Page 111 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Alseghayer, Acting Digital Sustainability Director at STC indicated
held a panel discussion on digital innovations for sustainable that leading a sustainable future requires pioneering and innovative
development, in conjunction with the World Telecommunication solutions that elevate the ICT sector and harness it services.
and Information Society Day (WTISD) which celebrates “Digital While Mr. Abdulrahman Alzamil, GM of Sustainability Enablement
Innovation for Sustainable Development, with the participation at Ministry of Economy and Planning discussed technology’s
of an elite group of sustainability experts across the Kingdom’s importance in developing innovative solutions to address complex
sectors. The session was moderated by Mr. Naif Sheshah, the sustainability issues more efficiently, and Dr. Abdulaziz Alhomod,
Deputy Governor for Strategy and Digital, as it showcased digital Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Clinical Informatics CEO
innovations and their impact on achieving sustainable development Advisor at the Ministry of Health highlighted the technology role in
goals (SDGs) and reviewed experiences and lessons learned from transforming the world, leading us toward a future where smarter,
using technologies, as well as collaboration in the field digital faster, and more effective healthcare is a reality for everyone. CST
sustainability. Dr. Ahmed Alsohaily, Group Head of Technology is keeping up with the WTISD through its strategic partnership with
at the Red Sea Global emphasized that sustainability is the heart ITU, to achieve joint goals and raise awareness of the potential and
of all the company’s projects, and a mean for our destinations’ success stories that promote digital innovation and achieve SDGs.
excellence that attract visitors from around the world, and Dr. Rakan (May 21, 2024) www.cst.gov.sa

Sri Lanka

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka The amendment also includes the regulation of subsea cable
(TRCSL) has granted preliminary approval for Starlink to offer networks. “Right now what we do is the telco companies are the
satellite-based internet services in the country, according to ones who develop them. The TRC allocates 50 percent of it and
Technology State Minister Kanaka Herath. This approval is telco companies build it. After this amendment of the TRC Act,
contingent upon a formal public consultation process. The we will be able to open it for independent companies. So that they
President’s Media Division (PMD) announced that details of the will be able to develop the towers and hand it over to any telco
public consultation will be published later. company," he added. It's hoped that the move to allow third-party
(June 7, 2024) www.meatechwatch.com firms to develop and operate telecom towers will speed up the
pace at which the towers are put up. Herath said the government
Sri Lanka's government has proposed plans that will allow third- is aiming to build 276 towers to improve connectivity across the
party companies to build telecom towers. country and support the government's target to grow the digital
Such changes could come into play, as the country looks to make economy to $15 billion in 2030 from last year’s $2.3 billion.
adjustments to its Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Financial constraints and a tough economic landscape in Sri
Act (TRCSL) for the first time in 28 years. The TRCSL was set up in Lanka have meant that telcos in the country have had to cut their
1996 to promote sustained development in the telecommunication budgets for towers. Right now when we build towers, we share it.
industry. State technology minister Kanaka Herath told reporters Say if Dialog builds a tower, they share it with (Sri Lanka) Telecom
in Colombia, Sri Lanka, last week that the government will table and with other telco companies,” Herath said. “Similarly, we are
the amendment, as reported by Economy Next. "We expect to trying to give it to the third party so that it will develop faster than
have the parliament debate within two months,” Herath said. we have right now.” (May 15, 2024) www.datacenterdynamics.com

Tunisia

Tunisian Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani has approved the process will see the creation of a new commission in charge of
roadmap that will lead to the introduction of 5G commercial preparations to grant the 5G licenses.
services in the country at the start of 2025, reports Kapitalis. This (June 19, 2024) www.telecompaper.com

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