Page 76 - SAMENA Trends - September 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TRA UAE Participates in the Broadband Commission for Sustainable

Development Goals 2030 in New York

The UAE, represented by the of their broadband use, as it is the real level advocacy to promote broadband in
General Authority for Regulating the foundation of the ICT sector. We in the developing countries and underserved
Telecommunications Sector (TRA), UAE strongly believe that broadband is the communities. One of the central roles of
participated in the 2030 targets of the foundation for the future, and therefore we the Commission is to advocate for higher
Broadband Commission for Sustainable are adopting plans and strategies that aim priority to be given to the development of
Development, held in New York, USA to promote broadband penetration. We are broadband infrastructure and services, to
as part of the 74th session of the keen to support all decisions that would ensure that the benefits of this technology
UN General Assembly, where high- enhance broadband in the Arab region is realized in all countries. Governments
level commissioners from various in particular and the world in general, and industry need to work together, hand-
governmental and industrial sectors leading to the achievement of sustainable in-hand, to devise strategies for driving
came up with solutions to accelerate the development goals and increasing welfare the roll-out of these networks much
pace of digital transformation in LDCs, and happiness of human societies.” He more proactively. In 2018, given the shift
and showcased a number of innovative of pointed out that the UAE has become an towards new UN development Agenda
digital transformation and their social and exemplary global model for broadband 2030 and new challenges of a digital
economic impact across the world. During deployment, adding: “The UAE has world, the Commission re-evaluated
the Commission meeting, the UAE submitted ranked first globally in mobile broadband and launched new framework of Targets
a joint proposal in cooperation with Saudi subscriptions, and this achievement is the 2025 in support of “Connecting the
Arabia to establish a working group result of plans and strategies developed by Other Half” of the world’s population.
entitled “Towards useful communication”, the UAE government under the guidance These targets seek to expand broadband
focusing on several elements in terms of its wise leadership and the team spirit infrastructure, and Internet access and
of connecting countries to the Internet. of government entities. We at the TRA use by populations around the world, in
Commenting on this participation, are eager to spread the leading Emirati support of achievement of the Sustainable
Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, TRA Director experience to the benefit of all.” The Development Goals established by the
General, Broadband Commission Member, Broadband Commission engages in high- United Nations.
said: “The Broadband Commission for
Sustainable Development Goals aims to
underline the importance of broadband in
the international policy agenda, broaden
access to broadband by all countries as
a key to accelerating progress towards
national and international development
goals, and identify practical ways that can
help countries achieve their development
goals in cooperation with the private
sector.” Al Mansouri stressed that the
participation of the UAE as a Commission
member reflects the vital role played by
the country in international forums and
its concerted efforts in supporting all
decisions and proposals that promote
digital transformation at the regional and
global levels. He added: “All sustainable
development processes that countries are
currently pursuing depend on the extent

PTA Warns Zong Over 5G Adverts

Sector watchdog the Pakistan to test 5G technology and the company availability of commercial services based
Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is not authorized to offer a commercial on [a] 5G network’ and instructed the
has published a statement reminding 5G service. The PTA claimed that company to withdraw the relevant material.
the public that Chinese-owned mobile certain advertisements from the cellco
provider Zong has only been permitted may ‘mislead the public regarding [the]
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