Samena Trends Exclusively for Samena Telecommunications Council's Members Building Digital Economies

Volume 05 _ Issue 12 _ December 2014 SAMENA TRENDS EXCLUSIVELY FOR SAMENA TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL'S MEMBERS BUILDING DIGITAL ECONOMIES

A SAMENA Telecommunications Council Newsletter

Houlin Zhao Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré Secretary-General Former Secretary-General ITU ITU

Building awareness of future trends and developments in the ICT sector

www.samenacouncil.org SAMENA CONTENTS VOLUME _ 05 _ISSUE _ 12_DEC_2014 TRENDS

The SAMENA TRENDS newsletter is REGIONAL & MEMBERS wholly owned and operated by The UPDATES SAMENA Telecommunications Council 13. Regional & Members News FZ, LLC (SAMENA). Information in the newsletter is not intended as professional 18. A journey of innovation at the heart services advice, and SAMENA Council disclaims any liability for use of specific of technology information or results thereof. Articles and information contained in this REGULATORY & POLICY publication are the copyright of SAMENA UPDATES Telecommunications Council, (unless 25. Beyond Internet Access otherwise noted, described or stated) and cannot be reproduced, copied or printed in any form without the express 27. Regulatory News written permission of the publisher. 33. A Snapshot of Regulatory Activities The SAMENA Council does not necessar- in SAMENA Region ily endorse, support, sanction, encour- age, verify or agree with the content, comments, opinions or statements made WHOLESALE UPDATES in The SAMENA TRENDS by any entity 53. Wholesale News or entities. Information, products and services offered, sold or placed in the TECHNOLOGY UPDATES newsletter by other than The SAMENA 58. Unscrambling Big Data Council belong to the respective entity EDITORIAL or entities and are not representative of The SAMENA Council. The SAMENA 03. 59. Technology News Council hereby expressly disclaims any and all warranties, expressed and im- 62. Next Generation Leaders plied, including but not limited to any warranties of accuracy, reliability, mer- 65. Capex-saving opportunities for chantability or fitness for a particular REGIONAL emerging market operators purpose by any entity or entities offer- ing information, products and services in 68. IPX Critical to Next Phase of LTE this newsletter. The user agrees that The PERFORMANCE SAMENA Council is not responsible, and Growth in MENA shall have no liability to such user, with Mobile Broadband Subscriptions respect to any information, product or SATELLITE UPDATES (Per 100 Population) service offered by any entity or entities 70. Satellite News in this newsletter. The SAMENA Coun- 11. cil’s only liability in the event of errors shall be the correction or removal of the erroneous information after verification.

Editor-in-Chief Bocar A. BA

Contributing Editors Zakir Syed Awais Amjad Javaid Akhtar Malik

Contributing Member Analysys Mason CTPartners Technology ictQATAR Strategy& 04 74. Syniverse

Publisher SAMENA Telecommunications Council EXCLUSIVE SAMENA Subscriptions [email protected] INTERVIEW ACTIVITY Advertising [email protected] 04. Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré ITU Telecom World 2014 Former Secretary-General Legal Issues or Concerns ITU [email protected] 08. Houlin Zhao Deputy SAMENA TRENDS Secretary-General #304, Alfa Building, Knowledge Village ITU PO Box: 502544, Dubai, United Arab Emirates © 2014 - All rights reserved. SAMENA TRENDS is a trademark of SAMENA Telecommunications Council. Tel: +971.4.364.2700 EDITORIAL

SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014

Building awareness of future trends and developments in the ICT sector

In our rapidly developing global From the outlook of Mobile-ICT, all information society, technology has had the evolving information technology a great influence on every facet of society developments seem quite natural. The and people’s lives. Essentially two discrete reputation and acceptance of smart technologies: information technology (IT) terminals and mobile broadband networks and communications technology (CT) have have had a great impact on people’s steadily become incorporated to form daily lives; including daily routines a – ICT (information & communications from driving, dinning, shopping, sports, technology). Together with the massive healthcare, and entertainment, as well success and admiration of the Internet, as enterprise operations and advanced society has unarguably moved in the era business management styles signified of ICT. by the mobile office. Indeed, the mobile services that we have the liberty to Looking back at the growth and appreciate today have been offered on expansion of ICT one of the most fixed terminals for a long time, when they notable accomplishments indeed are were observed as technological progress, the developments and adoption of iOS rather than explosion. In the mobile era and Android smart mobile terminals, though, those services have enhanced and the surge in the significance of the our lives and our business routines in mobile Internet which has been advanced entirely different ways. Service ubiquity by the acceptance of mobile terminals. has become a reality and has transformed This has not only facilitated to sustain the way we live and do business. Service and cultivate data traffic over operator’s ubiquity and customer experience will be 3G/4G networks, it has also generated significant indicators in the Mobile-ICT new prospects and challenges to the ICT era. However, the traditional ICT industry industry and profoundly impacted its will continue to grow with fast pace, future strategy. leading to a new round of advancements in finance, transportation, energy, Observation of latest developments in the education, healthcare and other industries. ICT industry indicates that smart mobile With these thoughts, that in the year 2015 terminals have increased the public we are going to observe a rapid drift admiration to such magnitude that we can in the ICT industry, I wish you all a very label contemporary society with an “M” prosperous and a productive new year! (Mobile) tag. The ICT sector has moved in the mobile era and the term ICT should be reviewed to embrace ‘mobile’. The notion of Mobile-ICT (M-ICT) offers us with a broader perspective and thoughtfulness of where we are standing, and where we are going to be in the next decade.

Yours truly,

Bocar A. BA Chief Executive Officer SAMENA Telecommunications Council

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Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré, Former Q. Having spent Secretary-General of the International 16 years at ITU, a UN Telecommunication Union (ITU) since January 2007, was re-elected for a second agency facilitating ICT Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré four-year term in October 2010. development around the Former Secretary-General world, in what direction As Secretary-General, Dr. Touré is ITU committed to ITU’s mission of connecting are the world and the world, and to helping achieve humanity headed? the Millennium Development Goals A. I took office as Secretary- through harnessing the unique potential General of ITU in January 2007 of Information and Communication and before that, for eight years I Technologies (ICTs). was the elected Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development A long-standing champion of ICTs Bureau (BDT). In my two terms at as a driver of social and economic BDT, I built on ITU’s commitment development, Dr Touré previously served to connect the world and laid as Director of ITU’s Telecommunication the framework to bridge the Development Bureau (BDT) from 1998- digital divide in a people-centred, 2006. In this role he placed considerable inclusive and development- emphasis on implementing the outcomes oriented information society. This of the World Summit on the Information focus came to the global stage Society (WSIS), launching projects based during the World Summit on on partnerships with international the Information Society (WSIS) organizations, governments, the private which brought together Heads sector and civil society. of State and Government along with industry leaders, academia, civil society and international organizations to exercise their collective will to harness the power of information and communication technologies (ICT)

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 for the benefit of humanity. World Q. What transforma- non-optional utilities (or “rights”) leaders upheld the principles of the tional phases in the way we whose availability and performance Charter of the United Nations and impact every aspect of the economy the Universal Declaration of Human communicate have been and societal development. Rights “so that people everywhere directly influenced by ITU can create, access, utilize and and your spearheading of The emergence of the Internet share information and knowledge has radically changed technology to achieve their full potential and the mission of the Union? approaches, market philosophies attain the internationally agreed A. Digital communications and regulatory paradigms of the development goals and objectives. have redefined the way we conduct telecommunication industry. New The digital revolution in ICT has our everyday lives – and this means of delivering content are made a profound impact on how revolution is ongoing at a dynamic being used as new business models the world functions, interacts and pace. The Broadband Commission emerge, with online advertising now communicates. These technologies for Digital Development, which I rising as a key source of revenue. are powerful instruments for established with UNESCO, calls upon This consolidation across the value increasing productivity and governments and industry to pull chain is underlined by just how much generating economic growth, and together in a global effort to roll has changed in the last few years in have created new opportunities for out broadband networks. Today, terms of cross-ownership and the higher levels of development and the revolutionary growth of the battle between telecommunication quality of life for all. Internet and mobile phones, of big operators and over-the-top players. data and new ways of conducting The huge growth in data being ICTs are drivers of social and business bears testimony to these carried over telecommunication economic development, providing achievements. networks is quickly becoming the enhanced opportunities to generate next frontier, and the increased income and combat poverty, We have strived to ensure that that all importance of managing traffic hunger, ill health and illiteracy. ICTs sections of society, especially remote flows, means that net neutrality is and related e-applications are key and vulnerable communities, receive likely to remain an important issue instruments in improving governance the benefits of being connected in on regulators’ radars. and rural services, such as providing an affordable and secure manner. At community health care, safe drinking the same time, we have addressed Exploring digital transactions and water and sanitation, education, the global challenges of our times, the mobile payments market, rapid food and shelter; improving using ICTs to help combat climate growth has been seen, with the total maternal health and reducing child change, and bringing solutions value of transactions nearly doubling mortality; empowering women and to help achieve the Millennium every year from 2009 through the more vulnerable members of Development Goals (MDGs). We 2012. Market commentators and society; and ensuring environmental have strengthened cybersecurity forecasters expect this growth to sustainability. ITU is committed and we continue to work within continue apace for the foreseeable to connecting the world and to the intergovernmental framework future. Seen broadly, this has been, ensuring that the benefits of ICTs to ensure cyber peace. We are now and will be, a global phenomenon. reach the remotest corners of the actively taking part of the debates The incredible potential of the world. over the Post 2015 Sustainable Internet as a unique economic Development Goals (SDGs). enabler, generating an estimated Today, the global community is value exceeding USD 14.4 trillion better connected than ever. Mobile While mobile phones have brought in the next ten years, is seen as a penetration has spread rapidly about a revolution in overall major driver of the global economic with nearly 7 billion subscriptions. connectivity, with nearly 7 billion engine. The thrust now is to drive content subscriptions, smart devices have through enhanced broadband transformed the way people interact I am proud to say that during my access aimed at establishing the and conduct their business. tenure as Secretary-General of ITU, information and communication the world of ICT has seen many highways — networks that will feed Access to online services today is transformational changes and ITU has both rural communities and urban vital in order to find a job, receive been instrumental in spearheading centres with the means to meet their a salary, pay bills and taxes, vote, this as the intergovernmental body development goals and aspirations. learn and conduct business. developing worldwide interoperable My sincere hope is that as people Governments throughout the standards for ICTs and managing the around the world have better world are striving to bring ICTs to spectrum and orbital resources that access to communication, leading everyone. As the intergovernmental make this possible. As most recent to better understanding between body coordinating the development examples, I can cite G.fast, the new communities in our global village, of ICTs worldwide, ITU remains more ITU broadband standard designed we can all enjoy a more productive, relevant than ever serving its 193 to deliver access speeds of up to peaceful and — in every way — a Member States and over 700 private 1Gbit/s over existing telephone better life. sector entities. wires, and IMT-Advanced and IMT Beyond 2020 which represent next Broadband networks and Internet steps in mobile technologies. services are increasingly viewed as

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other stakeholders. The technology, and that it has far- continuing mission is to reaching “technological and societal achieve the best practical implications”. solutions for integrating new telecommunication Alain Louchez, who is leading a and information global initiative at the Georgia technologies as they Tech Research Institute in Atlanta develop, and to spread and who is an expert at ITU, says their benefits to all. “Machines, everyday objects and virtual elements (such as digital The tenure of Secretary- pictures) now have the possibility General of ITU is limited to be identified in the same way as to a maximum of two individuals on the Internet of people. four-year terms, a period As a result, things can be integrated sufficient for anyone to into a vast web of interrelations contribute significantly, where they can communicate with which I did. This autumn each other or with people. Essentially, at the Plenipotentiary in the world of the Internet of Things, Conference in Busan, things are now on a par with people.” Republic of Korea, ITU Machine-to Machine (M2M), Membership elected probably the earliest manifestation of Mr Houlin Zhao as my the Internet of Things, is considered successor and I am a key enabler of applications and delighted to leave the services across a wide range of reins of office in his very vertical markets such as healthcare, able hands. logistics, transport and utilities. A common M2M service layer, agreed Q. What new internationally by a diverse set of stakeholders, will provide a cost- roles do you efficient platform upon which to foresee ITU build differentiated services across a exercising in the variety of industry sectors. age of Internet of In the recent history of the ICT Q. What would you Things and smart industry, the Internet, mobile do differently if you were cities? communications and broadband have transformed the world, elected as the Secretary- A. ITU has been working bringing a high level of convergence General for another 4 on standards for the Internet of accessible on one’s fingertips on years? Things (IoT) for many years. ‘Smart one device, which is accessible technologies’ under the banner of anytime and anywhere. The next A. I took a glance at the IoT will impact all industry sectors, steps will be further evolution campaign brochure I made in 2006 increasing efficiency while reducing with far greater efficiencies and for my first election as Secretary- human intervention. ITU has affordability allowing more people General. I am pleased to say that I developed standards as technical to access the benefits of ICTs. At have successfully completed all the underpinnings of IoT applications, ITU, we are already developing new things I had promised to do. which can be viewed as the ability generation standards. Big Data will for things and people to remotely demand considerable attention, While I have had the privilege to lead interact through the Internet both from the users and from service the Union for the past eight years, anywhere and at anytime, thanks providers, and that also means ITU has continuously reaffirmed to the timely convergence of many creating greater efficiencies in its reputation worldwide as one technologies. spectrum management that will be of the most resilient and relevant considered at the forthcoming World organizations and continues its work ITU defines the Internet of Radiocommunication Conference in as the specialized agency of the Things as a ”global infrastructure 2015. United Nations dealing with ICTs. For for the information society, a century and a half since 1865, ITU enabling advanced services by The explosive growth of short range has been at the centre of advances in interconnecting (physical and radio devices (SRD) and Ultra Wide communications – from telegraphy virtual) things, based on existing and Band (UWB) technologies has an through to the modern world of evolving interoperable information enormous potential to affect our satellites, Radio, Television, mobile and communication technologies.” daily lives. Medical health systems, phones and the Internet. This definition offers useful machine-to-machine solutions, insights and a sound springboard transport and telematics systems, The story of ITU is one of for further analysis and research the aviation industry and wireless international cooperation, among into the Internet of Things, which power transmission can all benefit as governments, private companies and essentially is a “vision”, not a single these technologies evolve.

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ITU is also actively promoting the it is due to the larger goals and in the year 2000 when the MDGs development of ‘Smart Sustainable objectives of the Union. were conceived. But now, as we Cities’ that integrate ‘smart’ are conceiving the sustainable technologies in city infrastructure Today, digital communications have development goals (SDGs) in the and operations to increase redefined the way we conduct our post-2015 era, it is essential that environmental efficiency and socio- everyday lives – and this revolution our Members take ICT in a dual role economic wellbeing. The ITU-T Focus is ongoing at a dynamic pace. The – as a goal and as tool to achieve Group on Smart Sustainable Cities revolutionary growth of the Internet the other development goals. It is a is looking at global interoperability and mobile phones, of big data and well-accepted fact that ICTs create testing along with next-generation new ways of conducting business jobs and wealth, help save lives and networks (NGN), ubiquitous sensor bears testimony to ITU’s leading enhance our way of life. networks (USN) and emerging role in coordinating issues related to technologies such as the Internet of ICTs at the global intergovernmental ICT has also been part of the Things, distributed service network level. solutions to all the major challenges (DSN), and home networking. of our modern life. Climate change I established the Broadband and environmental sustainability are ICTs are crucial to sustainable Commission for Digital Development the latest global challenges where development, expected to enable along with UNESCO, our partner ICTs have played a key role and will efficiency gains in areas such as UN agency, and with outstanding continue to do so. I was privileged energy distribution and consumption, support from H.E. Mr Paul Kagame, to have ITU contribute to this during transportation systems, water President of Rwanda, and Mr my time as Secretary-General. management and waste disposal. A Carlos Slim Helú, President of the connected citizenry is also seen as a Carlos Slim Foundation, in order to Last but not least, in order to route to better access to education ensure that all sections of society, ensure confidence in the use of and healthcare as well as to more including people living in remote our networks, we have to build collaborative city governance. ICTs communities, and especially women the international frameworks to need to play a strategic role in the and children, receive the benefits of strengthen cybersecurity. That is why development of renewable energy, being connected. I established the Global Cybersecurity and the development of smart, Agenda in 2007. In the security sustainable cities are critical for Along with fostering gender business, trust is key, and if we do overall CO2 reduction and energy mainstreaming through ICTs, we not start to develop such a culture management. must encourage youth, especially of trust, there will be no way that the girls, to contribute to the innovation cyber world can ever become truly ITU calls for stronger cooperation that continues to evolve the safe and secure. Global initiatives between the energy and ICT sectors digital landscape, creating new within the framework of ITU’s Global and emphasizes the value of opportunities for employment and Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA), such international technical standards in growth as well as future leadership. as Child Online Protection (COP) ensuring that smart-city solutions see ITU actively encourages young and the International Multilateral the benefits of economies of scale people to bring in fresh ideas and Partnership Against Cyber Threats and interoperability. ITU provides a dynamism in the ICT sector and (IMPACT) have had a strong impact platform to discuss the necessary display them at forums like ITU in raising awareness of online regulatory environment and gives Telecom World. We also held a Youth perils and sharpening monitoring strong impetus to the integration of Summit: “BYND 2015” in Costa Rica mechanisms. The international effort ICTs as part of smart sustainable city which included an ICT hackathon that I have initiated must plug the strategies in collaboration with the involving young developers from security gaps in the online world energy industry. around the world. and our dedicated teams have been conducting cyber drills around the Q. In what ways Information and communication world to prepare Member States to technologies are drivers of social deal with cyber threats. have you singularly development and economic growth inspired change in the and we need to utilize the technical I urge all our Member States to do world, and what are your expertise at our command to address their utmost to maintain peace in recommendations for some of the global challenges of our cyberspace. Together we can make times, such as combatting climate our world safer, prosperous, more countries striving to achieve change. ICTs provide the key tools to productive and peaceful. social as well as economic monitor the earth and help reduce progress? our carbon footprint, contributing significantly to achieving the goals A. I have been inspired by of sustainable development. the long-standing traditions and commitment of ITU to connect ICTs played a key role as a tool in the world and to facilitate in helping achieve the Millennium communication among people Development Goals (MDGs) even and societies. Whatever I have though they are not cited as a goal. accomplished as Secretary-General, This could not be fully appreciated

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Houlin Zhao was elected ITU Deputy From 1986 to 1992, Mr Zhao was Secretary-General at the Plenipotentiary a senior staff member in the then Conference in Antalya, Turkey, in CCITT, and from 1993-1998 in November 2006. He was re-elected for TSB. Among his responsibilities Houlin Zhao a second four-year term in Guadalajara, as Counsellor for ITU-T Study Secretary-General Mexico, in October 2010. Groups, he was Coordinator for cooperation with other ITU Born in 1950 in Jiangsu, China, Mr Zhao international technical bodies, graduated from Nanjing University of including ISO and IEC. Posts and Telecommunications, and holds an MSc in Telematics from the University Prior to joining ITU, Mr Zhao of Essex in the UK. served as an engineer in the Designing Institute of the Ministry From 1999 to 2006, he served as of Posts and Telecommunications Director of ITU’s Telecommunication of China, taking an active role in Standardization Bureau (TSB). During his country’s expert meetings on his term of office he spearheaded telecommunication standards the introduction of new efficiency and national plans, as well as measures to improve ITU’s standards- participating in ITU’s technical making environment and strengthen Study Group meetings as a its promotion. He also enhanced Chinese delegate. He contributed the strategic partnership between important articles to a number Member States and Sector Members, of prestigious Chinese technical while initiating and maintaining good publications, and in 1985 relationships with industry members. was awarded a prize for his Under his leadership, ITU enhanced achievements in science and its level of international cooperation technology within the Ministry of with other standards development Posts and Telecommunications. organizations, and was instrumental in helping bridge the standardization gap Mr Zhao is married with one between developing and developed son and two grandchildren, countries. and is fluent in three official ITU languages: English, French and Chinese.

