Page 104 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Regulatory Committee chaired by Acting Governor of various vital sectors. The meeting reviewed and followed up
the Commission held its regular meeting, The meeting was aimed on the implementation of recommendations from previous
to harmonize the regulation of digital issues shared by entities meetings, in addition to discussing the results of a study on
and ensure the highest level of coordination and cooperation artificial intelligence regulations in digital markets. The meeting
between regulatory bodies in the Kingdom. This was achieved also included a discussion of coordination efforts to activate the
by conducting studies to evaluate best practices, submitting participation of member agencies in the Global Symposium for
proposals, and launching initiatives to bridge regulatory gaps, Regulators (GSR25).
enhance the exchange of expertise, and build capacity across (August 5, 2025) www.cst.gov.sa

Sri Lanka

Edotco Group became the first company to secure a The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Telecommunications Infrastructure Services License in Sri Lanka, (TRCSL) has announced that the Number Portability (NP) service
marking a landmark regulatory shift as the country ramps up will be launched next year. This service will enable mobile users
digital transformation efforts. The license was granted to the to switch their service provider while retaining their existing
tower company’s local subsidiary Edotco Services Lanka by phone number. The TRCSL confirmed that significant progress
the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka has been made towards implementing number portability. Initial
(TRCSL) during a ceremony on Tuesday (2 September). Edotco is consultations with telephone operators led to the development
permitted to offer a full range of passive and active infrastructure of a comprehensive implementation plan. In 2021, a public
services, including towers, poles, fiber, in-building systems, small consultation paper was published to gather feedback from all
cells and other components integral to Sri Lanka’s connectivity relevant stakeholders. Following further discussions, a suitable
push. MD of Edotco Sri Lanka, described the license as a “vote of technical model was selected. To manage the service, Lanka
confidence” in the company’s capabilities, adding more than 7,000 Number Portability Services (Guarantee) Limited was established,
new towers will be required nationwide to meet 5G deployment involving all fixed and mobile operators. The company has been
targets, with data usage projected to quadruple by 2028. Sri officially licensed by TRCSL to operate the number portability
Lanka’s new licensing framework signals a major policy change as system. Additionally, the Attorney General’s Department has
the country opens up its telecoms sector to independent, neutral- approved the rules and guidelines for number portability, which
host tower companies for the first time. The move introduces were prepared in collaboration with telecom operators. The service
a dedicated licensing regime aimed at boosting infrastructure will officially commence once the number portability system is
sharing, accelerating network rollout and expanding digital access fully set up and operator networks are upgraded. TRCSL will notify
across the island. During the ceremony, TRCSL Director General the public when the service is ready for use.
explained until now the country’s telecoms sector “has relied on (August 5, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com
fragmented models that limited the pace and efficiency of network
rollout”. (September 4, 2025) www.mobileworldlive.com

Syria

Syrian Minister of Communications and Technology Abdul Syria and Saudi Arabia in the telecommunications and digital
Salam Haikal has returned from an official visit to Saudi Arabia, development sector.” Haikal confirmed that bilateral cooperation is
highlighting the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey as an rooted in a strategic vision set by Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara
“exceptional experience” and a source of inspiration for Syria’s and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with the next
own modernization efforts. Writing on the “X” platform, Haikal stage expected to translate this vision into tangible projects that
expressed gratitude for the warm Saudi reception, describing it as benefit both nations and the wider region. The visit underscores
a reflection of the deep brotherly ties between the two nations. He Syria’s growing interest in regional partnerships to accelerate
emphasized that the Syrian delegation strongly felt the spirit of its digital transformation, with Saudi Arabia positioned as a key
integration and joint work, noting: “We return to Damascus with partner in advancing ICT collaboration and integration.
a doubled conviction of the prospects for integration between (September 9, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com

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