Page 90 - SAMENA Trends - July-September 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Capital Index. The 2024 survey emphasizes the rapid yet been halted, adding that the government had missed out on
uneven pace of digital transformation across the world, noting approximately Tk430 crore in taxes and fees. Pacific Telecom's
significant strides in digital governance fueled by investments head of regulatory and corporate affairs, Nishat Ali Khan, said the
in robust infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies. Despite matter was still under judicial consideration, and therefore, the
these advances, challenges persist globally in harnessing these BTRC could not cancel the license. Citycell was the only mobile
technologies for enhancing public services and civic engagement, operator in the country using CDMA technology. The BTRC shut
which are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. down Citycell’s frequency on June 11, 2017.
Europe currently leads in e-government development, but Asia is (September 11, 2024) www.dhakatribune.com
making rapid progress, with countries like Bangladesh and India
significantly improving their EGDI values, contributing to a notable The number of internet subscribers in Bangladesh surged by a
decrease in the global population lagging in digital government massive 2.6 million in May, one of the biggest jumps in recent
development—from 45% in 2022 to 22.4% in 2024. years, with mobile data users making up a bulk of the new
(September 19, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com customers. During this period, the total number of internet users
reached 141.28 million, of them mobile internet subscribers
Bangladesh’s first telecom operator, Citycell, has requested reached 127.84 million and broadband internet subscribers stood
the return of its cancelled license. Pacific Bangladesh Telecom at 13.44 million, according to the latest data of the Bangladesh
Ltd, Citycell’s owner, made the request in a letter sent to the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The number
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) of mobile internet subscribers jumped from 125.15 million in
on September 1, according to media reports. It asked for the April to 127.84 million in May. However, the number of broadband
return of both the operating and radio equipment licenses. In the internet users remained same during the period. After six months
letter, the company claimed that its frequency had been initially of continuous decline, the number of mobile internet subscribers
suspended due to political vendetta, blaming former state minister in the country increased by 1.17 million at the end of February.
for telecommunications Tarana Halim for this. Subsequently, the On the other hand, the number of broadband internet subscribers
license was cancelled while the matter was still under judicial increased from 12.88 million in February to 13.44 million in
consideration, according to the company. At the time, the BTRC March. During this period, mobile phone operators in the country
had said Citycell's license had been revoked due to unpaid added 1.36 million new subscribers, bringing the total number of
dues amounting to Tk218 crore. Pacific Telecom mentioned subscribers to 195.09 million in March. The number of subscribers
that shutting down Ciycell’s frequency had resulted in losses for each mobile operator--Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink
amounting to around Tk4,000 crore over the past eight years, Digital Communications, and Teletalk Bangladesh stood at 84.91
including bank loans, unpaid employee wages and infrastructure million, 58.88 million, 44.73 million, and 6.57 million respectively,
damage. It said the telecom operator could have generated at the end of May, according to the data.
approximately Tk2,000 crore in revenue had its operations not (July 4, 2024) www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Egypt

Egypt’s mobile phone market saw a strong recovery in June 2024 According to the global broadband pricing league by Cable, Egypt
after a temporary dip in May, caused by delays in implementing a is ranked fifth worldwide for its low average monthly internet cost
new numbering plan. Official data released on Thursday revealed of $8.31. This places Egypt ahead in affordability compared to
that mobile subscriptions in the country increased by 581,000, many other countries, with Sudan leading in Africa and ranking
bringing the total to 58.834 million subscribers by the end of first globally with a cost of $2.40 per month. Zimbabwe also
June. This marks a notable comeback for the sector following the stands out in Africa, ranking third, but globally it is 11th with a
challenges associated with the new numbering system. The latest cost of $9.64 per month. Africa’s youthful population, with many
data underscores a steady upward trend in mobile adoption across countries having over 50% of their population under 25, is poised
Egypt, showcasing the country’s rapid digital transformation. to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and social change, bolstered
Compared to the same period last year, Egypt’s top three mobile by the accessibility of affordable broadband. This connectivity is
operators collectively had 43.5 million subscribers, highlighting essential for the rapid adoption of technology across the continent.
significant year-on-year growth in mobile usage. This surge Further data from Egypt indicates significant advancements in
in subscriptions not only emphasizes the growing reliance on internet accessibility and usage. The Speed Test Global Index
mobile services but also indicates a positive outlook for further from November 2023 places Egypt 77th globally with an average
technological integration into the Egyptian economy. As mobile fixed broadband speed of 94.53 Mbps. Additionally, the Egyptian
connectivity continues to expand, it is expected to play a vital role Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s March
in advancing the nation’s broader digital strategy. 2023 quarterly report highlights a rise in mobile subscriptions by
(September 4, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com 6.1 million from the previous year, reaching 106.2 million.
(August 20, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com

90 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2024