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Q. What are the most of environmental impact of ICTs; And finally, ICT promotion – I will important areas of global climate change adaptation and work to promote telecommunication mitigation; energy efficiency for ICT and information and communication ICT policy that are near and equipment, and e-waste. technology services to help achieve dear to your heart as the a better life for all. new leader of ITU?? In addition to producing a wide range of specialist reports on Q. What is most A. Information and climate-related issues, we’ve already communication technologies (ICT) approved a large number of ‘green exciting in the world of ICT are key enablers of social and ICT’ standards, covering areas like development and how can economic development and of an universal global power chargers and Administrations accelerate environmentally sustainable future ‘green battery’ solutions for mobile their efforts to make the for all of the world’s people. The phones, standards for smart power astounding growth that we have seen grids, for metrics to measure ICT most of what the ICT in recent years, particularly in mobile power consumption for equipment industry has to offer? and ICT-enabled applications, will and data centres, and for recycling continue. The world of big data is of rare metals. We have a special A. Huge gaps in terms of access evolving rapidly. Study Group on climate issues (ITU-T to and the use of communications Study Group 5), Focus Groups on technologies still exist, with more Meanwhile, end users are Smart Sustainable Cities, and on than half the global population increasingly concerned about a Smart Water Management, and a still offline, and many people who diverse range issues such as security, number of joint activities on ICT and have still not accessed any modern privacy, quality of service, and service climate change issues with partners communications tools whatsoever. charges. Service providers are facing like our sister agencies in the UN That’s a major impediment to challenges in regard to investment system UNESCO, UNEP and WMO. personal empowerment – especially and the sustainability of business In addition, our Green Standards for those unconnected. But it’s also models. Regulators are focusing on Week has proved one of our most a major opportunity for players able the healthy development of markets. successful new initiatives, with and willing to adapt themselves All these stakeholders will continue the most recent Green Standards to the special needs of particular to play vital roles in the future Week, held in Beijing in September, markets, to think ‘outside the box’ of development of ICT. attracting some 300 participants the standard kind of service offerings In this environment, ITU will from industry and the private sector. that dominate more developed become ever more relevant, and it markets. will be our very important task to The ICT community as it stands help all members of our different Q. What are the key today faces some major challenges: constituencies to navigate their way global expectations that the need to reach marginalized through a fast-changing landscape, you see to be integral communities including the poor, the disabled, and physically remote and to help them make the most of to the way ITU needs to opportunities while minimizing risk. settlements; the need for new In all our activities, it is our aim to operate over the next four infrastructure investment in areas tailor our efforts to best serve the years and beyond? like fixed and mobile broadband; needs of our community – the global the need to have confidence in ICT industry, and of course ultimately A. In a constantly changing using new ICT services; and evolving the world’s ICT users. environment, it is important to be market models such as over-the- able to adjust our order of priorities top (OTT) players. It will be ITU’s to respond to the situations we important and exciting job to help Q. With so much face. When I take office as ITU’s the community it serves to best rhetorical focus placed on 19th Secretary-General, I will be meet these challenges. sustainable development emphasizing the following three and green technologies, priority areas: One of the really major shifts we’re now seeing is that world-class how soon can we expect to ITU membership – I will continue to technical innovation is not always witness tangible impact of work to secure confidence and to coming from industrialized nations, ITU’s efforts on this front? enlist the support of ITU Member nor from the biggest companies. States, as well as to strengthen the Because ICT networks allow for A. By raising awareness of participation of Sector Members, collaboration across the barriers of ICT’s role in tackling environmental Associates and Academia in ITU space and time, anyone with a good challenges including climate change, activities. idea can be empowered to make ITU is promoting innovative ICT that idea a reality. That means even solutions to environmental questions ITU’s effectiveness – I will increase tiny start-ups in the remotest corners and, through our Telecommunication the efficiency of ITU in order to meet of the world can come up with ‘the Standardization Sector, is developing new challenges, and will enhance next big thing’ in ICT. green ICT standards to support a our cooperation with partners to sustainable future, in a huge range strengthen ITU’s leading position in of key areas such as assessment global ICT development.

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broaden still further – and I would like to encourage SMEs to join us; in particular, we need to bring young entrepreneurs from developing countries into the ITU fold.

In addition, there are many associations of professors, including engineers, researchers and lecturers etc., who have expertise and competencies in ICT technologies and services, and I will try to reach out to them.

I think this is one area where industry associations like SAMENA could play a particularly crucial role. You have the network of grassroots contacts, you are in touch with the industry at the national and regional level, and we would love to work with you, and other industry associations, to promote the benefits that ITU membership can bring to smaller start-ups and young entrepreneurs.

Q. What will ITU do Broadening our membership to to increase the level of include universities and academic institutions has also been a very participation from within positive step; we already have more its diverse membership, than 60 new Academia members. and how can industry I’d like to see this grow to over 200 institutions in the coming four years, associations play a more creating a new, global research visible role to augment community that can empower young your efforts? people wherever they live, around the world. A. ICT platforms like remote participation systems are increasingly I would also like to launch a new ‘hi- being used to great effect within tech park’ platform for small- and ITU to enhance the participation of medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) members from developing countries. and young entrepreneurs. Looking This approach also has other at the huge number of different benefits, including reducing costs companies and industries within for both ITU and its members, and the ICT family, I do think that ITU cutting global emissions by reducing membership has the potential to the need for travel.

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Mobile Broadband Subscriptions (Per 100 Population) (Global Rank of SAMENA Countries)

Global Rank Data Not Available

Total countries: 148 Rank 1: Singapore Data Source: World Economic Form Global Competitiveness Report Image Source: SAMENA Council

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Mobile Broadband Subscriptions (Per 100 Population) (Regional Rank of SAMENA Countries)

SAMENA Rank Data Not Available

Research Note: Within the SAMENA region, Qatar has the best mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 populations. The lowest number of mobile broadband subscription per 100 is in Nepal followed by Algeria and Iran respectively. The top 5 ranked countries are from the Middle East. Libya and Mo- rocco from North Africa are ranked 8th and 10th in the SAMENA region. From South Asia, there is not country in the top 10 list.

Data Source: World Economic Form Global Competitiveness Report 2013 Image Source: SAMENA Council page_11 page_12 REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES

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MEMBERS NEWS

Ooredoo, Alca-Lu to market share in Algeria. Through this game-changing achievement we intend deploy 400G backbone to consolidate our technology leadership network in Algeria within the Maghreb region and also in Algeria in order to offer to our clients Algerian cellco Ooredoo (Nedjma) and best-in-class network in terms of capacity French-US vendor Alcatel-Lucent have and speed.’ built a high-capacity optical transport network (OTN) in order to deliver increased speed and capacity to Algeria’s main cities of Algiers, Constantine and Qualcomm Ahead in Oran and a number of smaller towns. The Mobile GPUs agile optical network, which the vendor MEMBERS claims is ‘Africa’s first Alcatel-Lucent 400G Qualcomm is the leader in mobile backbone’, will be fully operational before graphics cores, a market expected to see UPDATES the end of 2014. The network will be based shifts among other players as China’s on Alcatel-Lucent’s Dense Wave Division market for Smartphones and tablets Multiplexing (DWDM) optical transport heats up. The market for mobile devices, technology using the 1830 Photonic including notebooks, continues to soar in Service Switch platform to address spite of economic difficulties. Although demand for high-bandwidth mobile portable devices are not necessarily data services such as high-definition replacing the PC, they are outselling video streaming, next-generation mobile it. Each of these devices has a graphics broadband applications and cloud processor integrated in its application services. Alcatel-Lucent is also supplying processor. Overall, the market for SoCs Ooredoo Algeria with its soft decision with GPUs grew 81% from the first half forward error correction (SD-FEC)-based of 2011. Our study of this segment 100G coherent optical technology, which found Qualcomm has more than 42% was developed using the company’s of the total market for personal mobile 400G Photonic Service Engine (PSE). devices (above). Among the more than four dozen SoC suppliers characterized Joseph Ged, CEO of Ooredoo Algeria as “Others,” Imagination Technologies commented: ‘Ooredoo Algeria has is overwhelmingly the largest supplier the fastest growing 3G network in the of graphics cores, with the exception of country and in North Africa. Our 400G four proprietary, vertically integrated network will be instrumental to support suppliers. However, ARM and Vivante the best quality of experience (QoE) for have shown tremendous growth year- our customers as well as to increase our to-year (see table below). Other SoC

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 suppliers that buy GPU cores include commitment to the Benchmarking surveyed more than 3,000 CIOs across Allwiner, Freescale, Huawei, MediaTek, research is part of its determination eight countries including Australia. Rockchip, and Wonder Media/VIA. to raise awareness of ICT’s impact on This is the first dedicated Australia- These companies have participated in the environment. As an industry, ICT is specific report. Lee Stewart, Head the feature phone market, and some responsible for 3 percent of the world’s of Sustainability at Fujitsu Australia of them have recently entered the total global emissions – a figure that and New Zealand, said in releasing Smartphone, tablet, and handheld is predicted to grow to as high as the report: “It is clear that Australian game machine segments. The 10 percent by 2020. The report was enterprises are making only token exploding tablet market in China is released at an executive briefing on gestures towards the environment. fueling the growth of portable SoCs, ICT sustainability practices in Sydney Failure to take responsibility for the contributing significantly to the today which was opened by the NSW impact on the planet is one thing astounding growth that ARM and Minister for the Environment, Rob but failure to see ICT Sustainability Vivante are experiencing. As a result Stokes and attended by sustainability improvements as key to reducing of China’s tablet surge, dramatic champions from across industry CapEx and energy costs is missing changes are expected during the and government. The commitment the requirements for every area of next 12 months. As a result of the of Government and NGOs to this every business to produce savings. turbulence in the market, we expect Fujitsu initiative was confirmed in the ICT Sustainability, even if seen in pure market shares to shift dramatically forewords to the report from Rob financial terms, cannot be ignored.” In through 2013. More than four dozen Stokes MP, and WWF Australia CEO, encouraging CIOs to download the ICT semiconductor suppliers produce Dermot O’Gorman. William Ehmcke, Sustainability: Australian Benchmark application processors, including Director of Connection Research 2014 report, Stewart said: “If you take Apple, Broadcom, Intel, Marvell, which undertook the research, said: only one thing from this resource, it MediaTek, Nvidia, ST-Ericsson, Texas “From the last Benchmark Report, we is to isolate and understand your ICT Instruments, Toshiba, Qualcomm, can see that ICT Sustainability across energy usage. Treat it like cash in your and Samsung. Of these players, Australian organizations has, by and business - measure it, monitor it and AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm large, stalled. Over the next two years control it. This single action will push are vertically integrated companies we hope to see some very real flow- efficiencies beyond ICT to your whole with their own GPU and CPU designs. on benefits stemming from better organization. Every new technology All of the other companies buy GPU Metrics and increased investment in implementation is an un-missable cores from one of four IP suppliers: Technology Enablement. These will chance to improve sustainability and ARM, DMP, Imagination, or Vivante. have the capacity to drive wholesale financial performance.” Samsung and Broadcom are two improvement and value across private exceptions. Samsung has an internal and public sector enterprises.” This GPU design and buys graphics IP from benchmarking research takes a critical Batelco wins customer both ARM and Imagination. Broadcom look at the five key areas of the ICT also has an internally designed supply chain – Equipment Lifecycle service provider of GPU and buys GPUs from ARM. The Management, the Data Centre, End User the Year Award at leading high-volume suppliers of Computing, Technology Enablement application processors are Apple, and Metrics - and how to measure and CommsMEA 2014 Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, and manage performance and ICT energy Batelco, Bahrain’s leading integrated Samsung. Imagination supplies GPU use. It compares the performance of communications provider has been IP to Apple, TI, and Samsung -- which large IT-using organizations across named as Customer Service Provider also uses ARM GPUs in some phones. Australia’s Finance and Business of the Year at the annual CommsMEA Qualcomm designs its own GPU Services; Government, Heavy Industry; Awards, held in Dubai on December 3 cores. The upcoming SoC suppliers IT, Comms and Media; and Wholesale, at the Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & with impressive design wins to their Retail, Logistics industry sectors. Fujitsu Spa. The CommsMEA Awards set out credit are Intel and Nvidia. Qualcomm, has commissioned this research in to celebrate and pay tribute to the however, is the giant in the industry. 2010, 2011 and 2012 and, to date, has telecoms industry professionals and

Fujitsu ICT Sustainability Report 2014 for Australia Fujitsu today released its ICT Sustainability: Australian Benchmark 2014 report. It highlights key areas in ICT where performance and efficiency improvements are required and outlines the actions that can be taken. In addition to the survey responses from the CIOs of 200 of Australia’s leading ICT-using organizations, the report is an excellent resource which includes expert insights, focus areas and quick win recommendations that are supported by industry commentary and examples. Fujitsu’s

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operators that have demonstrated milestone in our eight quarter plan carrier downlink aggregation and outstanding performance and with positive cash flow. We also download speeds of up to 410Mbps,” achievements during the year. The attained another important milestone said Qualcomm. “Transitioning prestigious Customer Service Provider in the release of our new enterprise from Category 6 to Category 9 of the Year award recognizes the software products and devices,” said LTE-A connectivity will mean 1.5x operator that has placed the customer BlackBerry CEO John Chen, referring to faster peak download speeds, swift at the front and centre of its business the recent launch of BES12. However, application response times, reliable by delivering the best service possible. BlackBerry’s revenue fell sharply to connectivity and connections to To ensure that the people who use $793 million from $1.2 billion a year the fastest networks.” EE said that the services also get to have their say, earlier, well short of the $931.5 million using its remaining 15MHz of the nominations and judging for this award forecast in a Thomson Reuters poll of 2.6GHz spectrum enables the fastest was open to CommsMEA readers in analysts. The company is in the midst speeds and an increase in capacity addition to the judging panel. Batelco’s of re-positioning itself as a specialist in across its network. The operator will newly appointed Acting Bahrain enterprise mobility services, reducing demonstrate these new faster speeds CEO Muna Al Hashemi collected the its reliance on dwindling handset sales. at Wembley Stadium early next year. award at the prestigious ceremony in In fiscal Q3, BlackBerry sold 1.9 million “Working closely with the excellent Dubai. Mrs. Al Hashemi said that she handsets, and recognized revenue on teams at Qualcomm and Huawei on was delighted to collect the award approximately 2 million units. the next generation LTE Category 9 on behalf of Batelco noting that all connectivity enables us to make full the leading telecommunications use of our spectrum holdings, and companies in the region were EE, Qualcomm and continue to offer world class network considered for the accolade of Best capabilities, innovating to stay one Customer Service Provider of the Year. Huawei complete 4G LTE step ahead of operators in Europe,” “Batelco recognizes that excellence Category 9 testing at said EE’s director of network services in customer service underpins the and devices, Tom Bennett. This isn’t success of any telecom operator and 410Mbps the first time EE and Huawei have accordingly Batelco has invested Qualcomm, EE and Huawei have collaborated. Back in 2012 the pair heavily in setting up a state-of-the- successfully completed a 4G trial teamed up to launch the UK’s first art Customer Call Centre at its Hamala to improve speeds and internet 4G LTE network. Huawei described Headquarters.” “The Centre uses the the test as “a latest in technology and infrastructure truly ground backed up by a large team of fully breaking trained and skilled personnel to moment” in ensure that the needs of its customers the move are met,” she added. The winners were towards awarded at the Gala dinner attended the 5G era. by senior executives, personalities However, none and VIP’s from the region’s leading of the firms establishment. confirmed when these speeds will BlackBerry narrows fiscal become a Q3 loss but revenue reality. plunges Canadian Smartphone maker posts connection reliability on mobile $6 million non-GAAP profit, sells 1.9 devices, achieving download speeds million devices. BlackBerry on Friday Cisco showcases of up to 410Mbps. The LTE Category posted a significant improvement in 9 testing is the first of its kind in Idea London start-up earnings for the three months to 30 Europe and will look to dramatically November, but revenue fell sharply. The successes in IoT and improve EE mobile broadband Canadian Smartphone maker reported speeds across greater areas. The healthcare non-GAAP earnings of US$6 million, firms claim that the test has proved or $0.01 per share, compared to a Saudi Arabian telecoms regulator the the operator can aggregate 20MHz Cisco has reported a strong reception loss of $0.02 per share in the previous of 1800MHz spectrum with another for its Idea London centre in the year quarter. It also posted positive fiscal 20MHz of 2.66GHz, and a third carrier since it opened, and has showcased a third quarter cash flow of $43 million, of 15MHz of 2.6GHz. Conducted number of young companies that are compared to negative $36 million using QTI’s Qualcomm Snapdragon now residents of the centre. Founded in fiscal Q2. Meanwhile, BlackBerry’s 810 processor with an integrated in collaboration with University operating loss narrowed to $139 College London and DC Thomson, the LTE-Advanced modem, testing was million from $198 million sequentially, Idea London centre has been open completed on Huawei’s commercial and from $5 billion a year earlier. since October 2013.The centre lies in infrastructure solution across EE’s BlackBerry’s net loss came in a $148 London’s Shoreditch start-up scene, LTE-A 4G+ network. “[We] have million, a significant improvement and offers guidance, advice, support successfully completed inter-company on the $4.4 billion net loss notched and office space for entrepreneurs interoperability testing of LTE up in Q3 2013. “We achieved a key to get products, services and ideas Category 9 connectivity with three- up and running. Start-ups wanting page_14 page_15 REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES

SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 to take part need to attract one of Ooredoo’s fiber network out progress of the network. The the founding companies to be their map is live on Ooredoo’s website and ‘champion’ before they can make use marks major milestone allows customers to find out whether of the support on offer. Tom Kneen, they qualify to upgrade their service head of the British Innovation Gateway Ooredoo yesterday announced it by checking if they are in a fiber-ready at Cisco, told V3 that the growth of has reached another milestone with “Green” area. Ooredoo’s investment in Idea London has helped the centre more than 200,000 customers in Fiber will continue throughout 2015. stand out against the incubators Qatar connected to its faster fiber In addition to expanding the network and accelerators found in London’s network. The achievement was across Qatar, Ooredoo is planning Tech City and other UK technology reached on December 13. Ooredoo’s a sizeable infrastructure investment clusters.”We’ve certainly got ourselves achievement in providing Ooredoo and capacity-building program in the Fiber – combined with Ooredoo’s on the map in a year in this centre as lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 2022. a whole,” he said during a tour of the recent launch of 4G Plus (Advanced facilities. Kneen went on to explain LTE) – means that Ooredoo customers that Cisco got involved in establishing can stay connected to the fastest- the Idea centre as an extension of available Internet at home and while Viva Bahrain Eyes Data work to support innovation in the UK’s moving across the country. Already Growth As Per-User Call technology industry, notably with the this year, an official report from the British Innovation Gateway program. UN Broadband Commission stated Income Falls Cisco has been active in investing that, with 96.4% penetration, Qatar Viva Bahrain, the kingdom’s No.3 in and acquiring start ups, and V3 has the second highest percentage asked Kneen whether Idea London is of household broadband of any mobile operator by subscribers, is effectively an area where the company developing country, after South Korea. betting on rising data revenue to can build up companies before Ooredoo has managed to accelerate offset falling per-user call income, its absorbing them into its corporate the pace of people being connected chief executive told Reuters. Wholly fold. Kneen did not describe this as to Fiber in 2014. Around 9,000 homes owned by Saudi Telecom Co (STC), Viva a core motivation for the company, a month are now being linked to launched operations in March 2010. Ooredoo Fiber. Sheikh Saud bin Nasser but added: “Probably further down It competes with former monopoly al-Thani, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar, said: the track these companies could Bahrain Telecommunications Co form the sort of companies that Cisco “As our community could invest in.” He went on to explain prepares to that Cisco is particularly interested celebrate Qatar in monitoring start-up activity and National Day innovation pertaining to the Internet together, I am of Things (IoT). “In the context of the proud that IoT and the Internet of Everything, Ooredoo has clearly this is a route to find what’s lived up to its out there because the market is very promise to young,” he said. “It is a hunting ground connect people for us to find interesting companies to the fastest- that we can work with in some way, available Fiber but importantly that our customers network.” Earlier can work with as well.” Cisco is also in the year, all involved in the Digital Catapult, 1Mbps plan another centre that offers support and customers guidance for start-ups and has a focus enjoyed a ten on building the UK’s presence in the time speed IoT market. Idea London has attracted increase to start-ups in industries ranging from 10Mbps, education and IT, to fashion and while 10Mbps gaming. Stand out examples include customers were a visual search engine for fashion, boosted to Snap Fashion, which allows people 25Mbps, with no additional charges. (Batelco) and Zain Bahrain, a unit to take a photo of a garment from a Since its launch in 2011, the fiber of Kuwait’s Zain, as well as about 10 network has not only transformed the catwalk or a magazine and find it or a Internet service providers. “Worldwide, broadband Internet market but also similar item online via a mobile device operators are seeing a decline in the digital entertainment industry in or web browser. Another is Energy ARPU (average revenue per user),” Deck which is working on an online Qatar. Ooredoo fiber customers can watch Next Generation Mozaic TV Ulaiyan al-Wetaid, chief executive of energy management platform that Viva Bahrain, told Reuters via email. allows companies to see where energy and the Mozaic GO app, with high- “Driven to some extent by falling is being consumed in a building and definition programming and a range voice revenues as well as competitors take action to improve efficiency and of advanced features including the costs. KO-SU, meanwhile, aims to ability to pause, rewind and record TV actions, it is a challenge all operators provide a web platform that allows from their remote control. Home users face. In Bahrain, the decline in ARPU teachers to create activities and and business customers can access is offset by the increase in revenue classes for mobile devices, which can the fastest Internet speeds – the from data.” Across Bahrain’s telecoms be used to extend education beyond 100Mbps plan – for QR650 per month, sector, voice calls accounted for 64 the traditional classroom. The Idea with basic Fiber packages starting at per cent of the operators’ revenues QR233 for 10Mbps home broadband centre has also attracted technology in 2013, data was 18 per cent, and voice services. Ooredoo has a start-ups specializing in healthcare, text messaging four per cent and which has been touted as a significant real-time online fiber availability map, enabling customers to track the roll- subscription payments 14 per cent, opportunity for entrepreneurs according to the Telecommunications

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Regulatory Authority (TRA). Operators’ Zain holds leadership Work Environments. Commenting per-user revenue fell by about a on the successful completion of the tenth last year, the TRA says. As a workshop to support workshop, Bader Al Kharafi said, “At privately held company, Viva does not future direction the board level, we make no secret publish its accounts, but Wetaid said at Zain that our number one asset is the company was profitable and its Zain Group, the leading telecom our people. We are keen to continue investing in them, exposing them revenue rose 15 per cent in the first half innovator across the Middle East to latest in leadership creativity and of 2014 compared to the year-earlier and Africa, announces the successful hosting of a Creative Leadership allowing them to reach their full period. Full-year revenue in 2013 potential. By doing so, we believe this rose 21 per cent, he said, declining will enhance performance to provide further details. “Data now and drive shareholder accounts for a quarter of our revenues value.” On his part Scott and our estimate is that this will only Gegenheimer noted, “Dr. increase over the next few years,” Mainemelis is a world- said Wetaid. Unusually, 90 per cent of renowned expert in the Bahrain’s broadband subscriptions use field of creative leadership mobile, with the remainder using fixed and we consider ourselves networks and Viva has invested heavily fortunate for him to have in building a fourth-generation (4G) come and shared new insights and management network. As of the end of 2013, Bahrain style ideas with us. As had 2.21 million mobile subscriptions, senior management, we according to the TRA. Batelco had will also continue to strive 868,000 mobile subscribers at that to be better leaders, which time, its annual report showed, and will in turn create a better Zain Bahrain had 772,000, according Workshop, which was held in Kuwait Zain and support our future strategy to parent firm Zain’s filings. That under the patronage of Zain Vice- of being a leading digital innovator.” would imply Viva Bahrain had 570,000 Chairman Bader Al Kharafi , Group subscribers, making it the No.3 CEO Scott Gegenheimer, Zain Kuwait operator. CEO Omar Al Omar and attended Accenture to go on a by senior management from Zain Group and its eight operations. Such major hiring spree Google in Talks to Expand workshops are in line with one of Zain Accenture, the global consulting Group’s strategic pillars to develop its and technology services firm, is to 1Gbps Ultra-Broadband people, availing the foremost thought recruit 1,600 technology, industry & Service to India leaders and learning materials to staff IT specialists by the end of August throughout their careers with the in 2015 positions ranging from entry It has been widely reported across company. In this case, the workshop level to experienced executives. These the Indian media this week that the was run by creativity scholar Dr roles will focus on areas including search engine giant Google is having Babis Mainemelis, who is Associate information architecture, analytics, talks with the IT Ministry of India for Professor of Organizational Behavior mobility, eCommerce and digital the company to roll out 1Gbps Fiber at ALBA Graduate Business School marketing as well as financial services, broadband service in the country as at The American College of Greece retail, communications, media & part of the Indian Goverment’s Digital and a visiting Professor to London entertainment and energy. Prime India program. Google started rolling Business School and Porto Business Minister David Cameron said: Backing out the ultra high speed broadband School as well as being an Editorial business to create jobs is a key part of in Kansas City in 2011 and has since Board Member of the Academy of our long-term economic plan to secure expanded the service to 34 more Management Review. The workshop a brighter future for Britain. Accenture’s cities in the US. Google touts its blended cutting-edge research on plan to create hundreds of jobs across gigabit broadband initiative as a creativity in organizational settings the country is great news and will major growth enabler, saying that “a with numerous concrete examples mean financial security for more world with universal access and 100 of creativity and innovation practices hardworking people.” Olly Benzecry, times faster internet could mean 100 in a wide range of organizations and Accenture’s country managing times the possibilities” According to industries. The format of the delivery director in the UK & Ireland, added: top officials from India’s IT Ministry, was highly interactive, emphasizing “We are looking for skilled individuals the discussions on the project are discussion, questions, and some with the drive to excel in a dynamic still at an initial stage. “We are keen brief experiential exercises. Dr. and fast moving environment. Above to partner a company like Google Mainemelis’ early research examined all, they must share our commitment in furthering the Digital India plan. the role of time and timelessness in to client service as we continue to help Modalities have to be worked out,” the creative process and the role of companies across industries transform the official said. Google’s ambition to play in individual and social creative themselves for success in the new expand its ultra-broadband service functioning. His more recent research digital landscape.” “In return, we are to the world’s largest nation however explores creative deviance, creative offering people a clear, flexible career has its challenges as India’s telecom leadership, and creative careers, path alongside world-class training regulations require any company and the workshop he led for Zain and professional development providing broadband service in the Group senior management touched opportunities,” he stated. The new country to obtain a license which on the areas of Creative Capabilities, recruits will be based at Accenture’s typically has to be acquired via an Creative Leadership, Innovation existing offices in London, Newcastle, open market auction. and Ambidexterity, and Creative Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in tandem with 60 new apprentices.

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A journey of innovation at the heart of technology

alfa celebrates this year 20 years In that context, alfa’s network commitment to make the mobile since its foundation as Lebanon’s first innovation milestones under the service reachable to everyone, alfa cellular network. management by Orascom TMT have has focused over the past two years been the introduction of 3G+ (2011) on further expanding the footprints And today, as the company looks and 4G LTE technologies (2013) in of its network. back on a 20 year success story, record periods, which enabled mobile many milestones are brought to users, for the first time in Lebanon, As part of this expansion strategy: mind since 1994 when it made to browse internet at exceptional • 40% of additional 2G sites have the GSM service available to the speeds not experienced before, that been installed which increased Lebanese until becoming today THE reach up to 40 mbps. the number of 2G sites to a total leader in bringing new and advanced of 1200 covering 99.8% of the telecommunication technologies These milestones have been described Lebanese inhabited territories. to the Lebanese mobile market as “historical achievements” for the • The 3G network capability has over the past few years, under the Lebanese mobile sector, as alfa CEO been doubled to cover 98% management of Orascom TMT. and Chairman, Mr. Marwan Hayek of the Lebanese inhabited comments: “alfa is proud to have led territories, reaching 1100 total With the role of the the introduction of these technological 3G+ sites. In addition, and since telecommunications sector ever and historical achievements in the 4G LTE project was launched evolving, alfa has taken the pledge the telecommunications sector in in May 2013, alfa has doubled to be at the heart of technological Lebanon which allowed it to take a the number of 4G sites to more and the digital revolution. From the major leap forward and reconfirm its than 240 sites at present that early 2000s until today, the journey leading position in the region.” cover 30% of the subscriber base of network innovation has been alfa’s in the Capital Beirut and in major flagship that has reconfirmed its Network expansion cities. leadership in the mobile sector. Fuelled by the high demand for mobile services and as part of its

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Users’ trends favorite songs at convenient and And on top of the priorities for next Mobile users in Lebanon are eager for affordable prices. year, remains the network expansion connectivity on the go. Users’ trends • In addition, and as part of its plans to increase the network and behaviors are a live example for Corporate Social Responsibility capacities to cater for subscribers’ that. program, alfa has been assisting growth. alfa is also in the process of NGOs in facilitating their work launching new services that will make it In a record increase that has exceeded and access to the community. easier for subscribers to manage their all expectations, data subscribers on services on their postpaid and prepaid the alfa network surged by 370% in Services 4-all lines. alfa also intends to expand its three years to reach 1.1 million as of Over the past few years, alfa’s success cooperation with various sectors in the the end of Nov. 2014. Furthermore, journey with its subscribers has been field of M2M to maximize the benefits and in an indicative figure, the number driven by the introduction of more of its infrastructure to the consumer. of data subscribers has become sophisticated pricing schemes through equivalent to 60% of the overall bundles addressing the market alfa remains like never before subscriber base, and the penetration segments with more granularity which committed to offering a sustainable of smartphones on the alfa network showcased alfa’s commitment to meet service to its subscribers, and with the reached 75% by end of Nov. 2014, the growing subscribers’ needs for Lebanese telecoms sector growing which is quite remarkable exceeding mobile services and especially mobile at an unprecedented pace, the rates in developed countries. internet. alfa’s exclusive offerings have possibilities are limitless.

Technology 4all As most of the traditional telecom markets are becoming increasingly saturated, the Telco big players’ business strategies began shifting to new playfields. For quite a while now, we have been hearing about terms like B2B, M2M and cloud services. Thus the role of the telecommunications sector has become cross-functional in a way that it can contribute to the promotion of digital economy across sectors.

alfa has been taking several initiatives to promote this endeavor and employ its infrastructure at the service of the community and the end consumer and at the same time creating new opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs.

To give few examples: • alfa introduced in 2014 the “alfa app store”, a platform that enables the talented Lebanese developer community to benefit from its infrastructure, and showcase their creativity to alfa’s growing been very positively perceived by subscriber base which reached 1.9 users and helped grow the subscriber alfa celebrates this year 20 years million subscribers. base and data usage, especially with since its foundation as Lebanon’s • alfa has embarked on a partnership bundles like “Khat 3askari” or “Army first cellular network. And today, as with Bank Audi, a leader Lebanese Line” and “U-Can” for people with the company looks back on a 20 year bank, to introduce the contactless special needs, in addition to the success story, many milestones are technology “Tap 2 Pay” service “U-Chat” line which primarily targets brought to mind since 1994 when it which has shaped a new payments the youth segment, a segment that is made the GSM service available to the landscape in Lebanon that brings owned by alfa and to whom specific Lebanese until becoming today THE ease, security and speed to offers and products are tailored. leader in bringing new and advanced transactions. telecommunication technologies to • alfa continued to develop Looking forward to the next 20 years the Lebanese mobile market over the partnerships with third party alfa looks forward to the challenges of past few years, under the management service providers and has the next 20 years in the business, with of Orascom TMT. partnered with Anghami, a leader great enthusiasm to keep up with the in the music business in the Arab pace of the huge demand for mobile World, on launching the “alfa services. Anghami” bundle that allows music lovers to listen to their

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REGIONAL NEWS

Etisalat to build 200 base frequency bands. Ooredoo’s sole LTE radio and core network technology stations in 100 days provider Nokia Networks issued its own press release highlighting the project’s Etisalat’s Sri Lankan unit is expanding technical advancements, noting that its 2G and 3G network coverage via the carrier aggregation (CA), a key feature deployment of 200 base stations in 100 of LTE-A, enables operators to create days, across eight districts in the country. larger, virtual carrier bandwidths for The project is planned for completion by services by combining separate spectrum the end of January 2015 and is part of the bands, thus boosting network capacity cellco’s coverage and capacity expansion and speed as well as performance. program. TeleGeography’s GlobalComms For the Qatari launch, Nokia provided REGIONAL Database notes that Middle Eastern- its ‘Flexi Multiradio 10’ base stations, backed Etisalat is the third placed mobile Evolved Packet Core technology and UPDATES operator in Sri Lanka with 20.3% of the NetAct network management system; country’s subscribers at 30 June 2014, it combined the 800MHz and 2600MHz while at the same date its 3G coverage spectrum bands by upgrading the extended to approximately 70% of the currently installed equipment with its CA island’s population. software; while the vendor also provided network planning services. Waleed Al- Sayed, COO, Ooredoo Qatar, said: ‘The demand for higher network capacity and LTE-A: Ooredoo do that, speed in malls, stadiums and at national do they? events is growing at a rapid pace. With Nokia Networks’ help, we are now able to Ooredoo Qatar has launched the address this demand, offering the fastest country’s first commercial LTE-Advanced network with latest technology for our (LTE-A) service, boosting its network’s customers. peak mobile downlink data speeds to 225Mbps from its previous limit of 150Mbps, the operator announced in a press release. The ‘4G+’ services Mobily expands fiber- are initially available in parts of Doha optic network to 20 cities – Corniche, West Bay lagoon, Katara, Souq Waqif, Al Rayyan, Shahaniya and Saudi Arabian telecoms operator Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) has extended its fiber- Sealine – from December 1 at no added optic network to the cities of Jazan, cost for users with devices supporting Unaizah and Al Hofuf, thus bringing LTE-A on either 800MHz or 2600MHz the total number of cities served to 20. page_19 page_20 REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES

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According to the Saudi Gazette, the The awards also honor companies also said that the whole concept was telco is aiming to cover more than that have invested in technology, tested in the laboratories in China one million residential units with implemented winning strategies and as well as in Qatar. “It worked in the its fiber network by the end of the developed services to capture the labs and we are trying to convince year. Mobily’s chief operating officer hearts and minds of end users. the manufactures that there is a new Nasser Al Nasser commented: ‘Mobily generation of high speed. In a few is in a race against time for the years, it will be commercialized. It deployment of a fiber-optic network Ooredoo breaks world in all regions of the Kingdom; we record in mobile might take some time but it is going work in accordance with a technical to be a reality,” he added. plan that took into account the speed broadband speed of implementation and the quality Ooredoo Qatar, along with partners of provided service.’ According to Nokia Networks and China Mobile, ictQATAR launches beta TeleGeography’s GlobalComms has set up a new world record in Database, in June 2011 Mobily version of Qatar’s ICT mobile broadband speed with over awarded contracts worth SAR400 4.1 Gbps speed over the TDD-FDD Observatory million (US$106 million) to install metropolitan fiber-optic networks LTE network. This was showcased ictQATAR has announced the beta in four different cities; more than yesterday at the ITU Telecom World version of Qatar’s ICT Observatory, a 70,000 households in Riyadh, Jeddah, 2014, being held at Qatar National central platform of ICT-related data Dammam and Al-Khobar were Convention Centre. Announcing the and statistics on Qatar accessible covered under the first phase of the details, Waleed Mohamed al-Sayed, to businesses, entrepreneurs, project, with the operator rolling out chief operating officer, Ooredoo Qatar, researchers, decision- and policy- around 4,000km of fiber. By end-June said that using this feature, users can makers, government entities and 2014 the company had connected download a full-length 5GB HD movie the public. The ICT Observatory is more than 850,000 residential units in just 11 seconds and simultaneously part of a government-wide effort to with fiber. upload a 30MB video in less than a “open up” more data to the public second. According to the official, to further increase government transparency and accountability. The the partnership has set an industry Etisalat Wins Three observatory is a trusted source of benchmark at 300 Mbps uplink with information on Qatar’s ICT landscape, CommsMEA Awards 3.8 Gbps downlink. Supported by the supports important policy-making Global TD-LTE Initiative, the speed and evaluation activities, reduces Etisalat Group collected three was achieved by combining TDD- and research and data investments among prestigious awards at the 9th Annual FDD-LTE spectrums and aggregating enterprises and other organizations, CommsMEA Awards, which took place 10 carriers with 200 MHz bandwidth. and promotes discussion on ICT- at Sofitel, The Palm in Dubai. Among related topics. Launched following the the awards Etisalat received was the Al-Sayed said: “We are building the release of Qatar’s Open Data Policy, Telecom Deal of the Year award, in biggest, fastest network in Qatar, so the ICT Observatory allows users to honor of the group’s acquisition of a that customers across the country view and analyze data from a variety 53% stake in Maroc Telecom in May can access next-generation wireless of sources, including specialized this year. The telecommunications data services. We are very proud that surveys on ICT usage and penetration giant also received the African Mobile the first-ever ITU Telecom World to of households, individuals, business Operator award for the expansion be held in Qatar should showcase and government dating back to of its footprint in African continent this record-breaking success with the 2008; licensed telecom operators; to 14 markets, and Overall Mobile support of Ooredoo. By deploying international reports; and aggregated Operator of the year for Etisalat - our advanced LTE network in Qatar, data from other government entities UAE, recognizing the groundbreaking we are truly laying the foundation for in Qatar, informing users about the operations Etisalat is leading in the the future. The official also said that continuous developments taking UAE. Ahmad Julfar, CEO - Etisalat this development was a challenge on place in Qatar’s ICT landscape. “These Group said: “2014 was indeed a year initiatives will help spur innovation of achievements, and I would like the other stakeholders in the telecom and support researchers in Qatar and to congratulate our employees in industry for devices that can perform around the globe,” said HE the Minister all our markets for this remarkable faster. “We are putting pressure on of Information and Communications recognition from our industry, which manufacturers of mobile devices as Technology Dr Hessa al-Jaber. “These is bestowed upon those who have well as regulators to come up with efforts are critical to advancing a helped turn the telecommunications new devices that can match the knowledge-based economy in Qatar.” sector in the Middle East, Asia and speed. We are also calling upon the Qatar’s ICT Observatory has a number Africa into one of the most dynamic regulators, the decision makers and of functionalities that allow for useful and vibrant in the world. I am very the ITU to push the sector to provide and quick access to ICT data across proud.” Julfar added, “I would also us with some devices that can cater various topics, including viewing like to thank all our partners and to the new levels of speed.” He said: indicators; generating, browsing and customers across all the markets we “Earlier we used to spend hours downloading analytical reports and operate in, as well as the Board of data; creating and reviewing charts Directors and shareholders of Etisalat and subsequently minutes for the and tables; refining and customizing for their contribution to Etisalat’s download and upload of data. Now queries; and creating customized successful journey and enabling the we are not going to wait as it can reports for further analysis. The Group to make these achievements.” be downloaded in seconds. People observatory uses data visualization The annual CommsMEA Awards need not wait for longer duration for tools to help users explore and analyze acknowledges operators and downloading. This is going to make the data. In-memory technology individuals who have taken leadership everyone’s life easier in all the sectors enables quick dissection of the data roles in the region’s fast-growing and including business, government, as and creation of interactive reports rapidly changing telecoms sector. well as for the consumers. Al-Sayed through web and mobile devices.

