Page 79 - SAMENA Trends - November 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman

Minister of Transport, Communications and Information run by Shabiba FM. Al Mawali said plans for Oman to join the
Technology Said bin Hamoud Al Mawali said plans for Oman world’s spacefaring countries had begun in 2006. He also said a
to join the world’s spacefaring countries had begun in 2006. key indicator for his ministry was the Sultanate’s space program,
Oman is expected to launch the country’s first space satellite which is to be announced in 2021. We have to address the role of
in 2024, Times of Oman has reported. The country’s Minister of the private sector to this effect, and establish a company to launch
Transport, Communications and Information Technology Said bin the first satellite in 2024,” he said. “There are practical advantages
Hamoud Al Mawali announced the date while speaking ahead of here for our national space program, advanced technology, and
the country’s 50th National Day on ’50 Golden Years’ radio show artificial intelligence.” (November 17, 2020) broadcastprome.com

Pakistan

Federal Minister for IT Syed Amin Ul Haque launches Rolling discusses current utilization and future frequency spectrum
Spectrum Strategy 2020-2023 Federal Minister for IT and outlook for mobile broadband services, broadcast services, fixed
Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque launched Rolling services, aeronautical and maritime services, public safety and
Spectrum Strategy 2020-2023. A ceremony in this regard was held land communication systems, satellite services and unlicensed
at the committee room of the Ministry of IT on Monday. Federal bands for short range devices. (November 24, 2020) telecoalert.com
Secretary Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmad
Siddiqui, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has published
(PTA) Major Gen (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa and Executive Director “Rolling Spectrum Strategy 2020-2023”, observing that C-band
Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) were also present on the (3.6 – 4.2 GHz) is a core spectrum band for 5G deployment and
occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT Syed recommended for a cost-benefit analysis to assess the optimum
Amin Ul Haque said it is the major achievement of the Ministry of approach for its release for 5G. The strategy stated that many
IT and Telecommunication that it has finalized Rolling Spectrum national regulators globally have either assigned this spectrum
Strategy in consultation with all the stakeholders. Efforts of the for mobile or have started preparations to do so. PTA/FAB/
Ministry of IT, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and MoIT&T, in consultation with SUPARCO, should carry out a cost-
Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) are laudable, he added. He said benefit analysis to assess the optimum approach for the release
the present government, in line with its vision of Digital Pakistan, of C-band for 5G. The following passage highlights the PTA’s
gave highest priority to the Telecommunications Sector issues, new strategy. Since there are four mobile operators in Pakistan,
particularly Spectrum. The Federal Minister for IT said that it is recommended that the PTA/FAB consider 35 percent or 40
Rolling Spectrum Strategy will be helpful to telecom companies percent, a reference point. The PTA/FAB should in conjunction with
for formulating their business plan. Rolling Spectrum Strategy the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) ascertain if an
will be also become basis for the 5 G technology in the country, operator acquiring spectrum (whether through merger or through
he said. He said that steps are being taken for the promotion of an upcoming auction) will have unfair advantage over small
IT and telecom sector in the country. He said that transparency competitors. The evaluation will take into account the operator’s
is vital in the auction of spectrum. Syed Amin Ul Haque said share of subscriber as well as the opportunity for other operators
that provision of the broadband services in the country is to acquire spectrum through an upcoming auction. The MoIT&T/
the topmost priority of the Ministry of IT. It may be noted that PTA/FAB may take a stance that the operator with a higher than
the Rolling Spectrum Strategy provides a future roadmap for 35 percent/40 percent of all mobile spectrum to be barred from an
spectrum allocation as well as spectrum-related policy reviews impending auction. The Spectrum Master Plan provides a future
that are anticipated to take place between 2020 and 2023. The roadmap for spectrum allocation as well as spectrum-related
publication of the spectrum roadmap will help commercial policy reviews that are anticipated to take place between 2020
operators with their network planning investments. The strategy and 2023. The strategy revealed that there is a high chance that
report discusses global trends around wireless communications, devices will hit critical mass before 2020 and recommended that
the challenges faced by spectrum managers and spectrum the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication/
management needs to cope with these trends. It stresses the PTA/FAB aim to allocate the band for auction. This band is also
requirement for Spectrum Sharing and Trading and adoption crucial for Pakistan operators to extend the coverage to rural
of Spectrum Pricing – Administrative Incentive Pricing (AIP) to areas since it has better propagation characteristics. The report
promote efficient utilization of frequency spectrum. The strategy revealed that the PTA/FAB was considering implementing an AIP-

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