Page 74 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Libya and Egypt Sign Telecom, Technology and Technical Training

Agreements

Libyan Telecommunications and delegation headed by Minister of countries signed several agreements regarding
Information Technology Company Communications and Information communications, technology and training. These
(LPTIC) chairman Faisel Gergab held Technology Amr Talaat on 20 April included a memorandum of understanding
a meeting with a high-level Egyptian 2021, following which the two (MoU) to improve and develop the international
cable between Egypt and Libya, increasing the
performance of international services by making
use of Telecom Egypt’s submarine cables; an MoU
to share experience and knowledge regarding the
operation, maintenance and development of fiber-
optic networks; and a further MoU concerning
technical training and skills development.
Commenting on the agreements, Gergab stated:
‘We welcome the strengthening of constructive
cooperation between the two countries. The
exchange of information, experiences, and the
opening of opportunities for development and
horizons in the field of digital skills development
will lead to a future full of opportunity and
development of the new Libyan economy.’

Pakistan to Auction Mobile Telecom Spectrum in June

The auction for mobile telephony spectrum (PTA), Executive Director of the Frequency in Pakistan 2020-21. Frontier Economics
is expected to be held in June, and Allocation Board (FAB) and other officers. Ltd is one of Europe’s largest independent
consultants have expressed optimism The IT Minister informed the committee the economic consultancy firms with experts
that it will be successful because of the sale of spectrum was the key to strengthen across a range of industries including
potential available in Pakistan. The briefing and expand communication/IT services telecommunication. PTA Chairman Amir
was made by a consultant at a meeting of across the country. The committee was Azeem Bajwa also briefed the committee
the advisory committee for the release of briefed by the consultant for spectrum about the arrangements underway
Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) auction of 1,800 MHz and 2,100 MHz for the sale of available spectrum. He
spectrum at the Finance Division on bands. The committee was informed that gave a detailed presentation about the
Thursday, chaired by Federal Minister for the “Spectrum Auction Pakistan 2020-21” specifications of available spectrum bands
Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin. The was focused on regulatory consistency and methodology for sale in line with
committee approved the recommendations for the investors and increases the mobile international best practices. The meeting
for the sale of the spectrum during the broadband proliferation that will also have noted that in-depth analysis would be
meeting, and the consultant would hold an impact on the overall economic growth completed to gauge demand for spectrum
meetings with the stakeholders in the next of Pakistan. The consultant expressed and devise a strategy for its pricing and
round, and forward the brief related to the confidence that there was significant packaging. While taking stock of the
the auction process. In the next step the potential for the growth of broadband situation, the finance minister directed to
consultant will forward the ‘information and telephony across Pakistan and the expedite the sale process for the available
memorandum’ containing the details existing four cellular companies were spectrum. He stressed to provide a
of procedures related to the auction. eager to obtain additional spectrum to level playing field so that all operators
The meeting was attended by Federal harness the growth opportunities. The must have a fair and equal chance in
Minister for Science and Technology consultant expressed confidence that the the process. Mr. Tarin also stressed that
Senator Shibli Faraz, Federal Minister for auction would be a success and fetch all the key stakeholders have to ensure
IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin ul significant revenues for the government. maximum participation across the board
Haque, adviser to the PM on Commerce The consultant — Frontier Econo¬mics for successful completion of the sale
Abdul Razak Dawood, federal secretaries — and the PTA signed a contract in transaction.
of relevant ministries, chairman of the January this year for the provision of
Pakistan Tele¬communication Authority consultancy services for spectrum auction

74 APRIL-MAY 2021