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The advanced analytics and data topics that resonate with those in Mobily, Zain Saudi visualization capabilities will help the early stages of development or users better understand Qatar’s working in the industry,” said H.E. proceed with arbitration ICT landscape. The final portal will Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, UAE Saudi Arabian telcos Etihad Etisalat be released in March 2015 and mGovernment Director General. “eBiz (Mobily) and Zain Saudi Arabia, who the Arabic version by the end of Payment aims to gather key players 2015. The content of the portal have been embroiled in a payment in eBusiness and the eCommerce will be licensed under a Creative dispute since last week, have industry. As new drives in this sector are Commons attribution to ensure proceeded to the next stage of the highlighted throughout the session, fair and optimal usage. QNREN, an arbitration process. According to a the advances within eCommerce in independent high-speed network, press release published on the Saudi the region and the UAE are effectively will allow any educational Stock Exchange (Tadawul) website, showcased,” he added. According institution (universities, colleges, the two operators have selected their to the Federal Law No. 1 of 2006 on schools) and research institutions respective arbitrators, which in turn within Qatar to exchange data Electronic Commerce and Transactions have appointed an umpire. At the first and services. It also provides (the “Act”) the Telecommunications hearing, scheduled to take place on 13 international connectivity Regulatory Authority of the UAE was December 2014, the arbitration panel with universities and research appoint as the authority entrusted will determine the procedures and institutions worldwide. QNREN with overseeing certification services duration of the arbitration process; was initiated by Qatar University in the UAE pursuant to Article 20 (QU) and is sponsored by further, Mobily will present its demands of the Act. The Cabinet approved ictQATAR. QNREN has a dedicated and supporting documentation, while this recommendation pursuant to dark fiber backbone, provided by Zain Saudi will submit its jurisdictional its decision no. 8/291 on October the Qatar National Broadband and substantive defences. As reported 15th, 2006. The mission of the Network (Qnbn), and is capable by CommsUpdate last week, Mobily Telecommunications Regulatory of 100Gbps with possibility of requested a referral to arbitration with Authority eCommerce Department is upgrade. Qnbn will provide regards to receivables due under an also the fiber connectivity to all to promote economic development agreement signed with rival Zain Saudi existing and future members of and technological innovation within on 6 May 2008. Mobily disclosed that the network and QU will host the the defined parameters of a fair by 30 November 2013, Zain owed it QNREN operation. The first entities eCommerce regulatory regime in line SAR2.2 billion (USD586.3 million) for to connect to QNREN are QU and with international standards College of the North Atlantic. The the provision of national roaming, beta version of the Observatory is site sharing, transmission links and available at www.ictobservatory.qa international traffic; the company said Blocked sites opened by that it could not reach an amicable 3m settlement with its rival for the amount TRA hosts third eBiz due, so its management decided to About 3 million Internet users this revert back to arbitration. For its part, Workshop to promote year managed to gain access to Zain Saudi has deemed Mobily’s claims UAE eCommerce websites blocked in the Kingdom, an as ‘unfounded’, with Hassan Kabbani, academic has revealed. Nasser Al- Zain Saudi’s chief executive, cited as The UAE Telecommunications Buqami, an IT professor, said this was saying: ‘We have been asking Mobily Regulatory Authority (TRA) a 58 percent increase from the year to provide documentation that could is set to host the third ‘eBiz before. Meanwhile, he said Internet justify this claim and so far they have Payment’ Workshop in its Dubai penetration has risen from 38 percent failed to do so – these claims are not headquarters on Monday, 8 in 2009 to 64 percent in 2014, and now valid … It is something very serious – December, 2014. The purpose stands at 18.3 million users. It would there is no way this amount is feasible behind the event is to bring be 87 percent within the next five or reasonable.’ together stakeholders from across years, according to recent studies, he the eCommerce industry to discuss said. Young Saudis are the main users, ways to advance the sector and with 72 percent male and 28 percent Viva Kuwait shares enhance the online transaction female. “Riyadh has the highest experience of UAE Internet users. number of users in the Kingdom at officially listed on local Boosting both consumer and 29 percent, followed by 16 percent in bourse business confidence in the safety Jeddah,” he said. Forty-one percent of of the UAE eCommerce system is Internet users in Saudi Arabia are on Telecoms operator Viva (Kuwait also a key focus area on the event’s Twitter. The Kingdom has the world’s Telecom Company) has officially agenda. “At the third installment highest number of Twitter users in begun trading its shares on the local of this innovative workshop series, terms of its population size. Indonesia stock exchange, Albawaba reports. As we have designed the program and the Philippines are in second and previously noted by TeleGeography’s to provide a holistic view of the third places. With the rise in users, CommsUpdate, the operator received ecommerce ecosystem and our there has been an increasing demand regulatory approval from Kuwait’s goals are to continuously support for mobile and home-based Internet Capital Market Authority (CMA) to the people, entrepreneurs and and broadband services. There have list on the local stock exchange in the businesses they represent, been about 20.7 million subscriptions September 2014, almost six years after to launch their own eCommerce so far this year, for mostly voice it completed an initial public offering platform and store. We also aim to communication services and data (IPO), which raised KWD25 million provide those attending with a full packages. This also reveals a growth in (USD94 million) in a sale open to grasp on the sector, by covering Smartphone usage. Kuwaiti nationals only. Viva’s chairman, Adel Mohamed el Roumi, commented: page_21 page_22 REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES

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‘Listing the company’s stocks and IT Commission (CITC) shortlisted the country’s bourse. Previously, both on the Kuwait Stock Exchange three companies for MVNO licenses, Orange Group of France and UK-based (KSE) is a milestone for our board including Lebara in partnership with Vodafone have expressed interest in members, executive management, second-placed cellco Mobily. The entering the Algerian market as part of and each of our employees. It is MVNO initially planned to launch collaboration with domestic operators. a pivotal point that reflects Viva’s in March 2014, but it subsequently strategic direction of continued postponed the commercial expansion and growth as the deployment of its services, allegedly Ooredoo claims 200,000 confidence of various shareholders due to interconnection issues with and investors is gained.’by various other operators; however, it was fiber broadband potential bidders within the beaten to the punch by rival Virgin customers framework of the minister’s recent Mobile Saudi Arabia, which launched visits to Dubai, South Korea and its commercial offering over Saudi Ooredoo Qatar reached the milestone China. In October Harb extended Telecom Company’s (STC’s) network of 200,000 customers connected to its the management contracts for in September 2014 via two brands – fiber broadband network on December Touch (Zain) and Alfa (Orascom) Virgin, targeting the youth market 13, it announced in a press release for six months to give the telecoms (which comprises nearly half of the yesterday, having launched the high ministry time to finalize terms and population), and FRiENDi Mobile, speed triple-play connectivity service conditions and gain state approval aimed at expatriates in the country nearly three years ago. Ooredoo added for the longer-term contracting that around 9,000 homes a month are process. During the mooted two- currently being connected to Ooredoo year management period, Harb Derdouri: ‘The opening Fiber, supporting 100Mbps broadband intends to push for implementing speeds, voice telephony and IPTV delayed telecoms sector reforms of the capital of Algerie (‘Mozaic TV’), while the lion’s share of as per Law 431 of 2002, which Telecom is not the best its existing fixed broadband customers stipulates the transformation of have now been transferred from ADSL state-owned incumbent fixed line solution’ connections. Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar, said: ‘As operator Ogero into Liban Telecom, The Algerian government is reportedly our community prepares to celebrate an integrated telco licensed for reluctant to privatize domestic Qatar National Day together, I am all mobile/fixed services and incumbent Algerie Telecom (AT), with proud that Ooredoo has lived up to earmarked for privatization. Harb Zohra Derdouri, Algeria’s Minister of its promise to connect people to explained that the government Post and Information Technology and the fastest-available fiber network.’ would look to attract a major Communication, cited by domestic Ooredoo’s fibred investment will international strategic partner news source Al Moudjahid as saying: continue throughout 2015, while the ‘such as Vodafone or Orange’ to ‘The opening of the capital of Algerie full-service operator is also planning take a 40% stake in Liban Telecom, Telecom is not the best solution.’ The a significant infrastructure investment thereby significantly boosting minister added: ‘One country, whatever and capacity-building program in the competition. it is, must have an operator of its own, run-up to the FIFA World Cup 2022 for, inter alia, to preserve its security hosted by Qatar. and sovereignty … I have not received Lebara launches any guidance in this regard. But in the MVNO services in case [where there is open request for AT capital], I will defend my position ANRT establishes the Saudi Arabia until I am proven wrong.’ According rules for passive access to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Mobile virtual network operator Database, plans for privatization of to the local loop (MVNO) Etihad Jawraa (Lebara) state-owned AT have been mooted has launched commercial services Morocco’s telecoms regulator, the for several years but have come to in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Agence Nationale de Reglementation nothing. In February 2009 AT chairman (KSA), piggybacking on Etihad de Telecom (ANRT), has published its Foamed Benhamadi claimed that Etisalat’s (Mobily’s) network. decision ANRT/DG/No.14 (dated 9 opening up the company to outside The operator says it is targeting December 2014), which establishes investment was no longer necessary migrant communities with its the technical requirements and tariffs and that plans were under way to pay-as-you-go SIM deals and for passive access to Maroc Telecom’s pump EUR100 million (USD137.5 related products; The country is (IAM’s) fixed local loop. The new million) into the development of fiber- home to more than eight million document comprises eight articles and optic networks over the next five years. foreign workers. Fadi Kawar, CEO lifts all restrictions on accessing the However, in October 2013 local media of Lebara KSA, commented: ‘One physical components of the wired local reports revealed that the Conseil of Lebara’s main objectives in KSA loop, which the incumbent operator des participations de l’Etat (CPE), is to bridge the gap and provide has established in order to limit the the agency managing the Algerian more affordable international use of its equipment by competitors. government’s stake in state-owned and local voice, as well as data The ANRT gave the former monopoly business entities, was planning a public services for our market segments operator a deadline of 31 December sale of the shares of ten nationalized in KSA, while maintaining high to provide an updated wholesale companies, including AT. Further, in quality levels.’ As previously offer ‘integrating all requests for April 2014 it was suggested that the noted by CommsUpdate, in June amendments and improvements government was planning to put 20% 2013 Saudi Arabia’s telecoms requested by the ANRT’ to rival of Mobilis’ share capital up for sale on watchdog the Communications operators Meditel and Inwi. In June

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2014 the ANRT published the rules phone retailer Axiom. However, its STC to book SAR166m governing local loop unbundling license was withdrawn and retendered (LLU) in Morocco. Under the new before it could launch on host network gain in 4Q14 on land regulations, Maroc Telecom is Zain because it failed to submit transfer required to provide colocation for unspecified documents to the CITC. third-party operators’ equipment Saudi Telecom Company (STC), the in its existing cabinets, install country’s leading telco in terms of multi-operator cabinets for part TRA launches the new subscribers, has announced that it of their future nodes and establish expects to book a SAR621 million an active wholesale offer for third- UAEPedia website and (USD166 million) gain in Q4 2014 due party operators under a virtual app to transfer of some of its land holdings unbundled local access (VULA) to the government. Previously, in June, model. Although the incumbent The Telecommunications Regulatory the company said that the state had telco was initially required to Authority (TRA) launched the new seized a 1.05 million square-meter provide a technical and tariff UAEPedia website and smart device plot in the Al Faisaliah district of wholesale offer for passive access application at a workshop at its Dubai Riyadh, with a book value of SAR105.3 to its fixed local loop by 1 August, office. Several representatives from million. Earlier this week, the operator it was accused of failing to publish federal and local government entities confirmed that the government had wholesale offers that cover shared had gathered to participate in the begun transferring ownership of the cabinet access, full and partial workshop. The workshop comes in land in exchange for compensation unbundling and bitstream access line with the efforts of the TRA to shift of SAR726.3 million. However, the on several occasions. towards a mobile government in order telco added that it did not consider to enhance and improve the nation’s the compensation amount to be fair, ICT sector. The UAE mGovernment and disclosed that it would appeal Lebara becomes team had been working hard to the decision. Reuters writes that develop and re-launch the UAEPedia some estimates suggest that the land Saudi Arabia’s second website to enable a greater degree appropriated from STC could be worth MVNO of interaction with the public. The between SAR.36 billion and SAR2.83 UAEPedia app is available in the billion. Service provider rolls out prepaid official UAE mGovernment app store. SIMs targeted at country’s 10 “UAEPedia represents a national million expats. Lebara this week platform for information concerning Three of four UAE became the second service our homeland: its history, heritage provider to launch MVNO services and cultural and political figures, residents use in Saudi Arabia. The London- while housing countless informational Smartphones based company, which targets channels. We have developed this migrants with SIM-only price plans encyclopedia to promote patriotism With over a 76 percent Smartphone and low-cost international calling towards our nation and its leadership,” penetration, more than three out packages, has begun offering said H. E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, of four people in the UAE are using prepaid services via host network Director General, UAE mGovernment. Smartphones. New Smartphone Mobily as part of a consortium that “The project is based on the principle releases have also seen a 41.67 per includes an unspecified number of sharing, which will flourish with cent growth in the third quarter of of Saudi investors. “Offering the efforts of many other entities 2014. “The shipments were better than high quality and low cost mobile with whom we will be working in expected and unusually high. Usually, products to migrant communities the near future. Hence, I would like the third quarter of the year is a slow is the driving force of our business. to thank all the participants in this quarter,” said Nabila Popal, research With today’s launch we’ll be able workshop in advance and invite them manager for mobile handsets at to offer this service to the millions to actively contribute information to International Data Corporation (IDC). of expats living and working in enrich the encyclopedia with their Samsung seems to be the preferred Saudi Arabia, helping them stay knowledge,” he added. Stressing the brand amongst UAE Smartphone connected to their friends and importance of preserving the Arabic users, holding a 37 percent of the family at home,” said Lebara language and making information market share in the third quarter. It CEO Yoganathan Ratheesan, in a available online in Arabic, Al Mansoori was followed by Apple with 12 percent statement on Monday. Lebara puts said, “The UAEPedia comes in line and Lenovo with 10 percent. In the the number of expatriates living in with our ongoing efforts to support basic phones segment, Nokia is still Saudi Arabia at approximately 10 Arabic content and the creation of reigns with about 68 per cent share million. It has become the second an electronic record that conveys the of the market in the UAE. “As long as company to launch MVNO services UAE’s message to the world. Each Dubai continues to be a transit city in Saudi Arabia after Virgin Mobile, contributor would have a responsibility with a large proportion of construction which went live on STC’s network with regard to their role in building workers, these phones will remain to in late September. Like Virgin, it the UAEPedia and to ensure constant be in some demand here. Additionally, was awarded a full MVNO license flow of accurate information about phones have become the highest by the telecom regulator, the our beloved nation.” The workshop trading commodity. Dubai is not just Communications and Information included the screening of a short a transit city for people, but also for Technology Commission (CITC) in video about the UAEPedia application phones — that are re-exported to March and originally aimed to go and an introduction to the new version other countries from here,” Popal said. live in the second quarter. A third of the encyclopedia. It also included a license was issued to Dubai-based session to address the participants’ queries relating to the encyclopedia. page_23 page_24 REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES

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Asia has the highest number of internet users in the world with almost half of its population are connected to the internet. Beyond Internet Access Although Africa is lagging behind with 9.8% of its population has access to the Internet but it is leading the mobile broadband growth worldwide, the Mobile-broadband penetration in Africa reached close to 20% in 2014 up from 2% in 2010 [source : ITU 2014 ].

The Internet has demonstrated that it The number of internet users has reached is the fastest growing communication 3 billion users in November 2014, medium in mankind history, the number which means about 40% of the world’s of internet users has increased tenfold population are currently using the from 1999 to 2013. The first billion- internet and approximately one out of internet user was reached in 2005, the three people in the developing countries second billion in 2010 and the third are is online. billion in 2014.

