Page 71 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

CST Announces the Qualified

Applicants for the Specialized Radio
Network License to Serve the Industrial

and Business Sectors

The Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST)
announces the qualification of Saudi Telecommunications
Company (STC), and Global Digital Integrated Solutions Company
(Aramco Digital) to compete for the specialized radio network
license. These applicants will undergo the evaluation phase as per
the published Information Memorandum document. CST clarifies
that the Specialized Radio Network represents a national objective
to serve the industrial and business sectors through a dedicated
network, operating on the latest global wireless technologies.
This network will aim to cater to the specialized needs of various
sectors and aims to achieve the Kingdom's leadership in providing
specialized broadband communications services. The provision
of such a license would contribute to the digital transformation
in several sectors such as industry, energy, transport, health
and more. It would also enable the 4th industrial revolution and
industrial (IoT) applications, CST indicated that it will announce the
winner of the competition for the specialized radio network license
after completing the technical assessment stage of the qualified
applications.

Algeria Makes Strides in Digital Transformation

Algeria has made significant strides in digital transformation, as have successfully implemented the national digitization strategy
highlighted by researchers and specialists in Information and to streamline operations. For instance, Grar mentioned the Ministry
Communication Technologies (ICT) during a meeting organized by of Higher Education and Scientific Research, where academics
the National Institute of Global Strategy Studies (INESG) on digital can now perform tasks like registration and fee payments online,
development in Algeria. Younes Grar, a digitization specialist contributing to a “paperless” system. Yazid Aguedal, an ICT expert,
and consultant, noted Algeria’s progress in deploying high-speed discussed the transition from traditional paper-based processes
internet in 2023, citing the increasing number of subscribers to the to digital ones, highlighting the recent agreement between the
fiber optic network as evidence. He emphasized that various sectors High Commission for Digitization and Huawei, a Chinese company,
to establish the Algerian National Center for Digital Services. He
emphasized this center’s significance in project management
and goal setting in the digital sphere. Mounir Moncef, Director
of Coordination and Monitoring of Modernization Projects at
the Ministry of Finance, stressed the importance of cooperation,
partnership, coordination, communication, and knowledge
to achieve digitization objectives and overcome obstacles.
During the event, INESG honored Prof. Youcef Mentalecheta for
his contributions to the ICT sector in Algeria. INESG Director-
General Abdelaziz Medjahed encouraged students to follow
Mentalecheta’s example, highlighting his role as a mujahid and
researcher in advancing the country’s telecommunications system.
Mentalecheta advised younger generations to equip themselves
with knowledge and religion, which he described as “keys to
success,” and emphasized the importance of involving Algerian
talents abroad in the nation’s building and development efforts.

71 MAY-JUNE 2024