Page 6 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024
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SAMENA COUNCIL ADVOCACY SAMENA TRENDS
Bocar BA, CEO of SAMENA Council, acknowledging
the valuable contributions from Saudi government For Enabling Ecosystem Growth and
Sustainable Digital Development
representatives, including from the General Authority
for Competition (GAC) stated: “As a member of the 1. Regulators should proactively streamline
procedures for infrastructure development,
ITU’s Review Board for G5 Benchmark, representing reducing both delays and associated costs,
to facilitate a faster service provision.
SAMENA Council, I am of the view that your leader- 2. Provide prioritized consideration of needs
ship in the RISE Roundtable was a practical display of Telecom Operators, especially those
of how regulatory authorities should enable and lead that have made significant infrastructure
dialogue on industry matters, ranging from innova- investments and have played a visible
role in uplifting the digital economy, digital
tion & choice to business & ecosystem enablement, experience, and have shown regulatory
compliance (e.g., on cybersecurity).
in an environment of true collaborative regulation.” 3. In the interest of the market, reconsider
requirements from Telecom Operators,
such as unlimited service packages.
4. Support commercial viability of 5G
development and making use of 5G
investments by engaging cross-sector
actors.
5. Boost innovation and new
entrepreneurship, localization of services,
products, technology, knowledge, and
data.
6. Operators’ ability to invest in network
capacity and manage capital expenditure
requirements in this age is a multifarious
challenge. It requires immediate
reconsideration by the regulators, and
“In view of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, foster- government support in the form of
ing fair competition among digital platforms 7. Empower new e-commerce and digital-
investment incentives.
is essential for driving innovation, attracting economy boosting digital services and
investment, and advancing economic diversi- platforms, targeting local needs of the
market and its digital users’ preferences.
fication. Fair competition on digital platforms 8. Foster localization of technologies.
not only benefits consumers but also supports 9. Encourage investment in research
institutions, incubators, and innovation
developers of national applications aimed at hubs in Saudi Arabia, and the GCC region, to
preserving local languages and cultures.” nurture a vibrant ecosystem of technology
startups and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, ITU Director BDT 10. Integrate sustainability principles into
digital infrastructure development and
operations to minimize environmental
impact.
11. Encourage the adoption of green
technologies and practices to reduce
energy consumption and carbon
emissions associated with digital services
and infrastructure.
12. Promote ethical guidelines and standards
for the development and deployment of
digital technologies to safeguard against
potential harms such as algorithmic bias
and privacy violations.
6 JANUARY-MARCH 2024
