Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2022

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

needs. We, at TDRA, will continue to implement an ambitious of the academic sector in strengthening the capacity of the space
strategy to enhance services in this vital sector, which will reflect sector, potentially leading to new space projects. Participants
on the happiness of society, in implementation of the Government’s also benefited from ITU experts to learn about different aspects
directives in this regard.” Initially, TDRA applied this feature to the of the Radio Regulations and get hands-on experience in the ITU
numbers of the banking sector, to be expanded to the other sectors software. The UAE encourages various organizations to enter
such as health, hospitality, education and others. This feature was the space sector, as reflected in the development of initiatives
applied to all numbers of private sector companies in 2022, and it and projects that brought about satellite launches for scientific,
includes fixed and mobile numbers registered in the name of private exploratory purposes and other space-based services.
sector companies. TDRA confirmed that "Kashif” is considered the (December 6, 2022) www.zawya.com
first line of the caller’s identification, however, with the presence
of this feature, customers must adhere to the directives of the The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory
authorities related to not disclosing personal information such Authority (TDRA) announced the completion of the interconnection
as account number, password numbers, identification words, and process between the UAE service providers, as part of the Internet
others. (December 15, 2022) www.gulftoday.ae Exchanges Union initiative “United IX”. This initiative aims to link
SmartHub IX platform supported by Etisalat by e&, and UAE-IX
The Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory platform supported by Emirates Integrated Telecommunications
Authority (TDRA), in cooperation with the ITU, held the ITU Workshop Company du, to serve as an interconnection ecosystem at the
for Satellite Operators & Academia in the UAE on procedures and national level. This partnership includes Etisalat’s SmartHub IX, and
regulations of non-geostationary satellite systems. The three-day du/datamena, with the support of TDRA. The connection of the two
workshop held at TDRA's headquarters in Dubai was attended platforms allows the interconnection of all connected customers,
by 50 participants from 9 different entities: Al Yah Satellite regardless of the service provider, and is the first cooperation of
Communication Company (Yahsat), Dubai Electricity and Water its kind in the Middle East. Commenting on this step, H.E. Majed
Authority (DEWA), Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Sultan Al Mesmar, TDRA Director General, said: “This initiative is
National Space Science & Technology Center (NSSTC), Sharjah part of TDRA’s efforts to develop the telecom sector infrastructure,
Academy of Astronomy, Space Sciences & Technology (SAASST), enhance interconnection and integration to serve the objectives
Khalifa University, Marshall Intech, Telecommunications Regulatory of attracting investments, providing the best experience for global
Authority of Bahrain and Bahrain's National Space Science Agency companies such as emerging technology companies and service
(NSSA). The workshop particularly targeted satellite operators, providers, in addition to enhancing speed of data transmission,
academia and other relevant organizations in the UAE, who and improving response time.” H.E. Al Mesmar added: “We would
already have or own space and satellite launch projects, requiring like to thank everyone who contributed to United IX achievement,
particular knowledge of ITU procedures and regulations related to especially the Emirates Telecommunications Group Company
satellite networks and systems. The workshop provided hands-on PJSC, "Etisalat by e&", Emirates Integrated Telecommunications
training with respect to ITU software and systems for the creation Company “du”, and all other parties involved in this project. We
of various satellite network filings, advantages of joining the ITU as appreciate their cooperation to overcome challenges and achieve
Sector Member or academic body, in addition to providing detailed this goal, which will make the UAE a hub for interconnection at the
information on space services and some other relevant topics. The regional level. The parties worked together for a long time before
workshop, presented by ITU experts, helped participants enhance reaching this result, and today we are reaping the fruits of this effort,
their knowledge of regulatory procedures of satellite system and which reflects the correctness of our bet on the ICT sector to create
network filings, to develop their current and future space projects, a prosperous future in light of the major digital transformations.”
which would contribute to capacity building and enhancing the In turn, H.E. Masood Mohamed Sharif Mahmood, CEO of Etisalat
UAE’s position in the space sector. In his speech at the opening of by e&, said: “This cooperation, the first of its kind in the Middle
the workshop, Eng. Tariq al-Awadhi, Executive Director Spectrum East, with the support of TDRA, will contribute to enhancing the
Affairs, welcomed the participants, and said: “This workshop is capabilities of our SmartHub IX platform in line with the overall
one of the events through which TDRA aims to raise awareness on strategy of e& group to provide digital transformation technologies
the importance of the space sector, and introduce those interested and innovative solutions to the telecom sector’s customers in
to the ITU procedures and regulations adopted by all other state various fields. It is also in line with the vision of the UAE leadership
administrations. The popular and modern technology offered in enhancing the country's leading position as a hub of ICT and
by satellite systems nowadays encourage us all to prepare and data in the region, while meeting the diverse requirements of
improve our capabilities in order for us to be proactive in this field, telecom infrastructure at the international level. For us, SmartHub
and co-develop such technologies to the benefit of our country in IX is a key supporter of our digital infrastructure in the region, and
particular and the world in general.” Mr. al-Awadhi thanked the ITU we are committed to making it the partner of choice for carriers,
for their constant cooperation with TDRA in many events, adding: cloud service providers, Internet providers, and companies
“We thank the ITU for participating in this event aimed at developing looking for business-class data centers.” H.E. Fahad Al Hassawi,
UAE’s space sector, and invite all participants to strengthen CEO of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du),
their ties with the ITU staff and build meaningful relationships said: “seamless and reliable communication is an essential
with all, in order to exchange knowledge and achieve fruitful pillar for modern organizations that seek to keep pace with the
cooperation.” Workshop participants learned about the importance requirements of the digital future. Therefore, providing enhanced

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