Page 112 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

agreement covers preparations for the telecom operator's launch, the license to operate Iraq's national telecommunications network,
network design, commercial proposals, business growth plans, after the Council of Ministers approved its selection as the operator
and a memorandum for ongoing discussions on services and the for the national mobile license project using 5G technology. (December
optimal management model. On 26 November, Vodafone secured 4, 2024) www.shafaq.com

Jordan

Jordan is set to host the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) in the 2024
(ITU) Regional Development Forum for the Arab States Region 5G Indicators Report. By mid-2024, mobile broadband users in the
(RDF-ARB) next week, along with a regional preparatory meeting Kingdom reached around 8 million, with over 70,000 subscribing
for the World Telecommunication Development Conference to 5G services by the end of the third quarter. The expansion
(WTDC). The events will gather high-level delegations, including of 5G infrastructure also advanced, with over 230 operational
policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and representatives towers across the country, improving connectivity in key regions.
from development organizations. The forum, held under the ICT specialist Lina Hani highlighted that 5G’s broader economic
patronage of the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, benefits would support the growth of tech companies, startups,
aims to foster cooperation and address regional challenges in and industrial automation, fostering an inclusive economic system.
telecommunications and ICT development. It will be followed by Bayan Khaled, a computer engineer and AI developer, emphasized
a preparatory meeting for the 25th WTDC, which will take place Jordan’s progress toward a digitally connected economy, noting
in Azerbaijan later this year. These events highlight Jordan’s that the growing 5G infrastructure would also generate job
commitment to promoting regional and international collaboration opportunities in telecommunications and related sectors. While
in the communications sector. (January 29, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com the Kingdom has made significant strides, both experts agree
Jordan experienced a significant 37% increase in 5G there is still room for further development in 5G adoption.
subscriptions during the third quarter of 2024, as reported by the (January 6, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com

Kuwait

The Communications and Information Technology Regulatory of the direct extension registration service (kw.) in 2024. It also
Authority (CITRA) announced that 2024 was a year of exceptional introduced new frequencies in preparation for the launch of the
success for the organization. CITRA emphasized its commitment advanced fifth-generation technology (5GA), which represents
to continuing its role in developing digital infrastructure and the highest level in the communications networks sector. In a bid
strengthening its leadership in supporting the digital economy. The to strengthen the information technology sector, CITRA signed a
announcement was made during a press conference held by the land lease contract with Google to establish modern data centers
Acting Chairman of the CITRA Board of Directors, Eng. Abdullah Al- for cloud computing services in Kuwait. Al-Ajmi emphasized the
Ajmi, where he reviewed the authority’s achievements in 2024 and importance of this project, noting that it would enhance digital
outlined its vision for 2025. Al-Ajmi reported that CITRA achieved infrastructure and support digital transformation efforts in both
record revenues exceeding KWD 75 million (approximately USD the public and private sectors. Al-Ajmi concluded his remarks by
243.4 million) during the first half of the fiscal year (2024-2025). emphasizing the authority’s continued efforts in 2025 to contribute
This success was driven by improved operational performance to the development of the communications and information
and increased revenue collection in key areas such as landing technology sector. He stressed the importance of enhancing
station licenses, telecom companies’ number range licenses, digital transformation, supporting economic growth, and fostering
and income from leased international connection circuits. As partnerships with the private sector while adopting best global
part of CITRA’s efforts to implement cutting-edge technologies in practices. (January 29, 2025) www.arabtimesonline.com
communication networks, the authority launched the first phase

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