Page 84 - SAMENA Trends - December 2023
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REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES  SAMENA TRENDS

        NTRA Hosts First Regulatory Forum for Citizen Services


                                                                                 highlighted the importance of participatory
                                                                                 regulation  among  all  regulatory  agencies
                                                                                 and  authorities,  as  the  cornerstone  of
                                                                                 digital  transformation  and  the provision
                                                                                 of integrated  digital  services in different
                                                                                 scopes.  He  said  that  participatory  digital
                                                                                 services  depend  mainly  on  coordination
                                                                                 between various sectors. He added that it
                                                                                 was necessary to achieve integration and
                                                                                 cooperation among regulatory authorities to
                                                                                 create an effective regulatory environment
                                                                                 for governing services and addressing the
                                                                                 challenges raised by emerging technologies
                                                                                 and  integrated  digital  services.  He  also
                                                                                 stressed  the  importance  of participatory
                                                                                 regulation  among  regulatory  authorities
                                                                                 and  institutions  as  a  major global  trend
                                                                                 in  service  regulation  and  provision,  and
        The National Telecom Regulatory Authority   to support  and enhance  the  State’s   one of the  most  important  mechanisms
        of Egypt (NTRA) hosted the first Regulatory   efforts  to achieve  digital  transformation   and  criteria  for evaluating  and  ranking
        Forum  for  Citizen  Services,  with  the   and  provide  high-quality  digital  services   countries  on  the  global  indicators  set  by
        participation  of six  regulatory  authorities:   for  citizens.  The  forum  addressed  three   international  organizations.  He  noted  that
        the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency   major  axes:  raising  social awareness  of   the International Telecommunication Union
        (EEAA),  the  National  Organization  for   digital  services  and  how to obtain  them,   (ITU) chose Egypt as a model for successful
        Social Insurance  (NOSI),  the  Egyptian   the  importance  and  role  of cybersecurity   countries in  implementing  participatory
        Water  and  Wastewater  and  Consumer   in  securing  critical  infrastructure,  and  the   regulatory frameworks for telecom services
        Protection  Regulatory Authority (EWRA),   regulatory and governing role of the State’s   provided to users, in a study conducted by
        Gas   Regulatory  Authority  (GASREG),  different regulatory authorities to preserve   ITU on many countries. This was a result of
        Waste  Management  Regulatory Authority   the  rights  of users.  It  also  discussed   the progress made by Egypt in moving up
        (WMRA), and  Land  Transport  Regulatory   ways  to  achieve  participatory  regulation   to a higher level of digital technologies in
        Authority (LTRA). The forum aimed to share   among  entities  to  ensure  citizens  are   the  Global  Connectivity  Index.  The  report
        expertise,  achieve cooperation among   satisfied  with  the  services  provided.   issued  by  ITU  praised  the  NTRA  and  the
        regulatory authorities,  and  improve  the   Hossam  El-Gamal,  Executive  President   Egyptian experience for using participatory
        quality of life and service level for citizens.   of  NTRA,  emphasized  the  importance  of   regulation as a tool to achieve an integrated
        It also aimed to maximize the use of digital   cooperation  among regulatory authorities   digital  economy and  create  an  active
        services  and  ensure  citizens  can  access   to have a unified vision of providing digital   regulatory  environment  that  efficiently
        them smoothly. The forum was organized   services  smoothly  and  quickly.  He  also   provides digital services.




        Ofcom Opens Consultation on Allocation of Expiring Spectrum


        Switzerland’s  Federal  Office  of  Communi-  cerns  airwaves  in  the  800MHz,  900MHz,   such, use of the range for mobile commu-
        cations  (Ofcom,  or  Bundesamt  fur  Kom-  1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz bands   nications would be restricted. Similarly, the
        munikation,  Bakom) has  opened  a  public   that  are  currently  assigned  to  operators   mmWave is also partially assigned to radio
        consultation  on the  allocation  of mobile   Swisscom, Salt and Sunrise until the end of   relay  links,  satellite  communications  and
        spectrum that will become available from   2028. Ofcom is also seeking opinions and   other telecom services, but the government
        2029,  when  existing  licenses  expire.  The   feedback  on  the  allocation  of additional   has ruled out the allocation of mmWave fre-
        consultation looks to determine the needs   spectrum in the 6GHz, 26GHz and 40GHz   quencies for mobile communications until
        of operators and level  of demand  for  the   ranges. The regulator notes that the 6GHz   there is sufficient demand and the neces-
        spectrum, as  well  as  obtaining  the  opin-  band  is  currently  assigned  to radio  relay   sary environmental  legal  framework has
        ions of interested parties on the allocation   links and partly to satellite communications   been established.
        process.  The  consultation  primarily con-  and has already been partially allocated. As




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