Page 122 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Collaboration to Boost Investment, Regulatory Collaboration on how to develop digital infrastructure, open new markets, and
to Enhance Technology, Synergizing Skills Development in the enhance investment in the future fields of technology, with the
Technological Field, Collaboration in Developing the Future of participation of a pioneering local and global experts.
Digital Infrastructure; which contribute in building shared visions (October 10, 2024) www.cst.gov.sa

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s smartphone market surged in the second quarter emerged as the leading brands in Q2 2024, with Honor taking a 21
of 2024, with shipments reaching 365,000 units, marking a percent share of the mid-range segment, driven by the success
218 percent year-on-year growth, according to IDC. This rapid of the X7b model. Interest in 5G smartphones grew, accounting
expansion has sustained triple-digit growth for five consecutive for 25 percent of shipments, as Dialog Axiata expanded its 5G
quarters, signaling strong demand for mobile technology in network following acquisitions of Airtel and Sri Lankan Telecom.
the country. With 32.49 million cellular connections and 12.34 Retail channels continue to dominate the market, contributing
million internet users (56.3 percent of the population), the market to 98 percent of smartphone sales as consumers prefer to
continues to thrive. Honor, ZTE, Samsung, Transsion, and Xiaomi experience devices before buying. (October 8, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com

Tunisia

The Ministry of Communication Technologies and Digital and 100 MHz of TDD spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band for 5G use.
Economy has officially granted 5G licenses to three major telecom The Ministry has also allocated three 20 MHz blocks available
operators: Tunisie Telecom, Orange Tunisie, and Ooredoo Tunisia. for operators upon request, with other frequency bands to be
This decision marks a significant milestone in the country’s released in future phases. Originally aiming for a commercial 5G
digital transformation, with commercial 5G services set to launch launch by late 2024, Minister of Communication Technologies
in 2025. The licenses were approved, following a six-month Sofiène Hmissi confirmed that the rollout will now begin in 2025.
tender process that began in June. The three operators submitted Despite the delay, Hmissi assured that the operators have already
their applications in September. Each license is valid for 15 years conducted extensive tests, pilot projects, and network upgrades
and includes 5 MHz of duplexed spectrum in the 700-MHz band in preparation for the deployment. (December 3, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com

Turkey

The National Communication Workshop organized by the electronic communications sector in particular is one of the areas
Communication Technologies Cluster (HTK) was held with the where this transformation is felt most rapidly and deeply. Because
participation of Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure it is a subject that is directly related to technology. Technology
Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan and President of the Information equals change, change equals development.” Stating that the
Technologies and Communication Authority Ömer Abdullah interest of citizens in electronic communication technologies
Karagözoğlu. The workshop brought together representatives of is reflected in the figures, Sayan said, “We currently have 93.3
the communication and communications sector and discussed million mobile subscribers, corresponding to a penetration rate
developments in 5G and beyond local and national technologies of approximately 109.3%, while the number of M2M subscribers
and cyber security issues. Speaking at the workshop, Deputy has reached 10 million. In addition, the availability of high-speed
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan internet over mobile and fixed infrastructures constitutes one of
said, “The world of technology is changing rapidly every day the fundamental goals of our country in the field of technology.”
and this change is deeply affecting every area of our lives. The (November 2, 2024) www.btk.gov.tr

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