Mohamed EL Bashir Technical Affairs Manager Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority

Source : Internetlivestats.com page_25 REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES

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The Internet access rates continues to of its creation, IPv4 was not intended local Internet service providers (ISPs) grow at a significant pace. However, to satisfy the needs of a global large to exchange traffic directly with one much of the internet development Internet as its today. It was developed another in the country or regionally, work remains to be done to ensure the to support the needs of experimental rather than sending internet traffic economic and social benefits of the research and government networks. Internet to everyone. Furthermore, the IPv4 is limited resource and it is fully over international transit links. IPX has online internet users are experiencing deplete day has already come; very the benefit of reducing the latency significant variations in their user soon, IPv4 will be fully depleted of traffic exchange; which results in experience depending on their country around the globe. a faster and better quality of internet and jurisdiction. usage experience, as internet traffic As Mobile operators and wireless does not have to travel outside the With the huge use of mobile service providers plan for the next country and sometimes the continent, broadband that can be rolled-out generation high-speed mobile to be exchanged is also saving money faster and at a lower cost than fixed networks, they must keep in mind that was being spent on international broadband, Internet access is no that IPv4 exhaustion will not just transit links. longer a critical issue for those in the limit growth, but may also affect and developing world as it was used to be even impair their existing customer’s IXPs are a key local interconnection decades ago. Nonetheless, internet internet services experience. In 2009, points and traffic technical facilities service cost affordability remains as a the USA mobile operator Verizon where all Internet players reduce the

Density distribution of Internet Exchange Points (darker blue denotes higher density) Source: Packet Clearing House Report on IXP Locations, at: https://prefix.pch.net/applications/ixpdir/summary/ significant barrier many internet users released technical specifications number of network hops to exchange in the developing or lest developed for devices to operate on its “next- traffic, increase the number of route countries. generation” networks. options available, optimize use of international Internet connectivity, There are two important technical Since 2000 Governments around the improve network resilience and may components that needs to be world started focusing their efforts increase Internet penetration and considered to ensure sustainability to ensure their large Governments usage over the long-term. and growth of Internet services in any networks are Ipv6 ready, for example given country, the first is the migration the USA government specified in 2005 Worldwide there are 114 countries and adoption of the Internet new that the network backbones of its that has established one or more IP address protocol ( IPv6 ) and the federal agencies had to be upgraded IXP, nine countries have more than second is the establishment of national to IPv6 by June 30, 2008; this objective ten IXPs, including: U.S. (84), Brazil Internet Exchange Points “IXP”. was completed before its deadline. (28), Russia and France (21), Japan Every computer, mobile phone, The Chinese Government as well (16), Germany (14), UK (13), Sweden and any other device connected to implemented a five-year plan for (12), and Australia (14). Africa is also the Internet needs an IP address to deployment of IPv6 called the “China has good growth of established IXPs, communicate with other devices. Next Generation Internet”. South Africa has 6 IXPs, Angola, Egypt, Therefore, IPv6 migration is critical for Kenya, Tunisa and Tanzania has two the growth of the internet; the internet National Internet Exchange Points IXPs each [source : Packet Clearing has been growing for decades using “IXPs” play a critical role in routing House, IXP Report 2014]. the IPv4 address space. At the time traffic more efficiently, by enabling

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Regulatory NEWS

Net-neutrality realities In today’s world Title II would mandate the strictest form of net neutrality. The EU changing quickly for has proposed similar legislation, but some business and regulators individual governments are blocking it. The two critical actors in the private The battle for “net neutrality” has waged sector—telcos and OTT players such as for more than a decade and is from far Google, Facebook, Netflix and others— over. However, we are clearly moving into continue to fight for regulation that is a new phase where a variety of policies are beneficial to their particular interests. But being developed, allowing for different at the same time the two sets of players things to happen on a country-by-country are also negotiating agreements between basis. At the same time, telecom operators themselves, whether regulatory authorities and over the top (OTT) players are still like it or not. Creative, mutually-rewarding Regulatory bashing each other, but a number of commercial agreements are being set creative agreements will allow consumers up. European incumbents are interested updates to benefit from new experiences. This in laying down the red carpet for video- variety of policies and business strategies on-demand Netflix, because they want will soon provide a better view of what to offer more content to fight cable works and what doesn’t. The South operators. Other telcos accuse Netflix of Korean government has passed what is eating their cake without contributing to in effect an anti-neutrality law allowing the roll out of infrastructure. Facebook is operators to charge for OTT services. signing so-called zero-rate agreements The Chilean and Dutch governments with mobile operators in Africa and other have passed strict net-neutrality pieces emerging markets, providing FB and other of legislation. Swiss operators have selected content for free to entice users to voluntarily signed a net-neutrality pact. enjoy mobile broadband and pay for it in US President Barrack Obama intervened the future. Operators are engaging with in the American neutrality debate Facebook because in countries such as suggesting telecom should be considered Myanmar, FB is a synonym for Internet. a utility regulated by the highly-restrictive But in some countries, such as Chile, this “common carriers” Title II section of the type of agreement has been blocked in the 1934 Telecommunication Act which name of neutrality. Google is also involved told the then telephone monopoly Bell in a broad agreement with Etisalat in the Systems it was running a public utility, UAE to strengthen its services via the and as such could not use its privileged operator. Interestingly some operators position to discriminate against people. who are at war with OTTs are making

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 agreements with them at the same to the roll-out obligations, spectrum cable networks in the federal states of time. The discussion is really evolving cap, different models and approaches North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, into a more complex environment for for the valuation of the spectrum and for an enterprise value of EUR3.5 billion regulators and business strategists estimate of reserve price of spectrum (USD4.4 billion), before snapping up alike. We should be glad there is not a in the 2100 MHz. Baden-Wurttemberg-based Kabel world government to impose a single BW from Swedish private equity firm set of regulations when it comes to EQT in March 2011 for EUR3.16 billion. such a complex issue as net neutrality. France’s 700MHz auction The merger of Unitymedia and Kabel It is too early to put armor on it. BW was completed on 1 July 2012, expected in 2015 creating Germany’s second largest French president Francois Hollande cable operator, but last year a regional Mobily requests has reportedly announced that court reversed the 2011 antitrust telecoms regulator the Autorite de approval of the KabelBW acquisition arbitration in payment Regulation des Communications and ruled that regulators must re- dispute with Zain Electroniques et des Postes (Arcep) examine the deal. Unitymedia filed a will initiate the process of auctioning complaint against the ruling, though a Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), Saudi frequencies in the 700MHz band for decision is still pending and could take Arabia’s second largest cellco in months, Reuters writes. If the federal terms of subscribers, has requested court upholds the ruling, Unitymedia a referral to arbitration with regards KabelBW could be forced to make to receivables due under a Roaming Service Agreement signed with rival concessions to protect competition, Zain Saudi on 6 May 2008. Mobily or even unwind the merger. According disclosed that by 30 November to two people familiar with the 2013, Zain owed it SAR2.2 billion company’s thinking, Liberty is open to (USD586.15 million) for the provision selling Unitymedia KabelBW, although of national roaming, site sharing, Liberty’s CFO Charles Bracken told transmission links and international Reuters that he expected the obstacles traffic. The company said that it could in the country to be overcome. ‘In not reach an amicable settlement with Germany we are facing a shakedown its rival for the amount due, so its from the regulators. But the KabelBW management decided to revert back transaction will not be unwound. We to arbitration, in accordance with the are working to negotiate a solution Arbitration Rules and Regulations outlined in the Service Agreement. with regulators,’ the executive was The cellco also said that it has already telecoms services in 2015, Advanced cited as saying. provided a total of SAR1.1 billion Television reports. Addressing against total receivables due from previously expressed concerns of Zain as of 30 October 2014. Mobily Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Regulator’s suggestion said the aforementioned agreement is broadcasters that the allocation would still valid, although it highlighted that interfere with the plans to migrate on India spectrum price it is’ receiving irregular payments for the DTT platform to MPEG-4 AVC by its services’. According to Mobily, both 2015 and DVB-T2 by 2023, President by January parties have selected their respective Hollande said that France needed Telecom Regulatory Authority of arbitrators and the appointment of an an audiovisual sector that could India (TRAI) is expected to give umpire is currently underway. broadcast broadly, effectively and recommendations for base price and securely, adding: ‘This is the objective valuation of 3G spectrum by early of transferring the 700MHz band January as the government plans to to the telecom sector. The state will TRAI seeks comments on auction the airwaves along with 2G ensure that the available resources are 2100 MHz reserve price guaranteed for broadcasting’. As such, sale scheduled in February. “There Arcep is expected to launch a tender is an open house discussion on The Telecom Regulatory Authority of for the 700MHz spectrum band in December 22 on the issue and the India (TRAI) said on Tuesday that it has November 2015, with projections recommendations can be out by the been asked to expedite the process for that the auction could generate up to first two weeks of January or earlier,” its recommendations on the reserve EUR3 billion (USD3.8 billion) for the a source in TRAI said. TRAI has issued price of 2100 MHz band and issued the treasury a consultation paper on valuation and consultation paper to seek comments reserve price of spectrum in 2100 on issues related to valuation and MHz band, used for 3G services, on reserve price. In a statement TRAI said, Liberty could exit December 2. The Department of “DoT requested TRAI to expedite the Telecom had on October 16 asked process for its recommendations on Germany if antitrust TRAI to give recommendations for the reserve price of 2100 MHz band pressure heats up reserve price of spectrum in 2100 and related issues so that the auction MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands. of spectrum in this band could be Liberty Global could leave Germany if DoT though on November 27 asked conducted along with the auction of pressure from competition regulators TRAI to expedite the process for 2100 spectrum in the 800/900/1800 MHz halts the US company’s growth MHz band pricing. “TRAI will give the bands scheduled in February 2015.” ambitions in the market, sources have recommendations of 2100 MHz first The regulator said that the key issues told Reuters. In January 2010 Liberty and later work on 2300 MHz and 2500 raised in the consultation paper relate purchased Unitymedia, which operates MHz bands,” the source said. Telecom

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 companies as well as the regulator competition has developed in the local the cornerstone of development and have been of the view that the auction telecoms market and to amend the progress for nations, describing it as should take place only when adequate regulatory framework as necessary to the “Revolution of the Times,” adding spectrum is made available, and the reflect that. ‘The SMR draft report sets that the conference establishes a bidding should be held simultaneously out TRA’s proposed directions on what culture of knowledge among the for both the services - 2G and 3G. The should be done to promote an even youth, in general, and particularly Department of Telecom is in talks with more efficient and dynamic telecoms Emirati youth, through university and the Defense Ministry for the vacation market,’ said TRA’s general director general education, as well as focusing of spectrum in 2100 MHz band and Mohammed Bubashait. ‘Through the on research and studies to enhance there are three possible scenarios outcomes of the SMR, Bahrain will and spread knowledge among the under deliberation. In case one, if no be taking significant steps towards youth and various segments of society. spectrum is released by the Defense, ensuring that market regulation is He also underscored the importance then auction can’t be conducted in in sync with the recent market and of translating information into Arabic, this band. technological developments. The TRA as part of the process of transferring continues to be a highly progressive and spreading knowledge in the market regulator, taking pioneering Arab world, which would contribute Sharon White to lead steps to foster efficient market to development in various economic, outcomes. We are now keen to consult educational and social fields. Sima Sami OFCOM the industry and other stakeholders to Bahous, Assistant Secretary-General, OFCOM on Wednesday named Sharon hear their views on TRA’s proposed Assistant Administrator and Director White as its new chief executive. The way forward,’ he added. The public of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, U.K. regulator said White, its first consultation period will run until the conveyed a message of thanks from female leader, will take up her post end of January 2015, with the final UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to in late March 2015. In the meantime, report on the SMR due for publication Sheikh Mohammed for his interest in OFCOM director Steve Unger will in Q2 2015. spreading knowledge, not only in the serve as acting CEO. White will join UAE, but also in the Arab and Islamic OFCOM from the U.K. Treasury, where nations, through encouraging people she has served as second permanent UAE: VP stresses impor- to read, search and be innovative. secretary since November 2013. She Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the is an economics graduate with 25 tance of technology World Wide Web, and Jimmy Wales, years’ experience in the public sector Vice President and Prime Minister of Wikipedia founder, lauded the and government. In her current role the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh progress in scientific and knowledge she is responsible for managing the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, fields in the country. At the end of U.K.’s public finances. “Sharon brings attended the opening session of the the event, Sheikh Ahmed honored with her an outstanding combination first Knowledge Conference, which Tim Berners-Lee and Jimmy Wales for of intellect, political acumen and is being held under his patronage, their enormous efforts in the field of experience leading complex public and organized by the Mohammed invention and spreading of knowledge organizations,” OFCOM chairman Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation through social networks. Earlier, Al Dame Patricia Hodgson said, in a (MBRF) at Grand Hyatt Dubai from Muhairi announced the names of statement. Meanwhile, White herself Sunday-Tuesday. Sheikh Mohammed winners of the $1 million Mohammed said she is looking forward to taking praised the scholars, urging them Bin Rashid Knowledge Award, which up her new post. “The communications to accomplish more technical and was presented to Tim Berners-Lee and sector is vital to the economy and knowledge-based achievements Jimmy Wales in recognition of their delivers essential services to everyone for the benefit of mankind. The efforts and contributions in the field of in the U.K.,” she said, noting that she Vice President also welcomed the spreading knowledge throughout the has “a fascinating job” ahead of her. participants to the UAE and Dubai, world. Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al White will replace Ed Richards who, stressing the importance of such Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs; after seven years at the helm of the international gatherings for those Hussain Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, U.K. regulator, will step down at the who contribute to the information and Minister of Education; Mohammed end of the year. knowledge sectors. Also in attendance Ibrahim AI Shaibani, Director-General were Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed of His Highness the Ruler’s Court, Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler Government of Dubai; Lt. General Dahi Bahraini regulator to of Dubai, and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Police and General Security in Dubai; implement market Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Lt. General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, review to improve Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. In Deputy Chairman of Police and his statement, Jamal Bin Huwaireb General Security in Dubai; a number regulatory framework Al Muhairi, Managing Director of the of heads of government departments, educational figures and more than Bahrain’s Telecommunications Mohammed Bin Rashid Foundation (MBRF), urged those attending the 1,000 experts and scientists also Regulatory Authority (TRA) has attended the conference. released a draft version of a strategic conference, the first of its kind in the market review (SMR) of the country’s Arab world, to work to connect and telecoms market started earlier empower youth and provide them this year, designed to improve the the opportunity to be innovative and industry’s regulatory framework. inventive in the knowledge field. Al The SMR’s remit is to review how Muhairi affirmed that knowledge is

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TI, Belgacom chiefs back could be exploited. Both also touched TC finalizes spectrum on regulation, saying that many OTT OTT collaboration on players are based outside of Europe base price with some privacy and are therefore subject to different riders regulations when it comes to privacy. The inter-ministerial panel, Telecom Commission, has finalized the base price for spectrum to be auctioned in February with some riders. The commission held a meeting to discuss the next round of spectrum auction, including finalization of the base price. “The commission has given approval to DoT (department of telecom)’s committee recommended reserve price with some conditions. Other matters regarding the auction were also discussed,” said a source. The committee had suggested a base price of Rs 3,646 crore a MHz for the auction of 800-MHz spectrum, used for offering CDMA services, 17 per cent higher than what the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended. The price for 900 MHz Operators must work with internet Patuano said that in Europe privacy and 1,800 MHz as recommended players to ensure that the privacy is seen as a human right, while in the by the DoT committee could not of users is adequately protected in US it is regarded a commercial right: be ascertained. The commission’s the future, according to the CEOs “It’s like playing football with feet in decision will now be placed before of Telecom Italia and Belgacom. Europe and with hands in the US,” Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Speaking in a panel session, TI CEO he noted. However, Leroy said she for final approval and, after that, the Marco Patuano said: “What we need believed that the world will move Cabinet might be approached for to understand is how to work together towards a more global approach to certain issues, the source said. The with over the tops (OTTs).” He said these issues: “I think in the end, it commission on Monday discussed the two parties must consider how will go into a global world”. Telecom the revised recommendations relevant quality of service, security regulator to go tough on operators submitted by sectoral regulator TRAI and proximity are when looking at for dues The telecom regulator on pricing of the 800, 900 and 1,800 the privacy controls for individual will go tough on some operators, MHz bands. TRAI has reiterated products. While Facebook users aren’t including two state-run firms, as they its recommendations for the 900 too concerned about privacy, due to have failed to pay around Tk 5,000 and 1,800 MHz bands, while it has the free and open nature of the social crore in dues despite reminders. increased the base price by 15 per network, privacy is critical when it The dues comprise revenue sharing cent for 800 MHz band. The DoT had comes to online banking as quality amounts and license and spectrum sent back TRAI’s recommendations of service, security and proximity are fees. Bangladesh Telecommunication on 800, 900 and 1,800 MHz bands for essential. Dominique Leroy (pictured, Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the reconsidering some points. The next right), CEO of Belgacom, agreed regulator, is now considering options round of spectrum auction is proposed that partnering with OTT players is such as cancelling their licenses or in February and the government is a requirement, but was clear about spectrums and filing cases against estimated to garner at least Rs 9,355 where responsibility lies. ”I think it’s them, an official said. A decision will crore from sale of radiowaves. Most not our mission to make sure Netflix be taken soon after consulting the of the spectrum which is proposed to is secure. What we need to make sure telecom ministry, which is the licensing be put for sale is being used by Airtel, is if people put their details in a cloud authority, BTRC Secretary Sarwar Alam Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance service that we provide, we have the said. The regulator will also sit with the Communications across various parts necessary security environment,” she operators, especially the state-owned of the country. These companies said. Both company chiefs said that ones, he said. Of the outstanding will need to buy back radiowaves to making customers aware of issues amount, the two state-run companies continue their operations in areas around privacy is an important area. -- Bangladesh Telecommunications where their licenses expire in 2015-16. Patuano suggested that bigger Company Ltd (BTCL) and Teletalk -- TRAI has also released a consultation brands have more responsibility: alone owe Tk 3,200 crore. The BTCL paper on pricing of 2,100 MHz band, “The stronger you brand, the higher has recently paid Tk 1,480 crore, and used for offering third generation (3G) your obligation. It’s not corporate still has Tk 1,600 crore in dues, which services, as the government plans to responsibility, it’s business,” he is a portion of its revenue earned from auction this band along with 800, 900 said. Leroy added that it is worth international calls and was supposed investing in staff awareness, as well to be shared with the government, as customers, as it ensures there is another BTRC official said. no weak link within the company that

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 and 1,800 MHz in February. Telecom LTE roaming services while travelling, The Department of Telecom is expected companies as well as the regulator and incoming roamers to access to notify new penalty norms within a have been of the view that the auction voice and high-speed data services month that may end the practice of should take place only when adequate on P4’s network in Poland. Last year, levying maximum penalty of Rs. 50 spectrum is made available, and the the BICS IPX platform pioneered the crore for even minor mistakes. “We are bidding should be held simultaneously first LTE roaming sessions between trying to get it notified soon...may be for both the services, 2G and 3G. European countries, and enabled the within a month,” a senior DoT official first LTE roaming sessions between said when asked about the status of Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific, as the proposed norms. Inter-ministerial Bill on tax on telecom well as between America and Asia panel Telecom Commission in March Pacific. BICS’ IPX platform currently had approved a new penalty scheme, towers and ad structures enables LTE roaming to destinations which has five slabs ranging from Rs. deferred across the world. The unrivalled 1 lakh to Rs. 50 crore, for violation of European reach offered to its Europe norms by mobile operators but are yet According to the latest market The and CIS customers stretches across 57 to be notified. Under the proposed Karnataka Legislative Assembly networks in the region making BICS the scheme of penalty, fines start with a deferred by a day a bill to levy tax on European leader in LTE Roaming. Jacek warning that invite a penalty of Rs. 1 telecom towers and advertisement Niewęgłowski, Chief Strategy Officer, lakh for minor violation of norms and structures, after the opposition P4 says: “We are excited to add superior move up, in line with severity, at Rs. 1 demanded a comprehensive LTE speed to international roaming crore, Rs. 5 crore, Rs. 20 crores and Rs. bill incorporating health and services, thanks to our cooperation 50 crore. In the wake of telecom scam, environmental hazards which such with BICS. The enthusiastic response due to apprehensions of having to installations would cause. The of our customers to the domestic LTE face allegations of favoring telecom government had tabled the Karnataka experience combined with the bundle operators, DoT officials had started Municipalities and Certain Other of services provided by BICS obliges imposing the maximum penalty of Law (Amendment) Bill 2014, which us to provide the highest quality Rs. 50 crores even for minor mistakes. empowers Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of international roaming.” Nicholas Early this month, the department was seeking to levy the tax, on December Nikrouyan, Chief Commercial Officer, pulled up by telecom tribunal TDSAT 13. BICS says: “We are delighted to be the which trashed Rs. 650 crores penalty partner of choice for P4’s LTE Roaming on Bharti Airtel and Rs. 100 crores on requirements. As the leading Signaling Vodafone in a roaming case. Airtel Poland’s P4 to Offer LTE and GRX provider in the world, BICS is claimed to have earned Rs. 8.6 lakh committed to enabling P4 in offering and Vodafone claimed to have earned Roaming Services Using the highest quality of service to their Rs. 65 lakh from the roaming service customers. Through our secure IP on which the fines were imposed. The interconnection, P4’s customers can tribunal in the judgment said: “We now enjoy the 4G/LTE experience are constrained to observe that the while roaming on networks around DoT must learn that imposition of the world.” penalty is not a means for generation of revenue and to meet the financial targets and we regret to say that such DoT to announce new orders can only be passed by someone who, safe in anonymity, feels secure penalty norms within a from any accountability.” The Telecom month Regulatory Authority of India in April

