Page 121 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Kuwait and Estonia inked a Memorandum of Understanding He stressed the importance of the memo in materializing Kuwait’s
(MoU) on bolstering cooperation on cyber security and digital vision on digital transformation to turn the country into a financial
transformation within the framework of the exerted efforts aiming hub by 2035. It will also contribute to developing cooperation
to materialize Kuwait’s vision in this matter. The MoU was signed in digital governance, cyber security, digital transformation and
by Chairman and CEO of Communications and Information other relevant domains, he noted. In addition, the memo will
Technology Regulatory Authority Salim Al-Ozainah and Executive help share information on cyber security, learning, joint training,
Director of Estonia’s Communication and Information Technology combating cybercrimes, building capabilities and others, he
Siim Sikkut in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. Speaking to KUNA in stated. Meanwhile, Sikkut said the memo would contribute to
a statement, Al-Ozainah expressed delight for inking this MoU, sharing expertise and developing human resources, which run
which comes in culmination of the efforts and negotiations innovative government services.
conducted between the concerned bodied of the two countries. (October 20, 2019) citra.gov.kw

Nepal

The Nepalese government has awarded Nepal Telecom (NT) a despite being initiated more than three years ago, noting Nepal
NPR3 billion (USD26 million) contract to lay fiber-optic cabling Telecom (NT), Smart Telecom and United Telecom (UTL) have
in the western provinces of Karnali Pradesh and Sudurpashchim all missed project deadlines. Nepal’s telecoms regulator, the
Pradesh. The announcement follows the recent decision by Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), has now taken the
Nepal’s telecoms regulator, the Nepal Telecommunications step of cancelling Smart Telecom’s contract to lay 2,500km of
Authority (NTA), to terminate the contract originally awarded to fiber-optic cable in Provinces 6 and 7, awarded in September
Smart Telecom in September 2017, after a review of the project 2017, as the company had only installed 20km of cabling. The
found the company had installed less than 1% of the planned NTA previously cancelled a contract awarded to UTL in April 2017
2,500km fiber-optic cable infrastructure along the Mid-Hill after the company failed to initiate work on the project in Gandaki
Highway. (October 29, 2019) Nepalitelecom.com Province and Province 5, while NT has only recently begun work
in Provinces 1, 2 and 3 following a series of delays.
Nepal’s government-led project to lay fiber-optic cabling along (October 22, 2019) The Himalayan Times
the Mid-Hill Highway has failed to make any real progress

Oman

The Ministry of Technology and Communication in Oman manufacturing, tourism, economy, and other sectors through
together with Oman Broadband and Ooredoo has launched the providing high-quality eServices.” (October 23, 2019) intelligentcio.com
high-speed Oman Government Network (OGN) in Muscat. This is
an integrated and safe government network that meets the future The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has
demands of e.oman projects, like the G-Cloud, the official Oman announced more details of its 5G roadmap as per the country’s
eGovernment services portal, the National Data Center and other Vision 2040 strategy plan. On 15 October 2019 the industry
e.oman infrastructure projects. Dhafir bin Saif Al-Kalbani, Director regulator revealed that domestic operators Omantel and Ooredoo
General of Infrastructure, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of have been granted rights to use a 100MHz block of 5G spectrum
Technology and Communication, said: “The high-speed Oman to introduce a range of advanced and innovative services in the
Government Network replaced the current OGN in 63 government coming years. The TRA’s statement read: ‘The authority began
entities in Muscat including all ministry headquarters and some early preparations to enable companies to provide 5G services
of their main branches in the capital. “They were linked using fiber and exempt companies from annual frequency usage fees for
optics network in a way that helps these entities in benefiting from one year to encourage investment in the sector,’ adding that ‘In
the new network to provide their eServices with a better quality the next five years, 4,400 [base] stations will be constructed by
and a speed that reaches 1 GB in all government sites. “Moreover, Omantel and Ooredoo and they will conduct workshops to inform
the new network will play a role in upgrading the capacity of the relevant government agencies of the applications in preparation
OGN’s ISDN lines and elevating its quality while decreasing the for their readiness to use it.’ It is understood that 1,000 new
previous costs. Our hope for this network is for it to have a vital BTS will be deployed in 2019-2020 which TRA says displays
role in supporting a quicker Digital Transformation process in the Sultanate’s readiness for fifth-generation mobile services to
Oman and serving all important sectors like health, education, enable cellcos to ‘employ artificial intelligence in data analysis

121 OCTOBER 2019