Page 99 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY NEWS

TRA Launches Project to Measure and Ensure Quality of Fixed Broadband

Services in Oman

The Telecommunications Regulatory
Authority (TRA) has launched an initiative
to measure and ensure the quality of fixed
broadband services (home Internet) for
subscribers in Oman. This comprehensive
system will evaluate fixed broadband
services by measuring various indicators
and comparing them with the packages
advertised by service providers. A
specialized device will be provided to
subscribers for free, enabling them to
assess different packages. The device,
connected to the user’s home network,
will accurately verify the service level
provided by companies over a specific
period. It will measure indicators such as
download and upload speeds, network protect user interests, ensure transparency Subscribers can request the device through
response time, network outages, and other and consumer satisfaction, and enhance TRA’s website, email, call centre, and
relevant metrics. The initiative aims to competition based on service quality. WhatsApp service.

EU Passes Gigabit Infrastructure Act

The act replaces the broadband cost- legislation aimed at reducing the costs of covered by 5G networks. It is hoped
reducing directive passed in 2014. The deploying gigabit-capable networks and that by unifying the network deployment
European Council has passed the Gigabit simplifying the rollout process. It is part regulations across EU member states, the
Infrastructure Act (GIA), which aims to of the EU’s wider goal of deploying gigabit- GIA will promote economies of scale for
simplify and accelerate the roll out of high capable infrastructure across the EU by both operators and businesses. But while
speed networks like fiber and 5G to meet 2030, in line with the EU’s Digital Decade the GIA should allow for faster network
Europe’s connectivity objectives. The program. By this date, the EU wants all rollouts (at least, once fully enforced
GIA was first proposed by the European European households to be covered by a by member states in 18 months’ time),
Commission in February 2023, with the gigabit network, and all populated areas the decision is not without controversy.
In February this year, industry groups
representing European operators (ETNO,
ECTA, the GSMA, and GigaEurope) released
a joint statement warning that the act
would damage both the companies and
the wider sector due to greater regulatory
pressures. The statement read that
the act is a “a measure that penalizes
telecoms operators, without producing
any real benefit in terms of administrative
simplification.” The new regulation will
be published in the EU’s Official Journal
in the next few days, and will enter into
force three days after that. The law will be
implemented in around 18 months.

99 MAY-JUNE 2024