Page 89 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

continued commitment to digital leadership. “Bahrain is honored from 2,152,591 in Q1 2023 to 2,449,728 in Q1 2024, reflecting a
to lead in this global initiative. The insights and collaborations 13.8% growth. This surge also drove mobile penetration up from
fostered during this forum will undoubtedly boost efforts to bridge 136% to 155%, indicating deeper market reach. A closer look at
the global digital skills gap,” said Marnick. “As the ITU Digital mobile subscriptions reveals growth in both prepaid and postpaid
Skills Forum concludes, Bahrain stands tall as a digital skills segments. Prepaid subscriptions rose by 7.8% to 1,559,011,
leader, solidifying its position as a highly advanced digital nation while postpaid subscriptions saw a significant 26.3% increase,
in the region. Through such forums, Bahrain reinforces its role in reaching 890,717 by the end of Q1 2024, up from 705,172 in Q1
shaping the digital future, dedicated to including everyone in the 2023. The broadband sector also experienced notable progress.
digital age.” (September 21, 2024) www.tra.org.bh Mobile broadband subscriptions increased from 2,304,132 in
Q1 2023 to 2,375,854 in Q1 2024, marking a 3.1% growth, while
Bahrain has been recognized as a global leader in cybersecurity, mobile broadband penetration rose from 146.1% to 151%. Fiber
securing a Tier 1 ranking in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index broadband subscriptions, essential for high-speed internet,
(GCI) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Among grew from 167,434 in Q1 2023 to 169,709 in Q1 2024, supporting
194 countries, Bahrain’s commitment to robust digital security the growing demand for data-intensive services. Total data
has distinguished it on the international stage. His Excellency consumption surged by 10.2%, from 431 Petabytes in Q1 2023
Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, CEO of the National to 475 Petabytes in Q1 2024, highlighting the increasing reliance
Cyber Security Centre, credits this success to the comprehensive on data services. Despite the growth in mobile and broadband
support from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the sectors, the traditional fixed telephony market saw a slight
proactive initiatives by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin decline, with subscriptions dropping from 216,678 in Q1 2023 to
Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Additionally, 209,628 in Q1 2024, indicating a shift towards mobile and wireless
Shaikh Salman highlighted the efforts of His Highness Major communication. An expert noted that the rising demand for data
General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security and the steady improvement in fiber broadband infrastructure
Advisor and Commander of the Royal Guard, in enhancing signal a promising future for Bahrain’s telecommunications
Bahrain’s digital infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities. sector. (August 8, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com
This high ranking reflects Bahrain’s commitment to strong data
protection practices, network security, and advanced technological The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced
infrastructure. Aligned with the National Cybersecurity Strategy, the publication of an updated Technical Specifications document
Bahrain aims to ensure a secure and resilient cyber environment, for various wireless applications. The document aims to bolster
fostering innovation and developing national expertise in line the Kingdom's infrastructure capabilities in embracing the latest
with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. The GCI evaluates nations advancements and trends in the field of communications. It
based on legal, technical, regulatory, capacity development, includes the authorized specifications for the use of Next-Gen
and cooperation criteria, where Bahrain achieved nearly perfect Wi-Fi 7. The TRA remains committed to fostering a dynamic
scores, excelling in four of the five categories. and innovative telecoms sector in Bahrain, while maintaining
(September 16, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com its position as a leading regional hub for Information and
Communication Technology (ICT). The Authority actively seeks
Bahrain’s telecommunications sector continued its strong to establish and maintain open communication channels with
performance in the first quarter of 2024, with key indicators industry leaders to ensure that regulations and infrastructure
showing significant growth compared to the same period in are aligned with the latest technologies, thereby benefiting the
2023, according to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority community.
(TRA). The mobile subscriber base expanded notably, increasing (July 26, 2024) www.tra.org.bh

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has ascended 11 spots to become the top- online services and telecommunications infrastructure over the
ranked least developed country in the 2024 United Nations past two years. Among the least developed nations, Bangladesh
E-Government Development Index (EGDI), now holding the leads, followed by countries like Bhutan, Rwanda, and Nepal. In
100th position globally among 193 countries. This marks a the South Asian region, while the Maldives holds the top spot
significant rise from its 111th rank in 2022. The improvement with a global ranking of 94th and a score of 0.6745, Bangladesh
is highlighted in the “E-Government Survey 2024: Accelerating is fourth, ahead of Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development,” released by Globally, Denmark, Estonia, and Singapore lead the rankings,
the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs on September showcasing excellence in online services, telecommunications,
18th. The country achieved an EGDI score of 0.6570, surpassing and human capacity. The EGDI, a composite index, evaluates
both the South Asian average of 0.5855 and the global average nations based on three key metrics: the Online Services Index,
of 0.6382. This progress is largely attributed to advancements in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, and the Human

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