Page 139 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

or improve access to more than 23GHz of spectrum for a wide telecommunications, information technology and postal sector.
range of uses, of which 4GHz will be licensed, 6.2GHz will be The Governor said that the progress in the communications and
license-exempt, and more than 13GHz will be lightly licensed. information technology sector embodies the wise leadership’s
Consequently, CITC is planning to allocate licensed spectrum in support for this vital sector, along with the follow-up of the Minister
the 600MHz, 700MHz, 1500MHz, extended 2100MHz, 3800MHz- of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of
4000MHz and 26GHz frequency bands for mobile use between the Board of Directors of the CITC, Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, which
2021 and 2023. The CITC is planning to commence an auction resulted in the increase of digital infrastructure investments over
for 600MHz, 700MHz SDL, 723MHz-733MHz/778MHz-788MHz, the past three years to more than USD 15 billion in partnership
1980MHz-2010MHz/2170MHz-2200MHz and 3800MHz- with the private sector. He added that the number of homes
4000MHz airwaves in H2 2021, with the frequencies scheduled connected to the optical fiber network reached over 3.5 million
to be available for mobile use within one to three years after the and the 5th generation networks exceeded 12,000 towers in more
award (except for the 600MHz band, which will be subject to a than 51 cities and governorates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
clearance schedule). Spectrum in the 1500MHz and 26GHz bands noting that Saudi Arabia became among the top ten countries
will be auctioned in H2 2022. In addition, the CITC is planning to in the world in mobile internet speed. Dr. Al-Tamimi described
allocate between 2×3MHz and 2×5MHz in the 450MHz band for a the telecommunications market in the Kingdom as the most
nationwide specialized network; the procedure and the mechanism developed and largest market in the Middle East and North Africa,
of releasing the spectrum will be announced in H1 2021. where the size of the telecommunications market in the Kingdom
Mohammed Al-Tamimi, CITC’s governor, explained the reasoning was estimated at SAR 70 billion, information technology market at
behind the new spectrum outlook: ‘Allocating new spectrum for 64 billion and the size of the postal market at 6.4 billion, whereas
emerging wireless technologies to enable many use cases across the estimated market value of telecom companies reached SAR
different industries and verticals will help Saudi Arabia to build a 246 billion. He added that the communications and information
digital society. CITC is adopting a progressive spectrum policy to technology sector, along with the postal sector, which has recently
meet spectrum demand of this wireless proliferation, and enable joined the commission’s regulatory responsibilities, contributes
technologies of the future like 5G, broadband satellite and new to the Kingdom's GDP by 5.5%. The governor presented the most
generation of WiFi to have fair access to spectrum.’ prominent indicators of the communications and information
(March 31, 2021) commsupdate.com technology sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during 2020.
In 2020, there was a 135.5% increase in the prevalence of mobile
Governor of Communications and Information Technology telecommunication services, 97.8% increase in the Internet use,
Commission (CITC) Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi and Internet services covered 99% of populated areas. He noted
inaugurated here the annual Information and Communications that the number of homes connected to the optical fiber network
Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum, with the participation which reached over 3.5 million along with the 12,000 towers in
of Assistant Minister of Communications and Information more than 51 to support the 5th generation technology represents
Technology Dr. Munir Al-Desouki; Director of National Information an increase of 128% compared to 2019, adding that more than
Center, Dr. Essam Al-Wagait; leaders of telecommunications 60,000 free Wi-Fi points have been provided in public places
and postal companies in the Kingdom; and specialists of the around the Kingdom. (March 29, 2021) alriyadhdaily.com

South Sudan

South Sudan has introduced its first-ever 4G internet service the country. Khalid Abdalla, chief executive officer of Zain South
that will boost connectivity in a country that previously relied Sudan, said the company is committed to delivering the highest
on 3G broadband width. Baba Medan Konyi, deputy minister standard customer experience. “We are delighted in making
of information and broadcasting, welcomed the launch of 4G the best network in South Sudan even better,” he said. “The 4G
internet services by Zain telecom services and said it resulted internet broad bandwidth places South Sudan among countries
from concerted efforts of the government and Zain over the past offering advanced mobile data services.” Abdalla disclosed that
years. “It’s the right time to have 4G internet since government is they will be working closely with government institutions to roll
implementing the peace agreement, it will make communication out 4G internet services. He added that Zain will migrate its
easy among the people as we are going to disseminate messages customers to the latest digital technology, with 4G also set to
of peace across the country,” said Konyi during the launch in the bolster the mobile experience of 3G services by adding additional
capital, Juba. He added that the government will provide security capacity. However, no timeframe was given.
to all mobile operators to ensure improved internet service in (April 16, 2021) africanwirelesscomms.com

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