BICS’ IPX Platform BICS, a global wholesale carrier for voice, mobile data and capacity services, and P4, Poland’s fastest growing mobile carrier operating under the “Play” brand, have announced the extension of their long- term partnership with the launch of LTE roaming on P4’s network through BICS’ IPX platform. This partnership includes connectivity, messaging and roaming services. The agreement will allow P4’s customers to access 4G/

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2012 had recommended classifying ensure that their needs and desires like MediaPro, MSM Discovery, penalty in two categories - minor and are taken care of. On the other hand, Zee-Turner and IndiaCast UTV. The major. It had suggested imposition of Itanyi said operators belong to a recommendations came after TRAI a maximum penalty of up to Rs. 25 class of stakeholders in the business was flooded with complaints about lakh in case of minor violation and up of telecom regulation who expects the content aggregators in doing to Rs. 10 crores for a major violation a non- partial regulator to protect content deals with distribution their huge investment and ensure platforms particularly cable TV. Nigeria: NCC Reiterates no other entity interferes with their The most impacted by the TRAI network resources such as frequency recommendations were MediaPro, Resolve to Protect spectrum or base station. During the JV between Star DEN and Zee Telecom Consumers the interactive session, consumers Turner; the JV between IndiaCast, the expressed dismay over poor services content monetization arm of TV18 The Nigerian Communications by telecom operators especially in the and Disney UTV and Zee Turner. Commission has reiterated its area of charged drop calls, unsolicited Another major recommendation by resolve to protect consumers from text messages on promos that never TRAI was making vertical integration perceived fraudulent practices exist and other forms of under hand a possibility by allowing broadcasters of telecommunications service practices. Responding, representatives to own distribution platforms. providers. Executive Commissioner, of four telecoms service providers This came with a caveat as TRAI Stakeholders Management, NCC, namely; MTN, Airtel, Globacom and recommended that broadcasters can Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi stated this in Etiisalat, promised to look into all the own only one distribution platform Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West complaints with a view to ensuring either direct-to-home (DTH) or Local Government of Edo State at the quality services. cable. This recommendation of the 14th Edition of Consumer Town Hall TRAI came as a setback for media Meeting. Itanyi, who was represented companies like Essel Group and Sun by the Deputy Director, Consumer TRAI gave Group which have a presence in cable Affairs Bureau, Dr. Femi Atoyebi as well as DTH. In order to guard a said the program was initiated by recommendations for non-vertically distribution platform the commission for the purpose cross-media ownership, from discrimination, the authority of bringing together telecoms has disallowed vertically integrated consumers, service providers, the DTH guidelines, broadcasters to do fixed-fee deals. regulator and other stakeholders Spectrum pricing They can only do content deals based under one platform to discuss and on charge per subscriber (CPS) basis. proffer solutions to topical issues It was a busy year for Telecom The vertically integrated that are of great importance to the will have to do CPS deals development of telecommunications on non-discriminatory industry in Nigeria. According to basis. However, the him, it is the tradition of the forum regulator has provided to feature discussions and interactive for a slab system which session; where consumers ask would accommodate questions, while the service providers distribution platforms and the regulator proffer solutions to of various sizes. their inquiries and complaints.”Today, TRAI also gave its consumers of telecoms services in recommendations Nigeria are no longer the few who on reserve price for were endowed much about inability the 2G Spectrum for to afford a phone because of very the next round of high cost or that locations of business auctions, expected in or residence are not covered by any February next year. In telephone network as apart from its recommendations, very remote areas, most urban and issued on October 14, semi-urban parts of the country is the Telecom regulator covered today. “The consumers of recommended a hike of telecom products and services have around 10 per cent in many desires expected to be met. Our the price of 2G spectrum consumer wants services available in the 1800 MHz band, in at all times, affordable and of good Regulatory Authority of India in 2014 20 circles, at Rs 2,138 crore per MHz, quality. “All these, the consumer wants giving its recommendations on crucial during the next round of auctions. the operator to respond at all times issues like cross-media ownership, The regulator has also recommended when attention is needed and provide DTH licensing guidelines and platform that the DoT take a fresh look at the explanations whenever anything goes services channels besides pricing of proposed implementation of the wrong; wants to be protected at all Spectrum for the proposed auction extended GSM (E-GSM)s band. TRAI times from being taken advantage of in the 900 and 1,800 megahertz has also suggested a price of Rs 3,004 by service providers”, Itanyi stated. The bands. In its recommendations on crore per MHz for the 900 MHz band, NCC commissioner also pointed that content aggregators, TRAI disallowed in which the mobile signal covered it was in recognition of the place of bundling of channels from more than is about twice that of the 1800 MHz the consumer as king that warranted one broadcaster, causing a setback band. it to put in place special structures to for distribution joint ventures (JVs)

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A SNAPSHOT OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES IN SAMENA REGION

Afghanistan speed of 3.75G+ technology and mobile broadband. As part of our transition Board Chairman: Mr. Abdul to 3G, we also upgraded our internet WakilShergul [Afghanistan capacity into the country, and built a Telecommunication superior and fully redundant backhaul Regulatory Authority (ATRA)] transmission network in and around Kabul to support the smooth and reliable Afghan Wireless Communication flow of large volumes of data which is one Company (AWCC) has launched a 3.5G of the primary requirements of mobile Regulatory Dual Carrier HSPA+ network in Kabul, broadband. This will enable us to reliably claiming to be the first operator in deliver large volumes of high quality Updates the country to utilize the technology. data at true broadband speeds, 24×7, AWCC said in a press release that it had 365 days a year.’ AWCC is the last of the ‘completely rebuilt’ its core network in nation’s wireless providers to launch 3G Kabul, installing DC-HSPA+ technology at services, following behind early movers each of its 3G sites in the city, enabling Etisalat Afghanistan (March 2012), MTN theoretical maximum downlink speeds of Afghanistan (October 2012) and Roshan up to 42Mbps. AWCC also implemented (April 2013), whilst Salaam, the mobile IPv6 as part of its 3G rollout, making it division of fixed line incumbent Afghan the first company in Afghanistan with Telecom (Aftel) began offering 3G in an all IPv6 system, it claims. The cellco February 2014. is planning to deploy the solution in (December 15, 2014) telegeography.com Kandahar in Q1 2015, with other cities to follow in that year. AWCC’s MD Amin Afghan mobile operator Roshan has Ramin commented on the launch: ‘We selected World Telecoms Labs (WTL) to are delighted to provide these upgraded provide its voice-over-internet protocol services to our subscribers in Kabul and, (VoIP) switches to improve call quality and whether it is through improved internet reduce the cost of voice traffic between surfing, online gaming or great video its international gateway in Kabul and its viewing experiences in either SD [standard VoIP point of presence (PoP) in London. definition] or HD [high definition] format, In a press release from the vendor, WTL we are sure subscribers will quickly come explained that its VoIP switches have to understand the true meaning and high been specifically designed to replace the

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‘huge, expensive [and] maintenance-heavy switches quality of experience (QoE) for our customers as well that have traditionally been used to transfer VoIP traffic as to increase our market share in Algeria. Through this onto other networks.’ The new switches utilize Network game-changing achievement we intend to consolidate Optimization Protocol (NOP) compression techniques our technology leadership within the Maghreb region and will provide Roshan with increased capacity and and also in Algeria in order to offer to our clients best-in- greater flexibility and reliability. Further, WTL claims that class network in terms of capacity and speed.’ the solution is fully redundant. (December 2, 2014) telegeography.com (December 10, 2014) telegeography.com Bahrain Algeria Chairman: Dr. Mohammed Al Amer President: Mr. Toufik Bessai [Telecommunication Regulatory Authority [Regulatory Authority for Post & (TRA)] Telecommunication (ARPT)] Viva Bahrain is betting on rising data revenue to offset The Algerian government is reportedly reluctant to falling per-user call income, its chief executive told privatize domestic incumbent Algerie Telecom (AT), with Reuters. Wholly owned by Saudi Telecom Co (STC), Zohra Derdouri, Algeria’s Minister of Post and Information Viva launched operations in March 2010. It competes Technology and Communication, cited by domestic with former monopoly Bahrain Telecommunications Co news source Al Moudjahid as saying: ‘The opening of (Batelco) and Zain Bahrain, a unit of Kuwait’s Zain, as the capital of Algerie Telecom is not the best solution.’ well as about 10 Internet service providers. “Worldwide, The minister added: ‘One country, whatever it is, must operators are seeing a decline in ARPU (average have an operator of its own, for, inter alia, to preserve revenue per user),” Ulaiyan al-Wetaid, chief executive its security and sovereignty … I have not received any of Viva Bahrain, told Reuters via email. “Driven to some guidance in this regard. But in the case [where there is extent by falling voice revenues as well as competitors open request for AT capital], I will defend my position actions, it is a challenge all operators face. In Bahrain, until I am proven wrong.’ Plans for privatization of state- the decline in ARPU is offset by the increase in revenue owned AT have been mooted for several years but have from data.” Across Bahrain’s telecoms sector, voice calls come to nothing. In February 2009 AT chairman Foamed accounted for 64 per cent of the operators’ revenues Benhamadi claimed that opening up the company in 2013, data was 18 per cent, text messaging four per to outside investment was no longer necessary and cent and subscription payments 14 per cent, according that plans were under way to pump EUR100 million to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). (USD137.5 million) into the development of fiber-optic Operators’ per-user revenue fell by about a tenth last networks over the next five years. However, in October year, the TRA says. As a privately held company, Viva does 2013 local media reports revealed that the Conseil des not publish its accounts, but Wetaid said the company participations de l’Etat (CPE), the agency managing the was profitable and its revenue rose 15 per cent in the Algerian government’s stake in state-owned business first half of 2014 compared to the year-earlier period. entities, was planning a public sale of the shares of ten Full-year revenue in 2013 rose 21 per cent, he said, nationalized companies, including AT. Further, in April declining to provide further details. “Data now accounts 2014 it was suggested that the government was planning for a quarter of our revenues and our estimate is that to put 20% of Mobilis’ share capital up for sale on the this will only increase over the next few years,” said country’s bourse. Previously, both Orange Group of Wetaid. Unusually, 90 per cent of Bahrain’s broadband France and UK-based Vodafone have expressed interest subscriptions use mobile, with the remainder using fixed in entering the Algerian market as part of collaboration networks and Viva has invested heavily in building a with domestic operators. (December 16, 2014) telegeography.com fourth-generation (4G) network. As of the end of 2013, Bahrain had 2.21 million mobile subscriptions, according Algerian cellco Ooredoo (Nedjma) and French-US to the TRA. Batelco had 868,000 mobile subscribers at vendor Alcatel-Lucent have built a high-capacity optical that time, its annual report showed, and Zain Bahrain transport network (OTN) in order to deliver increased had 772,000, according to parent firm Zain’s filings. speed and capacity to Algeria’s main cities of Algiers, That would imply Viva Bahrain had 570,000 subscribers, Constantine and Oran and a number of smaller towns. making it the No.3 operator. (December 29, 2014) gulfbusiness.com The agile optical network, which the vendor claims is ‘Africa’s first Alcatel-Lucent 400G backbone’, will be Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has fully operational before the end of 2014. The network released a draft version of a strategic market review will be based on Alcatel-Lucent’s Dense Wave Division (SMR) of the country’s telecoms market started earlier Multiplexing (DWDM) optical transport technology using this year, designed to improve the industry’s regulatory the 1830 Photonic Service Switch platform to address framework. The SMR’s remit is to review how competition demand for high-bandwidth mobile data services such has developed in the local telecoms market and to as high-definition video streaming, next-generation amend the regulatory framework as necessary to reflect mobile broadband applications and cloud services. that. ‘The SMR draft report sets out TRA’s proposed Alcatel-Lucent is also supplying Ooredoo Algeria with directions on what should be done to promote an even its soft decision forward error correction (SD-FEC)- more efficient and dynamic telecoms market,’ said TRA’s based 100G coherent optical technology, which was general director Mohammed Bubashait. ‘Through the developed using the company’s 400G Photonic Service outcomes of the SMR, Bahrain will be taking significant Engine (PSE). Joseph Ged, CEO of Ooredoo Algeria steps towards ensuring that market regulation is in sync commented: ‘Ooredoo Algeria has the fastest growing with the recent market and technological developments. 3G network in the country and in North Africa. Our The TRA continues to be a highly progressive market 400G network will be instrumental to support the best

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 regulator, taking pioneering steps to foster efficient with GrameenPhone to settle the issue amicably.’ market outcomes. We are now keen to consult the However, CityCell also owes over BDT2.5 billion to the industry and other stakeholders to hear their views Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on TRA’s proposed way forward,’ he added. The public (BTRC) in overdue 2G license renewal fees dating back consultation period will run until the end of January 2015, to 2011, and the regulator has served ‘final’ notice on with the final report on the SMR due for publication in CityCell – the country’s only CDMA-based operator – Q2 2015. (December 18, 2014) telegeography.com with a call to clear the dues. Another Bangladeshi paper, the Financial Express, writes that CityCell may lose its operating license as the regulator is set to take ‘tough Bangladesh action’ over the non-payment. ‘We are considering Chairman: Sunil Kanti Bose taking action including cancellation of [CityCell’s] [Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory spectrum allocation, in case of its failure to comply with Commission (BTRC) the final notice that will expire on 18 December 2014,’ an anonymous BTRC official was quoted as saying, who The telecom regulator has decided to allow new underlined that the cancellation of spectrum would lead companies to build and manage towers of mobile to the termination of the operating license. Leading up operators in a bid to contain spread of such infrastructure. to the ‘final’ 15-day notice issued in early December, the As operators will share each other’s infrastructure under regulator has sent notices and reminders to CityCell – the new arrangement, their expenditure as well as power part-owned by Singapore’s SingTel – ‘at least five times’, consumption will come down. The regulator will provide according to the official. Taslim Ahmed told the Express the tower companies with licenses and a licensing that the company is working with the regulator to settle guideline will be prepared, said Sarwar Alam, secretary the issue, claiming: ‘We are sincere about paying the and spokesperson of Bangladesh Telecommunication dues. However, it will take time,’ and adding that the Regulatory Commission. The licensing will begin once financially-struggling company is ‘hopeful’ of settling the telecom ministry gives a go-ahead to the guideline, the issue within the stipulated time. he said, adding: “The existing infrastructure guideline (December 15, 2014) The Daily Star will also be amended.” As mobile operators now set up towers separately, the number of such structures The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory is high and will go up further in future, resulting in a Commission (BTRC) plans to auction unused spectrum rise in radio-frequency radiation emitted by antennas, in the 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands to existing mobile according to a BTRC report. The bigger the number of operators by March next year to help improve voice the towers, the higher is electricity and land consumption and data services, as discussed in a meeting between that leads to increased investment and operational the watchdog and the cellcos this week. A BTRC official expenditure, it said. Six mobile operators have 26,446 confirmed that the frequencies up for grabs comprise towers -- Grameenphone has 8,845, Banglalink 5,120, 2×10.6MHz in the 1800MHz band and 2×15MHz in the Robi 6,592, Airtel 3,734, Teletalk 1,275 and Citycell 880, 2100MHz range. Wireless market leader GrameenPhone according to the report. However, Banglalink and Airtel and state-owned Teletalk operate 3G W-CDMA/HSPA+ said the number of their towers is higher than the BTRC services over 2×10MHz of 2100MHz bandwidth each, figures. Dhaka alone has 9,552 towers, while the rest while rivals Robi, Banglalink and Airtel all operate 3G are spread across the country. The BTRC said developed with just 2×5MHz of 2100MHz spectrum each under countries encourage their operators to share common 3G/4G licenses auctioned in September 2013. The private towers rather than setting up them separately. Currently cellcos’ existing 1800MHz GSM licenses do not permit Bangladeshi operators, under infrastructure-sharing 4G services. The regulator had earlier planned to release agreements between them, can share their passive the 700MHz band next year for 4G LTE technology, but infrastructure that includes non-telecom equipment such has backtracked on this proposal as it considers the as towers, buildings, batteries, electricity, and cooling Bangladeshi market is not yet ready for 4G; operators systems. But operators in developed countries can share have lobbied for permission to launch 1800MHz LTE their base stations and switches with each other. Earlier in services, but this is not yet forthcoming. February, mobile operator Robi had sought an approval (December 3, 2014) The Daily Star to transfer 80 percent of its network infrastructure assets to Edotco Group, a fully owned subsidiary of Malaysian The telecom regulator plans to allocate unused Axiata Group that manages telecom towers. But the spectrum in the 1,800 and 2,100 megahertz bands to telecom regulator had approved transferring 49 percent existing mobile operators by March next year, which of Robi’s network infrastructure shares to Edotco, both will help them deliver better voice and data services. of which are subsidiaries of Axiata. Airtel Bangladesh has Bangladesh has 10.6 MHz unused or unsold bandwidth also formed a tower infrastructure company. A Reuters in the first band and 15 MHz bandwidth in the second, report last month said Bharti Airtel Ltd would sell more a BTRC official said. The country crossed the 11 crore than 4,800 mobile phone masts in Nigeria to American mobile subscriber mark, but the quality of services has Tower Corp for $1.05 billion. (December 22, 2014) thedailystar.net dropped due to inadequate spectrum. The regulator had earlier planned to release the 700 MHz band next The mobile market leader GrameenPhone has served year for 4G technology, but later backtracked as the notice on the country’s smallest cellco CityCell environment was not yet ready for 4G. Bangladesh demanding payment of an outstanding amount of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and top BDT101.6 million (US$1.31 million) in two weeks, officials of the mobile operators discussed the issue including interconnection charges outstanding since in a meeting. The regulator will send guidelines to the October 2011 plus 15% interest. Taslim Ahmed, head telecom ministry next week for feedback, especially the of corporate affairs of CityCell, said the company had process of selling the spectrum and prices. The operators received the notice and was ‘in the process of discussion have long been requesting the government for the 1,800

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MHz band for 4G (long term evolution), which provides of 5% by year-end. With regards to MTN’s 3G network, far greater data speed than 3G and is globally used for the executive revealed that the company currently has 2G, 3G and 4G technologies to provide both voice and a 3G presence in 75 cities across all 31 provinces; going data services, but the regulator will approve that only forward, the cellco is planning to increase the number of after selling the 700 MHz spectrum. Bangladeshi mobile locations covered by 170% by March 2015. MTN Irancell operators are allowed to use the allocated 1,800 MHz launched the country’s first 4G LTE network in the city of spectrum only for 2G services, while the 2,100 MHz band Mashhad in November 2014. At launch, 4G services were for 3G and 4G. (December 1, 2014) thedailystar.net made available via dongles, with very few LTE-enabled handsets available in Iran. Irancell’s CEO said that 4G users can expect real-world download speeds ranging Egypt from 10Mbps to 40Mbps upload speeds from 1Mbps Executive President: Eng. Hesham El Alaily to 15Mbps, and latency from 50 to 150 milliseconds. [National Telecommunication Regulatory (December 5, 2014) telegeography.com Authority (NTRA)]

