Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

expressed by different forums. A questionnaire seeking input from Committee encourages and solicits feedback from all stake-
all stakeholders will be posted on Pakistan Telecommunication holders including general public during the consultation process.
Authority (PTA) website. A tentative schedule for consultation (March 3, 2020) pta.gov.pk
process will also be posted on PTA website, accordingly. The

Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Governor of Saudi Arabia's The Communications and Information Technology Commission
Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) (CITC) announced the extension of the competition to license
handed over the license for Internet of Things Virtual Network new mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to provide
Operator (IoT-VNO) to Dawiyat Integrated Telecommunications services in Saudi Arabia. The competition was initially launched
& Information Technology Co. and MachinesTalk Co., on the in January 14, 2020 with a deadline in May, which has now been
sidelines of the 3rd Saudi International Exhibition & Conference extended to August 10, 2020. According to CITC, the licensing of
for Internet of Things in Riyadh on March 8-10, 2020. The license new MVNOs aims to further enhance the business environment,
allows leasing or acquiring the data bandwidth from the mobile promote competition in the market, and foster the adoption of
telecom operator on a whole sale basis from the infrastructure international best practices across the industry. “The licensing
service provider, with no need for frequency spectrum or wireless of new MVNOs will enhance innovation in the services provision
networks, according to a CITC statement. The statement added and make more options available to telecommunications and
that the license will enable companies to offer IoT services, as information technology end users in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the
well other services including smart meters services within the licenses are expected to generate new jobs in this vital sector of
power grid, and IoT solutions in transport, logistics services, and the Kingdom’s economy,” CITC said in a statement. CITC further
smart cities. It also noted that it will help service providers adopt emphasized that the competition follows the findings of a public
top-notch global technologies, upgrade the telecommunications consultation released earlier this year, as well as market studies.
market and lure investments. In 2018, the Saudi telecom regulator (March 21, 2020) developingtelecoms.com
offered licenses for IoT-VNO services for public and private
service providers, Argaam reported. (March 9, 2020) argaam.com

Turkey

BTK delegation participated under the chairmanship of its during the discussions on the “Digital Future of Europe”, which
Chairman Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu in the BEREC first meeting was announced by the Commission on February 19, 2020, and
of 2020, where Turkey has the observer status. Speaking at revealed the European approach and strategies regarding
the Independent Regulator Group (IRG) General Assembly BTK digital sectors and services, in order to make the most of the
Chairman shared his opinions and evaluations regarding the opportunities offered by the digital economy, He stated that digital
financial situation of IRG and its financial plans for 2021-2025 markets should be subject to appropriate competition rules and
and the activities to be carried out in 2020. In the BEREC General effective control. BTK President noted that if the competition is not
Assembly, where the agenda of Europe in this field is discussed in established, some major platforms can reach a dominant market
the light of the EU's electronic communications sector regulations position, and this will be an obstacle to both the well-being of
and perspective, BEREC expert working groups interconnection, consumers and the entry of new players, and it is critical to make
5G, end user, roaming, communication services within the preliminary arrangements for ensuring market justice in this
EU, geographical surveys and network setup, open internet framework. On the second day of the meeting, within the scope of
Guidelines (BEREC Guidelines), which are prepared by discussing the agenda item on the sharing of experience on topics of strategic
reports on issues such as the management of number resources importance of the BEREC General Assembly, the RTR President
and “Very High Capacity Networks-VHCNs”, were introduced. In of the Austrian Administration made a presentation about the
the meeting, evaluations were also made about BEREC's 2021 5G tender that will be held in the country at 700/1500/2100 MHz
business plan and strategy. The meeting also discussed on the bands, and the experiences were shared with the participants.
contributions and duties of BEREC and regulatory authorities During the meetings, contacts with the European counterparts
under the Digital Services Act (DSA), whose work is being carried were made by BTK President and evaluations were made on the
out by the Commission. BTK President shared his evaluations agenda. (March 6, 2020) btk.gov.tr

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