Page 120 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Providers must adhere to. It covers critical aspects such as globally and connect Qatar to the world.”
advertising standards, marketing practices, billing transparency, (October 3, 2024) www.gulfbusiness.com
contract fairness, data privacy, and customer notifications.
Specific provisions are included to address common consumer The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) of the State of
concerns, including unsolicited direct marketing, spam, and Qatar, in collaboration with the Telecommunication Development
the safeguarding of personal data. The regulation also lays out Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union
clear processes for handling consumer complaints and disputes, (ITU), is hosting the ITU Workshop on Promoting and Measuring
ensuring that consumers have continuous access to essential Universal and Meaningful Connectivity for the Arab States. The
emergency services without disruption. “The Communications three-day event, taking place from 1-3 October 2024 and brings
Consumer Protection Policy and Regulation we have issued together key stakeholders, policymakers and statisticians from
marks a crucial step in our ongoing commitment to creating a fair across the region to discuss strategies for improving digital
and transparent communications environment in Qatar. Aligned inclusion and access to connectivity for all. The workshop
with Qatar’s telecommunications law and regulatory framework, aims to explore how universal and meaningful connectivity
our goal is to protect consumers by ensuring they receive clear can be achieved across the Arab world, focusing on the critical
information, fair contracts, and reliable services, while holding role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in
Service Providers to the highest standards,” said Amel Salem Al- driving sustainable development. It will provide a platform for
Hanawi, Director of the Consumer Affairs Department at CRA. “By policymakers, industry experts, and representatives from both
issuing this instrument, we are reinforcing our commitment to public and private sectors to share insights, best practices, and
fostering a competitive and consumer-friendly communications innovative solutions to address connectivity challenges. As
market, in line with Qatar’s Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda the world becomes increasingly reliant on digital platforms for
2030,” she added. (October 21, 2024) www.zawya.com economic, social, and educational growth, achieving universal
and meaningful connectivity has never been more important.
In a move set to bolster Qatar’s position as a regional digital hub, The workshop will delve into key areas, such as the digital
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) announced plans to merge the divide, infrastructure development, affordability of services, and
telecommunications businesses of Qatar National Broadband the role of emerging technologies like Fifth Generation (5G) and
Network (QNBN) and Gulf Bridge International (GBI). QNBN, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing access. Eng. Hussain
Qatar’s leading passive fiber service provider, has a nationwide Abdulla Salatt, Public Relations and Communication Manager
coverage of over 95 per cent, while GBI offers high-capacity at CRA, emphasized the importance of the workshop saying:
connectivity solutions across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. “Universal and meaningful connectivity is essential for the socio-
By merging their strengths, QNBN and GBI aim to attract global economic development, and its importance continues to grow as
hyperscalers and AI innovators to Qatar, offering a seamless we advance toward achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision
gateway to interconnect within the Middle East region. “With 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030. At CRA, we are committed to
highly complementary assets and operations, our combined working alongside international partners like ITU to achieve digital
businesses will be better placed to capture the rapidly growing inclusion in the Arab region. To realize this goal, we are focused
international connectivity opportunity to support our future on fostering innovation, enhancing digital infrastructure, and
growth ambitions, said Engineer Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, improving affordability, especially for underserved communities.
chairman of QNBN and GBI. The combined entity will focus on This workshop is a significant step toward building frameworks
maximizing opportunities within the international data traffic and strategies that will enable everyone to participate in the
market, leveraging its combined resources to drive innovation and digital economy.” Over the course of the workshop, participants
expand its global presence. The transaction is expected to close will also discuss how to measure progress in achieving universal
in Q4 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. QIA’s CEO, Mansoor connectivity, utilizing ITU’s frameworks and tools. These tools are
Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud, expressed the company’s commitment crucial for assessing the effectiveness of policy initiatives and
to Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy, stating that the ensuring that all population groups, particularly in underserved
merger would attract foreign direct investment and serve as a and remote areas, can benefit from the opportunities that the
catalyst for economic diversification. Al-Mahmoud added: “We digital economy provides.
aim to position Qatar as a leading digital hub both regionally and (October 1, 2024) www.cra.gov.qa

Saudi Arabia

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission Moraqeb. The Challenge was launched in collaboration with the
(CST) announced the winners of the Tech Innovation Challenge National Technology Development Program (NTDP), Huawei and
2024, and crowned the winning teams Hams.AI, Sammu, VOIR, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Association. This initiative
Challenge The Space, Ebda, Sanad AI, Farm Care, Chromaero and aims to support innovation and the development of tech products,

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