Page 111 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) is gearing up for obtain a radio spectrum license or authorization from CRA. Every
several large-scale international events which will be hosted by entity that wants to use radio devices or equipment must register
the State of Qatar at various venues across the country between them and submit frequency applications via CRA’s Special Events
October 2023 and March 2024. The international events include Portal or its e-Spectrum Services Portal. Upon submission, all
the International Horticultural Expo 2023 (Expo 2023 Doha™), registrations and applications will be evaluated and processed
the Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023, MotoGP further for issuance of licenses or authorization upon approval,
Qatar Airways Grand Prix 2023, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, and on receipt of fee payment, where applicable. Large-scale
and the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024. To ensure international events often necessitate the use of a wide range
the smooth operation of events, CRA has liaised with all relevant of radio applications and different types of radio equipment,
stakeholders and local organizers to coordinate different matters which are used in several fields including broadcasting, safety
related to CRA’s scope of work, such as frequency assignment, and security, wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, RF cameras
licensing, monitoring and equipment custom clearance. These and Radio Local Area Networks (RLANs). Using multiple radio
efforts have facilitated the development of a robust plan that equipment within a limited area creates challenges in meeting all
meets the spectrum requirements for broadcasting, media, event radio spectrum requirements. However, CRA has a proven track
service providers for various radio applications and wireless record in meeting the requirements of such events, including the
communication services. This ensures that all stakeholders can FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, which will allow CRA to draw on
operate their radiocommunications equipment and broadcasting expertise and resources to ensure these international events are
systems as required and without interruption due to radio managed effectively.
interference. All radio equipment and frequency users must (October 2, 2023) www.cra.gov.qa

Saudi Arabia

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) content platforms market in the Kingdom, which is expected
publishes the KSA Space Market Investment Opportunities Report, to exceed Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) with 20% in
which highlights the Kingdom’s space legacy which started in 2030, as well as attract investments and promote competition;
1976, and the challenges and opportunities in Space market, which in addition to ensuring transparency regarding the regulations,
are expected to witness a rapid growth, as the report highlighted rules and requirements for service providers. CST pointed out that
the market size of Space sector in the Kingdom which reached the document will enhance the quality of services and the user
$400 Million in 2022. The report aims to showcase the promising protection, as well as enabling service providers of the digital
opportunities in the Space sector, promote investment and fair content platforms in the Kingdom, which will attract qualitative
competition, support Space investors and entrepreneurs. The investments and achieve the goals of (IGNITE) project. CST urges
report sheds light on many opportunities for the development of the Digital content platform service providers to view the document
Saudi Space market, including spacecraft manufacturing, launch and fulfill the requirements prior the date of entry into force 8
services, and the development of ground segments to enhance October 2024. (November 5, 2023) www.cst.gov.sa
its infrastructure, placing the Kingdom as a regional Space hub;
in addition to satellite communications, and earth observation The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)
through building integrated local systems and developing a showcased prominent numbers of the IT and ET market in Saudi
multi-sensor satellite infrastructure, as well as Space science & Arabia that reached 81 Billion SAR in 2022 and is expected to reach
exploration, and emerging space. The report also showcases the 103 Billion by 2025 during the Digital Technology Forum 2023.
growth of the global Space economy with $464 Billion in 2022, The main achievements in technology sector were announced
which represents a 0.46% of the world’s GPD and grows at a fast during the forum, including the number of tech companies listed
rate of over %7 per year. It is expected to reach an all-time high of in the stock market which has increased to 18 companies, while
$738 Billion by 2030, due to the expanding investment in Space the number of the registered tech companies in the “Manassa
sector generating $100 Billion in 2022, which is four times more Tech" platform has surpassed 1000 company, with over 150 local
today compared to the early 2000s. (November 8, 2023) www.cst.gov.sa tech products. The Forum highlighted the promising future of the
software market with a CAGR up to 11%, which has been a result of
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) CST efforts to raise the efficiency of the local tech products, to be
has published the “Regulations for Providing Digital Content included in the global reports such as Gartner platform and the IDC
Platform Services” Document as part of its role in regulating digital report, with a total of 20 local tech products reflecting the maturity
content platforms and under the Executive Program for Regulating of technology sector in the Kingdom. The Digital Technology Forum
the Digital Content and its Platforms (IGNITE). The document 2023 kicked off under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Abdullah bin
aims to provide the enabling environment to develop the digital Amer Alswaha, the Minister of Communications and Information

111 OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023