Page 75 - SAMENA Trends - September 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Pakistan

The number of 3G and 4G users in Pakistan reached 103.12 the 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands. The decision by Ufone’s three
million by end-August 2021 compared to 101.59 million by the competitors – Jazz, part of Netherlands-registered group VEON,
end-July 2021, registering an increase of 1.53 million, revealed Norwegian-owned Telenor Pakistan and Zong, a subsidiary
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) data. The number of China Mobile – sparked criticism of the auction process,
of cellular subscribers in Pakistan increased by 0.67 million to particularly the pricing of the airwaves. Local daily cites PTA
185.57 million by end-August 2021 compared to 184.90 million Chairman Amir Azeem Bajwa as saying that the auction could not
by the end of July. Teledensity for cellular mobile increased from be termed a failure as all providers were invited to participate and
84.41 percent by the end of July 2021 to 84.67 percent by end- only those that needed the spectrum purchased it. Addressing
August. The total teledensity increased from 86.55 percent by the the case for each of the trio that withdrew from the process, the
end of July 2021 to 86.81 percent by end-August. Monthly Next official claimed that Jazz and Telenor currently have sufficient
Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration stood at 47.05 spectrum resources to meet their needs whilst Zong is involved in
percent by end-August 2021 compared to 46.38 percent in July litigation regarding a portion of its spectrum allocation and ‘they
2021. Jazz’s total count for 3G users stood at 7.438 million by must be hoping to have it sooner or later’. The chairman went on
end-August compared to 7.598 million by the end of July 2021, to argue that the cost for the licenses was not high, claiming that
registering a decrease of 0.16 million. Jazz 4G user numbers the prices were lower than other countries in the region, naming
jumped from 31.745 million by the end of July 2021 to 32.767 Bangladesh and India as examples. Ufone is a wholly-owned
million by end-August. Zong 3G subscribers decreased from 4.204 subsidiary of fixed line incumbent Pakistan Telecommunication
million by the end of July to 4.046 million by end-August, while Company Limited (PTCL), in which the government has a majority
the number of 4G users jumped from 23.581 million by the end interest whilst UAE-based Etisalat group holds a minority stake
of July 24.099 million by end-August. The number of 3G users of and management control. (September 13, 2021) dawn.com
Telenor decreased from 4.984 million by the end of July to 4.777
million by end-August. The number of 4G users jumped from The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled in favor of sector
17.791 million by the end of July 18.333 million by end-August. watchdog the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in
Ufone 3G users decreased from 4.373 million by the end of July a dispute with cellcos Telenor Pakistan and Jazz over the price
to 4.292 million by end-August. The number of 4G users of Ufone of their license renewals. The pair had challenged the PTA’s
increased from 6.212 million by the end of July 2021 to 6.246 decision to impose a last-minute price hike on their concessions
million by end-August. The PTA received 16,028 complaints from in early 2019, shortly before the licenses were due for renewal.
telecom consumers against various telecom operators, including The watchdog had published its policy for the renewals in the
(cellular operators, PTCL, LDIs, WLL operators, and ISPs) as of same month that the licenses were due to expire and increased
August 2021. (September 27, 2021) techjuice.pk the cost to nearly USD450 million. By comparison, the PTA had
charged state-backed provider Ufone USD291 million for the
State-backed cellco Ufone has been named as the sole winner renewal of its concession in 2016. The IHC dismissed the appeal,
of the recent spectrum auction, with the provider purchasing an accepting the PTA’s argument that the setting of the license
additional 2×9MHz in the 1800MHz band for the reserve prices of fee is at the regulator’s discretion. Both Telenor and Jazz are
USD279 million. Sector watchdog the Pakistan Telecommunication reportedly planning to take the matter to the Supreme Court, but
Authority (PTA) noted that Ufone was the only company to submit will continue to make payments to the regulator based on the
an offer for the available spectrum, which included frequencies in PTA’s new license fee. (September 2, 2021) ProPakistani

Qatar

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) published the applicable regulatory framework. The audit covered mobile
summary results report of its extensive audit of mobile networks voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS), and mobile internet
that was conducted from September to December 2020 to assess data services which include the service provided through the
the improvements of the Quality of Service (QoS) levels offered Fifth Generation (5G) network. The audit was conducted during
by the telecom Service Providers in Qatar; Ooredoo Qatar Q.P.S.C. the peak hours of working days on more than 55,000 samples
and Vodafone Qatar P.Q.S.C. The audit measured some of the that were collected from different areas in Qatar including main
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the services provided by roads and highways, major pedestrian areas as well as several
the Service Providers, which are in line with the standards and indoor locations. The CRA used its QoS systems in addition to
conditions of the licenses granted to them by the CRA and the the latest versions of devices and smartphones, to obtain results

75 SEPTEMBER 2021