Page 108 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Iran

Iran is close to awarding 5G-suitable spectrum in the 3.7GHz- In a separate article by the news agency quotes Amir Lajevardi,
3.8GHz band, Eisa Zarepour, the Minister of Communication and the head of the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) as
Information Technology has revealed. The plan was communicated saying that the total number of 5G base stations should rise from
to the Iranian Student News Agency at a national 5G conference a current figure of 800 to 1,200 by 19 March 2024 (i.e., the end
in Tehran this week. 3G and 4G coverage is available to 93% of the of the current Iranian calendar year), and 4,000 by March 2025.
population, the minister noted, while 5G should be available to 10% The rollout targets were disclosed at the same 5G event in Tehran.
of the population by 2025. (November 3, 2023) The Islamic Republic News Agency

Iraq

Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has ordered granted a license to manage the country’s planned 5G network.
the country’s mobile operators to suspend interconnection with Zawya reported that local funds, including the public servants’
Korek Telecom over the latter’s unpaid taxes and license fees. pension fund and the social security fund, will be allowed to take
The decision was made on 1 November, with Korek seemingly stakes in the new company, with Iraqi citizens allowed to buy a
choosing not to heed the ten-day warning that the CMC issued it further 10% of the entity’s shareholding.
on 22 October. CMC boss Ali Al Moayed has indicated that Korek (November 7, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
owes fees totaling USD800 million. In other news, the CMC’s
board of commissioners convened on 31 October to discuss the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) has announced its partnership with
issuance of a planned fourth mobile license, which will permit 5G Iraq IXP, extending low-latency services from the Gulf to Iraq. The
technology. The watchdog’s press release noted: ‘At the meeting, partnership gives Iraq IXP direct connections with GCC nations
the council members stressed the importance of accelerating the and access to GBI’s relationships with major service providers,
implementation of the Council of Ministers decision to grant the with average latency reductions of 40ms.
fourth mobile phone license. Late last month it was reported that (October 6, 2023) www.commsupdate.com
state-owned Al-Salam Telecommunications Company would be

Kuwait

According to sources at Kuwait’s Ministry of Communications access (terminal) equipment replacement had been carried out in
(MoC), 72% of a first-phase copper-to-fiber network replacement 6,060 locations, with 4,000 planned locations remaining. In related
project was completed by September 2023. The MoC’s initial-phase work, the MoC is simultaneously developing the ‘third phase’ of its
copper-to-fiber program covers seven areas – ‘Bidaa, Rumaithiya, national fiber-optic network rollout in the current fiscal year, and
Salwa, Fintas Agricultural, Salmiya, Ras Salmiya, and the Capital’ has reached ‘85%’ completion of the ‘design, planning, and study’
– and the report added that in one aspect of the project, local stage for this project, the report stated. (October 26, 2023) Arab Times

Nepal

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has made a new made this provision which was decided a couple of weeks ago.
regulation that paves way for it to take back unused frequency This policy will prevent telcos from hoarding the airwaves and
spectrum from telecom companies. The newly passed instead encourage them to use the resources. Or else, NTA will
Telecommunication Service Based Radio Frequency Policy has bring it back which will free up the spectrum for others to use. The

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