Page 116 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Generation Connect Arab States Youth The young participants who have interest launch of the Network of Women (NoW) in
Group in contributing to ICT policies and are the Arab region, the fourth such regional
The RPM-ARB featured Arab youth aged between 18-24, will remain engaged network established in ITU's development
representatives who shared their insights in the run-up to WTDC-21, as well as in sector ahead of WTDC-21. The network
on the common major digital issues facing the preceding Generation Connect Youth will offer mentoring opportunities, and
young people in the Arab region and Summit. The Generation Connect – Arab aims to support female delegates in
their perspectives on the future of digital Youth Group, formed as part of the global taking on greater responsibilities within
communication. The Generation Connect Generation Connect initiative, promotes their delegations, as well as to create
- Arab Youth Group (GC-ARB), comprising meaningful youth engagement and opportunities for women to connect with
selected young people from across the participation in the international dialogue each other and share their experiences.
region, pledged to work together to identify on digital development. Women accounted for half of delegates
regional thematic priorities and outline key at RPM Arab States – the highest share
opportunities and challenges in a crowd- Network of Women for the ITU of female representation at any WTDC
sourced document to be presented by the Telecommunication Development Sector regional preparatory meeting to date.
digital youth envoys after the RPM-ARB. RPM Arab States marked the official

CRTC To Mandate Access to Facilities-Based MVNOs Following Mobile

Market Review

Following the completion of its mobile infrastructure and spectrum, albeit regulator confirming that it will require that
market review, the Canadian Radio- under certain conditions. These national the country’s national wireless carriers
television and Telecommunications providers, and SaskTel, will be required implement a seamless roaming service.
Commission (CRTC) has announced a to file proposed terms and conditions for Further, with the regulator claiming that
number of retail and wholesale measures a facilities-based MVNO access service national providers have ‘an edge’ with
which it hopes will ‘spur more mobile within 90 days. Meanwhile, regional regards to 5G networks when considering
wireless competition for Canadians’. providers using the MVNO service will have factors such as national network coverage
Headlining the regulator’s plans is to file annual progress updates with the and retail market power, it has also
confirmation that it seeks to promote Commission, starting one year after they confirmed that the wholesale roaming
sustainable competition and affordable subscribe to the service. With regards to policy will apply to fifth-generation
retail prices for Canadians by mandating eligibility, the regulator notes that regional infrastructure. As such, national providers
access to facilities-based MVNOs. As providers will be able to become an MVNO have been directed to file amended tariffs
per the CRTC’s decision, it will require in areas where they have purchased a with the CRTC within 90 days of the
Bell Mobility, Rogers and Telus, as well as spectrum licence at the tier 4 level or regulator’s decision. Seamless roaming,
SaskTel, to provide access to their mobile higher (tiers 3, 2 or 1). A number of retail meanwhile, must be offered by operators
wireless networks to regional wireless measures will complement the CRTC’s by 15 April 2022. Lastly, the CRTC said it
providers that have invested in network wholesale measures, meanwhile, with the is taking action to ensure that Canadians
– including seniors, low-income earners
and those who use their mobile phone
sparingly – can benefit from more
affordable mobile plans that meet their
needs. To that end, Bell, Rogers, Telus and
SaskTel will be expected to introduce low-
cost and occasional-use plans in most
markets by 14 July 2021, while promoting
these ‘on their websites, in person and
over the phone’. All four providers will be
required to file semi-annual reports that
include information on what low-cost
and occasional-use plans are available,
on what brands, how they are promoted,
and the uptake of those plans, and these
reports will be made available on the
CRTC’s website. The first semi-annual
report must be filed by 30 September 2021.

116 APRIL-MAY 2021