of the personal data of individuals has become that Telenor Pakistan renewed its license on 10 December 2021.
more relevant and vital than ever before because of the ever- The watchdog noted that the price for the renewal was USD449.2
growing use of ICT services. A meeting of Special Committee million, of which Telenor has already paid USD333.64 million, and
on Data Protection was held and chaired by Federal Minister for that the 15-year license features ‘enhanced terms and conditions
IT, Amin ul Haque. Furthermore, the meeting was attended by all for coverage and quality of service’. As previously reported by
stakeholders including National Security Advisor Moeed Yousaf, TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, the Norwegian-owned cellco’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, etc. In a statement, Minister GSM license was due for renewal in 2019 but the operator
Amin ul Haque said, In the next step, the final draft of the ‘Data protested against the terms of the updated license agreement,
Protection’ bill will be presented for approval in Parliament after including a price hike and the requirement to pay the fee in US
scrutiny from the law department and other related forums. dollars rather than Pakistani rupees. Telenor’s legal challenge is
According to the committee members, all efforts of MoiTT for the ongoing and is currently before the Supreme Court. The Islamabad
preparation of the Data Protection Bill are laudable. Furthermore, High Court dismissed the case in August this year, on the basis
the officials said that the basic purpose of the bill is to protect that it is within the scope of the regulator’s power to set license
the data of citizens and to prevent its use without permission. fees. (December 15, 2021) commsupdate.com

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