A unified price plan was agreed upon between all four Jordan Chairman of the Board of Commissioners/ mobile operator companies, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone, CEO: Mobinil, and Etisalat, Executive President of the National Mr. Mohammad Al Taani Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), [Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Hesham El-Alaily, stated. In a statement to Daily News (TRC)] Egypt, El-Alaily said the agreement included unifying the prices, through which Telecom Egypt obtains Mobile penetration reached 147% in Jordan at the services from the three mobile operator companies. end of September, compared to 146% three months Each is according to the area agreed upon, provided earlier and 143% at end-March 2014, according to the that Telecom Egypt re-sells it to the people as a default most recent statistics published by sector regulator the operator. Through activating the unified license, Telecom Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). The Egypt offers mobile services as a default operator. It will number of mobile users expanded to 11.00 million from buy wholesale minutes from all three mobile operators 10.69 million in the previous quarter, with pre-paid users and then re-sell them to the people in return for paying increasing from 9.90 million to 10.17 million over that the government’s license of EGP 2.5bn. Mobile operator period. Mobile broadband subscriptions meanwhile companies have the right to be given a license for reached 1.3 million from 1.21 million and 1.13 million fixed phone services in return for paying EGP 100m. in the preceding two quarters. Elsewhere, the TRC notes According to El-Alaily, no company was forced to that there were some 5.6 million Jordanians, or 74% of sign this agreement, denying the rumor regarding the population, using internet services in Q3 compared Telecom Egypt’s request to the NTRA to permit all three to 5.4 million (73%) in Q2 2014. Broadband subscriptions mobile operators to offer prices to all geographical totaled 344,738 at end-September, including 211,732 locations so that Telecom Egypt can choose the best of ADSL (207,713 in Q2), 125,481 WiMAX (125,909) and them, instead of choosing the best operator for each 6,000 cable (6,069). (December 16, 2014) telegeography.com location. Vodafone will offer services to Telecom Egypt in Alexandria and the Delta region, Mobinil will serve Cairo, and Etisalat will serve the rest of the governorates. Lebanon Acting Chairman & CEO: Dr. Imad Hoballah The cabinet previously approved the initial plan of [Telecommunication Regulatory Authority the unified license and discussed the plan once again (TRA)] with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in order to implement it. Meanwhile, NTRA is Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb vowed holding intense meetings with the four mobile operator to exert more efforts to improve the telecom sector companies in order to resolve all problematic areas prior by implementing law 431 issued in 2002, which calls to implementing the “unified license”. for the privatization of the sector and the creation of (December 29, 2014) menafn.com Liban Telecom. “The only way to improve the telecom performance in Lebanon is by implementing law Iran 431, which will regulate the sector and free it from Minister of Communication & Information administrative routines,” said Harb in his speech during Technology: the DGTL#U conference. Organized by Al-Iktissad-Wal- Mr. Mahmoud Vaezi Aamal group, DGTL#U aims at discussing the future [Communication regulatory Commission of electronic payments in the digital economy era, in (CRC)] addition to highlighting the importance of the adoption of digital technologies by the banking sector. Harb said MTN Irancell has expanded its Long Term Evolution the ministry was in the final stage of preparing the terms (LTE) network to cover 50% of the population, following and conditions for the implementation of law 431 and the introduction of 4G connectivity in eight additional the creation of Liban Telecom, which would enhance the cities, namely Uromiyeh, Babol, Tabriz, Tehran, Qom, performance of the telecom sector. Law 431 stipulates Karaj, Mashhad and Hamedan. CEO Alireza Ghalambor the establishment of Liban Telecom, through merging the Dezfouli disclosed that the company will offer 4G services operations of Ogero (a government-owned contractor) in all provincial centers across the country by the end of and two directorates of the Telecommunications the year. Under the terms and conditions of its license Ministry. According to Law 431, Liban Telecom would agreement, the operator is required to provide minimum be an integrated telecoms operator providing services geographical coverage of 10% and population coverage that include fixed and mobile telephony, local and

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 international communication, voice and data access, pay equipment in its existing cabinets, install multi-operator phones, emergency call services, and dial-up and printed cabinets for part of their future nodes and establish an directory information services. Harb said that previous active wholesale offer for third-party operators under a telecom ministers had deliberately prevented the virtual unbundled local access (VULA) model. Although implementation of this law because it limited their power the incumbent telco was initially required to provide a and gave more authority to the Telecommunications technical and tariff wholesale offer for passive access to Regulatory Authority over the telecoms sector. The its fixed local loop by August 1, it was accused of failing ministry is keen on introducing reforms that will allow to publish wholesale offers that cover shared cabinet the telecom sector to keep up with worldwide changes access, full and partial unbundling and bitstream access in the field. “A few months ago, the ministry successfully on several occasions. (December 18, 2014) telegeography.com launched a service that allows customers to pay their fixed phone bills electronically and though credit cards Nepal in cooperation with one of the Lebanese banks,” he said. Acting Chairman: Mr. AnandaRaj Khanal “The success of this step reflects the need within the [Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTR)] Lebanese market for such services.” Wassim Mansour, general manager of touch Lebanon, said that touch’s parent company Zain had signed an agreement with Out of every 100 inhabitants of the country, 15 are yet eServGlobal, a company specializing in mobile money to own a mobile phone. Nepal Telecommunications solutions, to offer customers a complete mobile money Authority (NTA)’s Management Information System platform, providing services such as electronic top-up, (MIS) states that the country’s mobile service penetration mobile wallets, mobile banking, online payments, salary rate touched 85.58 per cent by the first quarter (mid- disbursements, peer-to-peer money transfer, airtime July to mid-October) of the current fiscal year. This top-up and bill payment. “Zain is aware that the business means of the total population 26.49 million (according model is changing and that it is of the utmost importance to National Census 2011) in the country, 22.67 million to be innovative in offering new services to clients,” he people have subscribed for mobile phone service, the said. Meanwhile, Maya Younes, head of marketing group major voice telephony service. NTA officials said that at BLC Bank, told The Daily Star on the sidelines of the the penetration rate is set based on the information conference that mobile payments would pick up in the provided by the telecom companies regarding their user years to come. However, she added, new regulations base. With heavy contribution of mobile segment, total should be passed and old regulations must be improved penetration rate of voice service has reached 95.58 per in order to allow these new services to succeed in the cent in the review period. “As majority of customers have market. “Banks’ prepaid cards, for instance, can be given already subscribed to the service, telecom companies’ to people who are aged 18 years or under, while one of new users intake has also slowed down,” the official said. the conditions for using mobile payments is that they Telecom companies have attracted 622,422 customers cannot be accessed by those who are under 18 years to buy their mobile service in the first quarter of this old,” she said. BLC has recently created HEY, a new fiscal. In the same period of the last fiscal year2013- application that can be downloaded on the smartphone 14, a total of 658,521 new subscribers were added by and that allows customers to pay anytime and anywhere the operators. As per the MIS report, Ncell boasts of in seconds. Younes said that incentives must be given to 12.06 million mobile subscribers, while the state-owned consumers to encourage them to use these new services. Nepal Telecom (NT) has 10.06 million subscribers for “These new services should be able to solve a problem its GSM and CDMA mobile services. Even as there is for them to be attractive to clients,” she said. “Only then rise in penetration rate in the mobile service segment, will they be used by all customers.” (December 8, 2014) zawya.com there is decline in customers using landline phones. As a result, the penetration rate of fixed phone came down to 3.14 per cent from 3.20 per cent in the same period Morocco of last fiscal year. According to the MIS, penetration of Director General: M. Azdine El fixed lines went down because of decline in user base MountassirBillah of United Telecom Limited (UTL), STM Telecom Sanchar [Agence Nationale de Reglementation des Telecommunications (ANRT)] and Nepal Satellite Telecom. NTA records show that there are 834,137 landline users. UTL’s subscribers in Telecoms regulator ANRT, has published its decision fixed phone category went down by over 25,000 users, ANRT/DG/No.14, which establishes the technical while STM Telecom that has been providing the service requirements and tariffs for passive access to Maroc in VSAT-based technology witnessed fall by 43 per Telecom’s (IAM’s) fixed local loop. The new document cent in its user base to 2,940 users over the past one comprises eight articles and lifts all restrictions on year. Meanwhile, the data penetration rate has reached accessing the physical components of the wired local 35.28 per cent, with total subscriber base standing at loop, which the incumbent operator has established in 9.34 million. Of the total internet users, 8.89 million order to limit the use of its equipment by competitors. customers have subscribed to mobile data services, The ANRT gave the former monopoly operator a deadline including GPRS, EDGE and 3G. Remaining are the users of December 31 to provide an updated wholesale of dial-up, optical fiber, cable modem, WiMAX and offer ‘integrating all requests for amendments and EVDO. In data service, NT has covered the major market improvements requested by the ANRT’ to rival operators share of 54 per cent, followed by Ncell at 44 per cent. Meditel and Inwi. In June 2014 the ANRT published UTL and internet service providers share the remaining the rules governing local loop unbundling (LLU) in two per cent market share with combined 165,474 users. Morocco. Under the new regulations, Maroc Telecom is (December 23, 2014) thehimalayantimes.com required to provide colocation for third-party operators’

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Oman of its services were quite delayed compared with different Executive President: Dr. Hamed Al-Rawahi market players. Mobilink having biggest subscriber base [Telecommunication Regulatory Authority in 2.5G users is standing at second position with 1.443 (TRA)] million users. Telenor had 1.182 million 3G users at the end of reported period. Ufone stood last with its 646,949 Ooredoo Oman (formerly known as Nawras) has 3G customers. Mobilink claims to provide 3G services in introduced a new service, IP Virtual Private Network (IP 24 cities whereas Telenor claims have stretched its 3G VPN), which offers MPLS-based multi-point connectivity footprint in in 55 cities so far. The growth of subscribers within the Sultanate. The firm says that businesses will reflects the penetration of operators in different cities now be able to exchange business communication and however the experience and utility of services could not application data between different users and nodes be determined by these numbers. Zong that launched across multiple locations over its secured, reliable 4G service in the end of September this year witnessed and redundant next generation network. Ooredoo’s slower addition in 4G users, which stood at just 1,452 at infrastructure covers all strategic business locations the end of November 2014. It is obvious that 4G is the within Oman and extends internationally through its latest technology in the country but the adaptation is global MPLS network. Said Al Shanfari, director of limited on the network of Zong. Warid Telecom launched Business Marketing commented: ‘Ooredoo’s MPLS its 4G LTE service a few days back and it sets to compete connectivity allows businesses to stay connected with with Zong in 4G market with slightly lesser competition a secure and reliable network. Plus, the service is fully as compared with 3G market. With extremely low number managed 24 hours a day by Ooredoo to give peace of for 4G subscribers on Zong, Warid has an opportunity to mind and allow customers to focus on their business speed up its network up-gradation to become Number while leaving the technology to us.’ One operator in 4G sector in Pakistan. On the other (December 3, 2014) telegeography.com hand, Zong is also working on 4G network deployment to grab the maximum subscribers in the specific high- end market. (December29, 2014) propakistani.pk Pakistan Chairman: Dr. Syed Ismail Shah [Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)] Qatar Executive Director: Mr. Graeme Gordon [Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA)]

The five major telcos in Pakistan: Mobilink, Telenor, Zong, Warid and Ufone have collectively deactivated more Ooredoo Qatar reached the milestone of 200,000 than 14 million SIMs till December 2014. The effort has customers connected to its fiber broadband network gathered momentum after the attacks in Peshawar. As we on 13 December, it announced in a press release covered before, telcos came under fire for the prevalence yesterday, having launched the high speed triple-play of unauthorized SIMs and the threat they posed. 5 SIMs connectivity service nearly three years ago. Ooredoo were used in the terrorist attack in Peshawar and a lot of added that around 9,000 homes a month are currently blame was thrown towards the telcos for the incident. being connected to Ooredoo Fiber, supporting To stop anything like that from happening ever again, 100Mbps broadband speeds, voice telephony and IPTV the cellular operators and governments officials have (‘Mozaic TV’), while the lion’s share of its existing fixed been in regular meetings, whose purpose is to draft a broadband customers have now been transferred from plan which would include a provision to deactivate a ADSL connections. Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani, SIM after a set inactive period. Right now, the telcos are CEO, Ooredoo Qatar, said: ‘As our community prepares deactivating any SIM that has been dormant for more to celebrate Qatar National Day together, I am proud than 90 days. According to a PTA official previously, the that Ooredoo has lived up to its promise to connect Interior Ministry of Pakistan asked the telecom operators people to the fastest-available fiber network.’ Ooredoo’s to re-verify their respective user-bases in 28 days, which fiber investment will continue throughout 2015, while caused outrage, with one source describing the request the full-service operator is also planning a significant as “not feasible”. (December 30, 2014) propakistani.pk infrastructure investment and capacity-building program in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Mobile phone companies in Pakistan have continued to Qatar. (December 17, 2014) telegeography.com show growth for their 3G subscriptions, which surged to 4.962 million at the end of November 2014. Meaning ictQATAR has announced the beta version of Qatar’s that 5 million benchmark would have been achieved ICT Observatory, a central platform of ICT-related by the sector as of today. It is said to be an impressive data and statistics on Qatar accessible to businesses, number with-in first six months of the launch of 3G entrepreneurs, researchers, decision- and policy-makers, services in the country. With Zong topping the chart, 3G government entities and the public. The ICT Observatory users increased for all four operators of cellular phone is part of a government-wide effort to “open up” more industry. According to details made available by Pakistan data to the public to further increase government Telecommunication Authority (PTA), a total of 1.20 million transparency and accountability. The observatory is a users were added to 3G network in November 2014, trusted source of information on Qatar’s ICT landscape, whereas the numbers for 4G users stood below 1,500 supports important policy-making and evaluation subscriptions because of limited coverage being offered activities, reduces research and data investments among by Zong, the only 4G till previous month. Zong managed enterprises and other organizations, and promotes to grab its top position in 3G market with subscribers’ discussion on ICT-related topics. Launched following the number reaching 1.688 million at the end of November release of Qatar’s Open Data Policy, the ICT Observatory 2014. The outstanding growth of Zong 3G subscribers allows users to view and analyze data from a variety depicted its aggressive sales strategy though the launch

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 of sources, including specialized surveys on ICT usage services. Waleed Al-Sayed, COO, Ooredoo Qatar, said: and penetration of households, individuals, business ‘The demand for higher network capacity and speed in and government dating back to 2008; licensed telecom malls, stadiums and at national events is growing at a operators; international reports; and aggregated data rapid pace. With Nokia Networks’ help, we are now able from other government entities in Qatar, informing to address this demand, offering the fastest network users about the continuous developments taking place with latest technology for our customers.’ in Qatar’s ICT landscape. “These initiatives will help (December 3, 2014) telegeography.com spur innovation and support researchers in Qatar and around the globe,” said HE the Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr Hessa al-Jaber. Saudi Arabia “These efforts are critical to advancing a knowledge- Governor: Eng. Abdullah A. Al Darrab based economy in Qatar.” Qatar’s ICT Observatory [Communication & Information Technology has a number of functionalities that allow for useful Commission (CITC)] and quick access to ICT data across various topics, including viewing indicators; generating, browsing and Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has announced that it downloading analytical reports and data; creating and expects to book a SAR621 million (US$166 million) gain reviewing charts and tables; refining and customizing in Q4 2014 due to transfer of some of its land holdings queries; and creating customized reports for further to the government. Previously, in June, the company said analysis. The observatory uses data visualization tools that the state had seized a 1.05 million square-meter to help users explore and analyze the data. In-memory plot in the Al Faisaliah district of Riyadh, with a book technology enables quick dissection of the data and value of SAR105.3 million. Earlier this week, the operator creation of interactive reports through web and mobile confirmed that the government had begun transferring devices. The advanced analytics and data visualization ownership of the land in exchange for compensation capabilities will help users better understand Qatar’s ICT of SAR726.3 million. However, the telco added that it landscape. The final portal will be released in March 2015 did not consider the compensation amount to be fair, and the Arabic version by the end of 2015. The content and disclosed that it would appeal the decision. Some of the portal will be licensed under a Creative Commons estimates suggest that the land appropriated from STC attribution to ensure fair and optimal usage. QNREN, could be worth between SAR.36 billion and SAR2.83 an independent high-speed network, will allow any billion. (December 24, 2014) reuters.com educational institution (universities, colleges, schools) and research institutions within Qatar to exchange data Lebara this week became the second service provider and services. It also provides international connectivity to launch MVNO services in Saudi Arabia. The London- with universities and research institutions worldwide. based company, which targets migrants with SIM- QNREN was initiated by Qatar University (QU) and only price plans and low-cost international calling is sponsored by ictQATAR. QNREN has a dedicated packages, has begun offering prepaid services via host dark fiber backbone, provided by the Qatar National network Mobily as part of a consortium that includes Broadband Network (Qnbn), and is capable of 100Gbps an unspecified number of Saudi investors. “Offering with possibility of upgrade. Qnbn will provide also the high quality and low cost mobile products to migrant fiber connectivity to all existing and future members of communities is the driving force of our business. With the network and QU will host the QNREN operation. The today’s launch we’ll be able to offer this service to the first entities to connect to QNREN are QU and College of millions of expats living and working in Saudi Arabia, the North Atlantic. The beta version of the Observatory helping them stay connected to their friends and family is available at www.ictobservatory.qa at home,” said Lebara CEO Yoganathan Ratheesan, in (December 8, 2014) gulf-times.com a statement on Monday. Lebara puts the number of expatriates living in Saudi Arabia at approximately 10 Ooredoo Qatar has launched the country’s first million. It has become the second company to launch commercial LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) service, boosting MVNO services in Saudi Arabia after Virgin Mobile, its network’s peak mobile downlink data speeds to which went live on STC’s network in late September. 225Mbps from its previous limit of 150Mbps, the Like Virgin, it was awarded a full MVNO license by the operator announced in a press release. The ‘4G+’ services telecom regulator, the Communications and Information are initially available in parts of Doha – Corniche, West Technology Commission (CITC) in March and originally Bay lagoon, Katara, Souq Waqif, Al Rayyan, Shahaniya aimed to go live in the second quarter. A third license was and Sealine – from December 1 at no added cost for issued to Dubai-based phone retailer Axiom. However, users with devices supporting LTE-A on either 800MHz its license was withdrawn and retendered before it could or 2600MHz frequency bands. Ooredoo’s sole LTE radio launch on host network Zain because it failed to submit and core network technology provider Nokia Networks unspecified documents to the CITC. issued its own press release highlighting the project’s (December 16, 2014) totaltele.com technical advancements, noting that carrier aggregation (CA), a key feature of LTE-A, enables operators to Saudi Arabian telcos Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) and Zain create larger, virtual carrier bandwidths for services by Saudi Arabia, who have been embroiled in a payment combining separate spectrum bands, thus boosting dispute since last week, have proceeded to the next network capacity and speed as well as performance. For stage of the arbitration process. According to a the Qatari launch, Nokia provided its ‘Flexi Multiradio press release published on the Saudi Stock Exchange 10’ base stations, Evolved Packet Core technology and (Tadawul) website, the two operators have selected their NetAct network management system; it combined the respective arbitrators, which in turn have appointed an 800MHz and 2600MHz spectrum bands by upgrading umpire. At the first hearing, scheduled to take place on the currently installed equipment with its CA software; December 13, 2014, the arbitration panel will determine while the vendor also provided network planning the procedures and duration of the arbitration process;

