Page 119 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

during a program titled “Seminar on 5G in Bangladesh” held at BTRC Chairman Md Jahurul Haque was quoted as saying: ‘The
Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at Dhaka’s Ramna. government might be considering giving a waiver on late fees for
Posts and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar, who was a swift resolution … We still stand by the audit findings, but the
present at the program, said 5G and fourth industrial revolution government has the final say.’ The impasse between the regulator
are interrelated. “5G is not only related with telecom services, it and the two cellcos – which vehemently dispute the audit claims
will also help boost digitization and automation in every sector.” A – prompted Bangladeshi Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal to step
committee formed by BTRC is already working to make a guideline in as a mediator last month; the official said at the time: ‘If we
on 5G which will be available from the first quarter of next year, the continue with our claims, a resolution will take a long time and
Minister added. BTRC Chairman Md. Jahurul Haque also spoke that will hamper the mobile operators’ business and restrict our
during the program. The government introduced 4G services in revenue growth too.’ Due to the impasse with the BTRC, the two
2018 and 3G in 2013. (October 16, 2019) thedailystar.net operators are currently banned from getting approvals for new
services and packages and cannot import equipment to maintain
The Bangladeshi government is reportedly considering waiving their networks. In July 2019 the BTRC slashed GP’s bandwidth
GrameenPhone (GP) and Robi’s late fees, which amount to nearly by 30% and Robi’s by 15% for the non-payment of the dues,
a half of the BDT134.5 billion (USD1.56 billion) claimed by the but the block was lifted by mid-July as it was causing issues
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to subscribers. Further, the BTRC threatened GP and Robi with
as unpaid dues in its 2019 audit. According to the country’s cancellations of their 2G/3G concessions if the requested sums
legislation, a 15% compound rate is applied on late fees; of the were not settled, prompting GP and Robi to file cases with a
BDT125.8 billion owed by GP, BDT61.9 billion is late fees, while Dhaka court, seeking permanent injunctions against the telecom
Robi’s BDT8.7 billion dues comprise BDT1.7 billion of late fees. regulator’s audit claims. (October 3, 2019) The Daily Star

Egypt

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology said three percent, commercial landlines at 12 percent, and home
in a report that the number of mobile subscribers increased to 94 landlines at 85 percent. The number of telecommunications and
million, while the number of mobile internet subscribers reached information technology companies reached 456 from January
38.79 million in June 2019 compared to 38.60 million in May until March, compared to 357 companies during the same period
2019 and 34.27 million in June 2018. The ministry added that the in 2018. In 2015, the number of mobile subscribers increased
number of ADSL subscribers declined to 6.88 million in June 2019 by 214.37 percent from 30.3 million at the end of 2007 to 94.59
compared to 6.91 subscribers in May 2019. The number of ADSL million in October 2014, driven by the growth of low cost pre-paid
subscribers was 5.82 million in June 2018. The number of landline subscriptions. The number of Internet subscribers rose by 375.75
subscribers declined to 8.21 million in June 2019, compared to percent in October of 2014 to 46.96 million from 9.87 million at
7.40 million in June 2018, with the ministry clarifying that the the end of 2007.
number of governmental landline subscribers is estimated at (October 14, 2019) egyptindependent.co

Iran

The expansion of communication services and promotion of in the country. The mobile internet penetration rate is lower and
telecom infrastructure investment have been high on President stands at 78.14%. About two years ago, the rates stood at 53.53%
Hassan Rouhani’s agenda since he took office for the first time in and 41.72% respectively. Iran has over 64 million mobile internet
2013. Data released by the Communications Regulatory Authority subscribers, in addition to the registration of 10.3 million landline
of Iran show that the sector has observed significant growth over internet subscriptions.
the past few years. Internet penetration rate has reached 90.78% (October 7, 2019) financialtribune.com

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