Page 118 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

lower prices and better quality, all illustrate the importance of the Directors held their third meeting of 2019. At the beginning of the
deployment of the National Broadband Network using fiber-optic meeting, the Board expressed their sincere regrets for the demise
cables, which was achieved through the Batelco’s separation of the Board Chairman Dr. Mohamed Al Amer, praising his long
process. The network will enable the provision of high-speed term serving the Telecoms industry and his effective contribution
broadband services to individual and business users.” Sh. Nasser and prompt response as a Chairman in improving TRA’s operations
added. The survey included a sample of 1548 individuals in the and services to further develop the telecommunications sector
age group of 15 years and above, who were surveyed on the in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In the ten years under his guidance
availability and use of various telecommunication services as well since 2008, TRA made significant strides towards the execution
as their satisfaction with telecommunication and online services. of the Government’s policy to maintain the Kingdom’s position
(October 9, 2019) tra.gov.ae among developing countries, helping shape the nation as a
regional and international exemplar in ICT, which will continue to
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has enable the Kingdom’s economy as one capable of continuously
participated in the 17th annual meeting of Arab Regulatory adapting to change and ready to tackle future challenges. The
Network (AREGNET) which was held during the period from Board also noted his many achievements and contributions
24 – 26 September 2019 in Tunisia. TRA Bahrain delegation across multiple sectors, commending his lifelong dedication to
was headed by Shaikh Nasser Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Acting public service. During the meeting, Board members discussed key
General Director of TRA, who gave a welcome note indicating the issues related to the telecommunications sector in; praising the
major achievements of AREGENET during the chairmanship of Executive Management’s outstanding efforts in the development
TRA Bahrain. Shaikh Nasser also added that “We live in a world and growth of the telecommunications sector in the Kingdom of
of rapidly changing technology, particularly in telecom. How we Bahrain, in particular, TRA’s significant efforts in accomplishing
communicate has made leaps and bounds since the days where the Batelco Separation project and delivering the project in an
all we had were voice calls. This means we have opportunities efficient manner meeting the target set by the Government of
that are exploitable industry-wide. We can now look forward to three years. The Board also praised the Executive Management
advancements in technology like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of for their efforts in working towards enabling the launch of 5G
Things, Digital Currencies and 5G mobile networks which are all networks through securing the necessary spectrum and adequate
important topics of focus for all of us in light of major technological frequency licenses to keep pace with the latest developments in
changes occurring around us”. On the last day of the meeting, the telecommunications technologies and services for the benefit of
general assembly meeting was held during which TRA Bahrain consumers in Bahrain. This makes it among the first countries in
as chair of the current round handed over the chairmanship to the region to launch a 5G network, promoting its leading position
the National Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications of as an exemplar in 5G deployment. The Board also expressed their
Tunisia. The meeting was attended by representatives from appreciation to the Executive Management for their endeavors
Arab Regulators who presented the projects related to the towards protecting consumers in the telecommunications section
sector. TRA Bahrain also chaired the expert group meeting, by implementing and improving its regulations and enhancing its
during which regulators from all the Arab region came together consumer-related systems to maintain effective communication
to discuss and review the updates of various joint projects and between TRA, consumers and the telecommunications service
working groups. TRA Bahrain hosted a series of workshops and providers. The Board also commended the Executive Management
meetings as part of its activities in AREGNET during April 2019. on promoting their performance to the highest levels of excellence
The outcome of the working group meetings was presented and and innovation and stressed on continuing to work in a transparent
very welcomed by AREGENET members. The meeting also shed manner in dealing with all the sector-related issues, as well
light on new projects which will be addressed during the coming as on its position as an exemplar regulator in all its initiatives
round including topics like the economic effects of over-the-top and strategies at a regional and international level through
(OTT) application, emergency communications in the Arab region, constructive cooperation with the international organizations.
utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the telecommunications The Board of Directors expressed their thanks and appreciation to
and ICT sectors and the new generation of mobile network (5G). the TRA team members for their support and professionalism and
(October 8, 2019) tra.gov.ae outstanding role in developing the sector. This came as a result
of the hard work and persistence of the highly professional team
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s (TRA) Board of members that this was made possible. (October 1, 2019) tra.org.bh

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) the mobile operators with a condition that they will have to bring
officially disclosed its primary decision of making 5G internet all the district headquarters under 5G service by 2023 while the
service available in the country by 2021. BTRC gave licenses to entire country by 2026. The commission revealed the information

118 OCTOBER 2019