Page 140 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Sri Lanka

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka out that QoS for data/ broadband is ‘expected in the near future’.
(TRCSL) has identified more than 2,000 ‘dark spots’ on the island Furthermore, Mr. Senanayake said that updating the country’s
which have ‘weak signals’, as well as observing that 122 of 152 RTT rules – part of which defines the minimum standards for
Grama Niladari Divisions (GND) currently do not have (mobile) mobile phones – the TRCSL hopes to ensure that ‘Sri Lanka will
broadband coverage. To help redress this – and mindful of its aim not be a dumping ground for fake and sub – standard devices.
to introduce fixed number portability (FNP) and mobile number The paper reports him as saying that products not approved by
portability (MNP) from October 2021 – the regulator has also 16 December 2020 must have approval under the new RTT Type
implemented two major pieces of legislation designed to improve Approval Rules while all type approval certificates issued prior to
coverage and service quality in the mobile sector. With the 16 December 2020 under the old rules will expire automatically on
TRCSL currently in the technical planning stage for introducing 17 June 2021. Finally, the official stated that issues surrounding
FNP/MNP, Oshada Senanayake, Director General TRCSL told the non-utilization of mobile spectrum – in some cases operators are
Business Times: ‘We updated the quality of service (QoS) gazette being hampered by the ‘high number of court cases on spectrum
after 18 years and also gazette the Radio Telecommunications allocation, which ultimately affected the QoS in the voice services’
Terminal (RTT) rules’. The QoS rules dictate matters such as – are now being cleared and that ‘refarming of spectrums has
‘how long a customer can be on hold by a telephone operator, the started now in a bid to overcome interference propagated by
quality of the call, bill resolutions etc.,’ he added, while pointing signals in neighboring countries. (April 13, 2021) commsupdate.com

Syria

The Syrian government has passed legislation to impose stricter legislation – Legislative Decree No. 9 of 2021 – amends Article
penalties on individuals that ‘use fraudulent means to obtain 67 of the Telecommunication Law No. 18 of 2010 to increase the
access to telecommunications services. In a statement, the penalty for obtaining telecoms services through fraudulent means
Ministry of Communication and Technology (MoCT) explained with the intention of evading the payment of fees to between
that the amendment targets those that violate the law by one- and three-years imprisonment and a fine of between SYP1
tampering with equipment to access telecoms services and million and SYP4 million (USD1,950 and USD7,800). Previously,
avoid paying the associated fees. As such, the MoCT is aiming the punishment for the offence was a prison sentence of between
to protect the rights of customers and investors and to ensure three months and two years and a fine of between SYP50,000 and
that the government can collect the dues it is owed. The new SYP500,000. (April 30, 2021) commsupdate.com

United Arab Emirates

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory long-term development for the UAE. Hence, TDRA is keen to adopt
Authority (TDRA) declared it had been ranked as one of the top and launch initiatives that enhance innovation in work to provide
three innovative entities in Middle East as per the Global Innovation best services and achieve society happiness in the UAE. Al Kitbi
Institute’s Report. The report evaluates innovation ranking for pointed out that this ranking of TDRA encourages us to exert
entities registered in the institute. TDRA has met all standards more effort and provide more innovative initiatives. He added:
and requirements set by the institute to obtain innovative entity “Leadership in ICT depends heavily on innovation and creativity
certificate. The institute has accredited a number of TDRA’s in work. This is reflected by many initiatives adopted by TDRA like
innovations developed and implemented at the national and Digital Innovation Centre and TDRA’s Digital Innovation System.
international level. About this achievement, H.E. Mohammad TDRA establishes continuous cooperation with strategic partners
Al Kitbi, Acting Deputy Director General for the Support Service and global organizations to enable and develop innovation
Sector, said: “TDRA attaches great importance to innovation as initiatives to achieve best results.” TDRA has emphasized that the
one of the elements of the national agenda 2021, under “United achievement is a result of innovation management methodology.
in Knowledge” pillar. That pillar aims at a competitive economy TDRA has global accreditation certificates in innovation, provides
driven by knowledgeable and innovative Emiratis to guarantee an innovation-friendly environment, has efficient and creative

140 APRIL-MAY 2021