Page 135 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain in this critical sector, and it aims at improving readiness for latest
releases its 2020 report on the country's mobile network quality of applications like the Internet of Things and Machine-to-Machine
service. The Audit demonstrates that the Kingdom has found high communications. (May 26, 2021) tra.org.bh
quality of service networks accessible, with 5G download speeds
exceeding 2 Gbps, as the maximum value that was detected in the According to the Key Market in Digital Transformation trends
measurements. The average speeds of 5G technology reached within the Telecom Sector in Bahrain, the kingdom is considered
approximately 440 Mbps. Commenting on the report, Eng. to be a regional player in digital transformation owing to its
Mohamed Alnoaimi, TRA’s Director of Technical & Operations premature realization about the potential and importance of
stated: “Preparing for the introduction of the latest mobile technology that enables its economic growth, human development
technologies is one of the most important strategic objectives and job creation among others, It is well known for its support
of TRA. TRA has worked with the Ministry of Transportation for technology-driven businesses with government bodies taking
and Telecommunications and all relevant government entities care of regulatory role and governance. For instance, Bahrain
to facilitate the launch of 5G services and to make the Kingdom was the first country in GCC to liberalize its telecom sector as it
of Bahrain one of the first countries to cover the population of stands to lead the region with well-established information and
Bahrain with 5G technologies, as it is easily available to citizens communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. The region has
and residents.” “The Audit showed the results of coverage, billing issued standards for IoT connectivity with support for the use of
accuracy, and quality of service in general for all wireless Internet frequency bands for IoT systems that are used in international
services and the results of 5G networks in particular. The Audit mobile communications systems and it also has issued the
results are considered a quantum leap in data download and working document in order to harmonize the use IMT spectrum
upload speeds and quick response, especially with regards to for the narrowband IoT applications. Additionally, the region also
the 5G services section. This is part of the Kingdom's efforts to has ensured that its wireless and fiber are arranged to support
make it an attractive center for investment maintaining its leading 5G and has reformed its frequency bands to accommodate the
position regionally and internationally in telecommunications and 5G networks. For instance, In June 2019, Batelco announced
information technology services.” Eng. Mohamed added. “We must the launch of commercial 5G network available in Amwaj and
commend the role of telecommunications companies that have Reef Island, making it the first telecom provider in Bahrain to
invested in these technologies and provided them to consumers implement commercial 5G network. The Bahrain Airport deploys
in the Kingdom of Bahrain, enabling them to access multiple advanced Information and communications technology (ICT)
Internet services efficiently at better speeds." Eng. Mohamed also solutions including IoT, cloud-based unified communications,
added. The Audit highlights mobile coverage, service efficiency, and big data among others for the deployment communication
and billing. It also covers quality of service, consumer experience, system across the entire airport. Additionally, it also delivers data
testing download, upload, latency, various Social Media Apps, and sharing and analytics capabilities to leverage systems including
webpage navigation, showcasing the evolution of networks of all Airport Operation Database and, Airport Collaborative Decision-
three MNOs currently offering 5G technology. TRA is constantly Making.
assuring that Bahrain preserves its status as a leading global hub (April 28, 2021) marketwatch.com

Bangladesh

Bangladesh ended March with more than 174.6 million mobile at 80.7 million while Robi has 51.9 million, Banglalink 36.2 million,
phone subscribers, up from 173.3 million in February, revealed and state-owned Teletalk 5.6 million. In terms of mobile SIM
the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission subscriber growth, the growth rate of mobile SIM subscribers
(BTRC). The telecom regulator disclosed the subscriber number is lower in February-March as compared to January-February.
considering the biometrically verified subscriptions who have Meanwhile, the total number of Internet subscribers reached
any activity including voice, data, and SMS transactions at least 116.1 million in March; says a separate report of BTRC. A large
once in the preceding 90 days. Among all mobile operators, Robi part of the new Internet customers consists of cell phone users
Axiata Ltd, the second-largest operator in the country, received – 3.1 million – who recently subscribed to Internet services of
the highest with nearly 400,000 new users while market leader different mobile operators, whereas broadband Internet providers
Grameenphone and No 3 Banglalink each got 300000 new received only 200000 new users.
subscribers. Currently, Grameenphone's total subscribers stand (May 3, 2021) developingtelecoms.com

135 APRIL-MAY 2021