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 further, Mobily will present its demands and supporting CodeGen, Hayleys BPO, 99X Technology well as top two documentation, while Zain Saudi will submit its public sector agencies ICTA and EDB. Co-organizers of jurisdictional and substantive defenses. Mobily requested the Forum were EDB and ICTA. “Sri Lanka’s IT and BPM a referral to arbitration with regards to receivables due sector vision 2022 is $5b revenue, 200,000 direct jobs under an agreement signed with rival Zain Saudi on 6 and 1000 start-ups. Northern region has been identified May 2008. Mobily disclosed that by 30 November 2013, as one of the major regions that can harness its strengths Zain owed it SAR2.2 billion (USD586.3 million) for the and skills to make this dream a reality,” said EDB Director provision of national roaming, site sharing, transmission Maldeni. SLASSCOM Vice Chairman Mano Sekaram said, links and international traffic; the company said that it “Just five years ago, such an event was merely a pipe could not reach an amicable settlement with its rival dream. Today however peace and prosperity is finally the for the amount due, so its management decided to reality we are living in and events like this are not only revert back to arbitration. For its part, Zain Saudi has possibility but happening as we speak. We kicked off the deemed Mobily’s claims as ‘unfounded’, with Hassan Jaffna IT week two days ago at Vembadi School ,where Kabbani, Zain Saudi’s chief executive, cited as saying: we shared with the schoolchildren who are the future ‘We have been asking Mobily to provide documentation leaders of our country of the career prospects in IT and that could justify this claim and so far they have failed BPM –this was a successful 2 days in which we had over to do so – these claims are not valid … It is something 2000 children and youth taking part. Sri Lanka’s IT and very serious – there is no way this amount is feasible or BPM sector has taken less than 15 years to become the reasonable.’ (December 10, 2014) telegeography.com country’s fifth largest exporter. In 2013, export revenue grew to an estimated $ 719mn, employing 80000 with Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) has requested a referral to 220 firms engaged in it. We have an ambitious vision-our arbitration with regards to receivables due under a 2022 vision of the industry is to be a $5 billion industry Roaming Service Agreement signed with rival Zain Saudi creating 200,000 jobs. Part of our strategy is to build on May 6, 2008. Mobily disclosed that by November 30, regional ICT capacity creating 2 tier cities and fostering 2013, Zain owed it SAR2.2 billion (US$586.15 million) entrepreneurship to ignite start-ups. Today, the Western for the provision of national roaming, site sharing, Province contributes over 95% of IT and BPM exports. The transmission links and international traffic. The company creation of ‘Second Tier Cities’ –Kandy, Galle and Jaffna- said that it could not reach an amicable settlement will IT empower the regions and would see a paradigm with its rival for the amount due, so its management shift from being Colombo-centric to regional-centric IT decided to revert back to arbitration, in accordance development. Furthermore, it has been identified that with the Arbitration Rules and Regulations outlined the proliferation of ICT in provincial regions is the fastest in the Service Agreement. The cellco also said that it way of developing marginalized areas. Let me thank all has already provided a total of SAR1.1 billion against the my industry friends , industry leaders and CEO, EDB total receivables due from Zain as of October 30, 2014. officials, ICTA colleagues and our sponsors for working Mobily said the aforementioned agreement is still valid, tirelessly to put together this even and coming all the although it highlighted that it is’ receiving irregular way to Jaffna.” Reshan Devapura (CEO-ICT Agency Sri payments for its services’. According to Mobily, both Lanka), said: “Previously we expected to break $ 1billion parties have selected their respective arbitrators and the mark in IT revenue by 2016 or later but now, with latest appointment of an umpire is currently underway. revenue projections coming in, we are expecting to hit (December 2, 2014) telegeography.com $ one billion revenue by 2015 with 100,000 IT sector employment in 2015.” (December 8, 2014) dailynews.lk

Sri Lanka Etisalat’s Sri Lankan unit is expanding its 2G and 3G Director General: Mr. Anusha Palpita network coverage via the deployment of 200 base [Telecommunication Regulatory Commission stations in 100 days, across eight districts in the country. (TRC)] The project is planned for completion by the end of January 2015 and is part of the cellco’s coverage and Sri Lanka’s surging IT and BPO exports would hit the critical capacity expansion program. Middle Eastern-backed dollar one billion mark as early as next year, surpassing Etisalat is the third placed mobile operator in Sri Lanka previous expectations. The London Stock Exchange and with 20.3% of the country’s subscribers at June 30, 2014, HSBC have praised the Lankan IT sector ‘with joy’, as while at the same date its 3G coverage extended to revealed in Jaffna last Friday. “We earned $719m from approximately 70% of the island’s population. ICT exports, and our projection for 2014 is $820m. At (December 3, 2014) telegeography.com this rate, we expect to hit the one billion dollar mark very soon-as early as 2015. We have seen 123% growth in IT sector over the last five years. London Stock Exchange Tunisia President: Mr. Hassoumi Zitoune and HSBC also praised the Lankan IT sector with joy,” [National Telecommunication Commission (IN said Saman Maldeni (Director, Export Services of SLEDB) TT)] in Jaffna addressing the IT and BPM Export Forum and Entrepreneurship workshop held in Jaffna at Jaffna’s Tilko The state-backed fixed line incumbent Tunisie Telecom City Hotel. The first such Forum to be held in Northern (TT) has increased its international bandwidth by Province brought 30 ICT operators and 30 would be 10Gbps, to cope with the increased demand for data young entrepreneurs and start-ups and seven leading from 3G services. According to THD, the increase boosts Lankan IT BPM CEOs. Held on the theme of “Accelerating the nation’s total international capacity to 100Gbps. IT Exports and Fostering Entrepreneurship”, the one day, (December 1, 2014) Tunisie Haut Debit (THD) one-of-a-kind session consisted of presentations from seven Lankan IT firms – Virtusa, Stax Inc, WSO2, Calcey,

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Turkey The workshop comes in line with the efforts of the TRA to shift towards a mobile government in order to Chairman & CEO: Dr. Tayfun Acarer enhance and improve the nation’s ICT sector. The UAE [Information & Communication Technologies mGovernment team had been working hard to develop Authority (BTK)] and re-launch the UAEPedia website to enable a greater degree of interaction with the public. The UAEPedia app Members of the Council of Ministers and top military is available in the official UAE mGovernment app store. officials will get new anti-wiretapping phones before “UAEPedia represents a national platform for information the end of the year, Industry Minister Fikri Işık said, concerning our homeland: its history, heritage and while arguing that the “parallel structure” - a phrase cultural and political figures, while housing countless used to describe the Gülenist movement - was deeply informational channels. We have developed this rooted in the strategic boards of the country’s top encyclopedia to promote patriotism towards our nation science body. “The parallel structure was entrenched and its leadership,” said H. E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, in strategic positions at TÜBİTAK [The Scientific and Director General, UAE mGovernment. “The project is Technological Research Council of Turkey], such as the based on the principle of sharing, which will flourish with crypto department. They were not in the science or the efforts of many other entities with whom we will be education departments. They performed wiretapping in working in the near future. Hence, I would like to thank military project fields. If you’re not an organization, then all the participants in this workshop in advance and why are you at the crypto department?” Işık said to a invite them to actively contribute information to enrich small group of journalists on December 23, indicating the encyclopedia with their knowledge,” he added. that the government was fair when it labeled the Gülen Stressing the importance of preserving the Arabic movement under U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah language and making information available online in Gülen a criminal organization aimed at toppling the Arabic, Al Mansoori said, “The UAEPedia comes in line elected ruling party. Earlier this week the Minister for with our ongoing efforts to support Arabic content and Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications the creation of an electronic record that conveys the Lütfi Elvan announced that they plan to move the TİB UAE’s message to the world. Each contributor would headquarters because operations at the headquarters have a responsibility with regard to their role in building before the start of a large graft probe last December the UAEPedia and to ensure constant flow of accurate were unknown to the government. The government and information about our beloved nation.” The workshop Erdoğan, who was the prime minister at the time, have included the screening of a short video about the accused the Gülen movement of organizing a plot, thanks UAEPedia application and an introduction to the new to a graft probe that began on December 17, 2013. version of the encyclopedia. It also included a session Wiretappings, which include alleged voice recordings to address the participants’ queries relating to the of Erdoğan and his family members, along with some encyclopedia. (December 29, 2014) .zawya.com Cabinet members and a number of businesspeople, were leaked online simultaneously with the probe last year. (December 31, 2014) hurriyetdailynews.com

Turkcell has announced the integration of 3-Carrier (3C-HSDPA) technology to its 3G network. With this integration, Turkcell becomes the first mobile operator globally to have introduced the world’s fastest 3G technology. The development follows the world’s first live trial of 3-Carrier technology, in which download speeds of up to 63.3 Mbps were achieved on the Turkcell network. Six months later, 3-Carrier is fully integrated into Turkcell’s 3G network in 81 Turkish cities. The network update also includes the integration of dual carrier upload technology (DC-HSUPA), through which users can experience up to 11.5 Mbps upload speeds in 3G - twice the current offering. (December 26, 2014) businesswire.com

United Arab Emirates Director General: Mr. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim [Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA)] The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) launched the new UAEPedia website and smart device application at a workshop at its Dubai office. Several representatives from federal and local government entities had gathered to participate in the workshop.

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REGULATORY ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE SAMENA REGION

Argentina Following the recent confirmation of the 3G and 4G spectrum bands Argentina’s Chamber of issued to Claro Argentina and Telecom Deputies, the lower house Argentina (Personal), the Secretaria de of the National Congress, Comunicaciones (SeCom) has confirmed has approved a new that Telefonica Moviles (Movistar) has telecommunications law, replacing the been awarded Long Term Evolution (LTE) existing legislation that dates back to 1972. frequencies in the 1710MHz-1720MHz The legislators voted 131 in favor and 97 and 2110MHz-2120MHz bands. All against the ‘Digital Argentina’ bill, which spectrum is available on a nationwide Regulatory will allow companies to provide bundled basis. Personal was handed a national telephone, internet and cable television 4G license encompassing 1730MHz- Updates services. It also creates the Autoridad 1745MHz and 2130MHz-2145MHz de Aplicacion de las Tecnologias de la spectrum, while Claro was issued with Informacion y las Comunicaciones (AFTIC), a national LTE license comprising a new seven-member body responsible 1720MHz-1730MHz and 2120MHz- for controlling and regulating all ICT- 2130MHz frequencies. The spectrum related matters. ‘Telecommunications awarded to the fourth and final bidder, should be a human right,’ said Mario media conglomerate Arlink (Grupo Uno), Oporto, president of the communications has yet to be confirmed by the regulator. committee, adding: ‘Information and (December 3, 2014) telegeography.com communications technologies should work in the public interest.’ Critics argue that the new bill, which still needs to be Australia signed by President Cristina Fernandez to be enacted, will benefit market leaders Australia’s Optus has rather than increasing competition. extended its 4G coverage ‘Instead of defending the interests of in the Australian Capital users … this is a measure designed to Territory (ACT) on the back secure and expand the business interests of receiving early access commercial of the telecoms companies, further license approval for 700MHz spectrum cementing their dominant positions,’ from the Australian Communications and argued opposition legislator Roy Cortina Media Authority (ACMA). In announcing of the Socialist Party. the development the operator noted (December 18, 2014) reuters.com that the concession had ‘paved the way for [it] to expand and upgrade its existing

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 superfast 4G network across Canberra with 700MHz service on the latest Smartphones, tablets and mobile spectrum, bringing 4G to more places and improving devices and to encourage sustained competition’. In the data experience indoors’. With Optus’ 4G services addition, the government said it will seek views on in Canberra having previously been offered using plans to make spectrum in the 600MHz band available spectrum in the 2300MHz band only, more than 20 for mobile use, and plans to provide a path for mobile LTE-700 sites are now reportedly up and running across use in the 3500MHz frequency band, while maintaining Canberra, with the cellco saying it has ‘further plans existing fixed-wireless internet services in rural areas. to continue expanding 4G coverage in Canberra using Further, the state intends to develop a plan to enable 700MHz’. Earlier this month, Optus confirmed that the use of the AWS-4 spectrum band (2000MHz-2020MHz ACMA had granted it early access license approvals and 2180MHz-2200MHz) in order to enable the launch for LTE in the 700MHz band in 200 regional locations, of a new operator, with a view to increasing ‘[the] choice in line with which it coverage across greater Darwin to Canadians, especially those in rural and remote using such spectrum, while it also has other live sites areas’. Rounding out the plans, Industry Canada said offering LTE via the aforementioned band in locations an additional 2100MHz of spectrum will be made including: Toowoomba, Ballarat, Bendigo, Coffs Harbour, available, while it intends to establish a ‘more efficient Dubbo, Nowra, Port Macquarie, Urunga, Bundaberg and and consistent process’ for new concessions in the Murray Bridge. With regard to the latest deployment, 24GHz, 28GHz and 38GHz bands. Commenting on the Vic McClelland, Optus’ managing director of networks, plans, James Moore, Canada’s Minister of Industry, said: was cited as saying: ‘This is great news for consumers, ‘Spectrum is essential to power our wireless devices, and government and business in the ACT. Our new spectrum our government is making it more available than ever will offer improved indoor 4G coverage and expand our before. The end result is that Canadians will benefit from existing 4G services … Our aim is to deliver 4G services more competition, lower prices and better service in our to more than 200 regional and holiday destinations by wireless sector. The Harper Government is committed to April 2015, taking our population coverage to 90% of delivering competitively priced wireless services on the the Australian population.’ (December 8, 2014) telegeography.com latest technologies. (December 19, 2014) telegeography.com

Brazil China Telecoms regulator ANATEL has confirmed Ministry of Industry and Information that it has approved Telefonica’s US$9.83 Technology (MIIT) will consider allocating billion acquisition of broadband provider licenses for Frequency Division Duplex Global Village Telecom (GVT) from French Long Term Evolution (FDD-LTE) in 2015, media group Vivendi, albeit with certain conditions when conditions are mature, Miao Wei, the Minister attached. In a bid to maintain competition, the watchdog of Industry and Information Technology told press at has insisted that Telefonica and GVT cede some of a conference earlier this week. Concessions for the use their fixed telephony licenses in service areas where of the technology had previously been expected to be their operations overlap, and also to maintain existing handed out before the end of 2014, and the delay will service plans for customers for a period of 18 months. be a blow for mobile providers China Telecom and China Meanwhile, ANATEL has noted that the transfer of Unicom, as both players intend to use the technology Telefonica-owned Telecom Italia (TI) shares to Vivendi – as their primary 4G platform. News portal C114 also which forms part of the takeover deal – will be assessed cites the official as saying that the coverage of fiber-to- separately. (December 24, 2014) telegeography.com the-home (FTTH) networks will reach 70 million homes by the end of 2014, with 4G subscriptions surpassing 90 million and the number of IPTV users reaching 33.4 Burkina Faso million. Further, the proportion of broadband customers utilizing connections of 8Mbps or higher will reach The Regulatory Authority for Electronic 38.9% by that date, and non-voice services will account Communications and Posts (ARCEP) in for 57.9% of telecoms revenues. Burkina Faso has announced the re- (December 24, 2014) telegeography.com numbering of some of the country’s fixed telephone network. Landlines with the pre-fixes ‘40’ and ‘50’ have changed to start with ‘24’ and ‘25’ respectively, Croatia affecting around 120,000 fixed subscribers living in northern, eastern and central provinces, with ARCEP Regulatory Authority for Network chairman Mathurin Bako explaining: ‘The redevelopment Industries (HAKOM) has awarded spare plan is needed to enable ARCEP to create new spaces for 1800MHz wireless spectrum to mobile mobile operators that are major consumers of telephone operators Tele2 and T-Hrvatski Telekom numbers.’ (December 17, 2014) telegeography.com (T-HT). The two companies were the only firms to show interest in the frequencies, with the former requesting a 2×15MHz block and T-HT asking for 2×10MHz. The Canada licenses are technology neutral so could be used for 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. Mobile market Canada’s government has announced leader T-HT launched 1800MHz LTE services in 2012, plans to release an ‘unprecedented while third-placed Tele2 has still to introduce its own amount of mobile spectrum’ in 2015, 4G services. The second largest operator VIPnet did not with Industry Canada claiming that by submit an application for the spectrum when bids were May 2015 the amount of spectrum available to provide invited last month. (December 22, 2014) telegeography.com mobile services to consumers will have increased by almost 60% against early 2014. As part of its plans, the state has confirmed it will launch an auction of ‘Advanced Wireless Spectrum-3’ (‘AWS-3’) frequencies (1755MHz- 1780MHz, 2155MHz-2180MHz) on 3 March 2015, with it saying these will ‘enable the delivery of fast, reliable

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Denmark France, Bouygues and SFR – and newest entrant Free Mobile. The watchdog also said that operators could Telecoms watchdog the Danish Business request for the technology restriction to be lifted before Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen) has then, with Bouygues Telecom applying for permission to published its final decision with regards use the 1800MHz band for LTE services in March 2013. to the Long-Run Average Incremental (December 22, 2014) telegeography.com Cost (LRAIC) model for fixed networks used to determine LRAIC based costs for certain (wholesale) Telecoms regulator ARCEP has launched a two-month access and interconnection services in Denmark for the public consultation on a strategic review of spectrum period between January 1, 2015 and December 31, for ultra-high speed mobile systems, following the 2015. Under the final decision, wholesale prices of fixed government’s announcement that Long Term Evolution line broadband will be reduced for the aforementioned (LTE)-suitable frequencies in the 700MHz band will period, in order to ‘give companies an even better be allocated for telecoms use. ARCEP said that the opportunity to offer cheaper broadband services for document examines the two paths that will help the benefit of their customers.’ Helle Bojen Larsen, Head sustain and accelerate the ongoing upgrade of mobile of Division at the Erhvervsstyrelsen, said: ‘The Danish networks: reusing existing frequencies with more LRAIC model is developed in accordance with the latest efficient technologies; and making new frequencies European Commission (EC) guidelines. One of the pillars available, notably those in the 700MHz band. The is to ensure the right balance between competition and regulator is seeking feedback on ‘the issues involved investment. The Danish Business Authority believes in and the system to be used to allocate 700MHz that the new, lower wholesale prices provide increased band frequencies’; the responses will enable ARCEP to opportunities for competition in the Danish market, establish a framework for allocating spectrum in the without having investment opportunities weakened.’ aforementioned band. All interested parties are invited (December 9, 2014) telegeography.com to submit their comments by February 16, 2015. Last week, the government announced a timeframe for the planned auction of the 700MHz band by stating that ETNO the tender will be initiated in the second half of 2015; The European telecoms sector is set the process could generate up to EUR2.1 billion (US$2.6 to return to growth in 2016 following billion) for the treasury. Although the allocation of the six years of falling revenues, according spectrum, which is currently used for Digital Terrestrial to the annual report of Industry lobby Television (DTT) transmissions, is scheduled to take place group ETNO (European Telecom Network Operators), in December 2015, Prime Minister Manuel Valls clarified: prepared by IDATE. Overall telecoms services revenues ‘The actual transfer will take place between October 1, were 4 percent lower in 2013 than the year before and 2017 and June 30, 2019, with the exception of a few areas reached EUR 252.8 billion. However, the report forecasts where [the frequencies] could be used by April 2016.’ All that the decline in revenues will slow to -1.8 percent four domestic cellcos – Orange France, Numericable- in 2014 and return to a positive growth of 1 percent in SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Iliad (Free) – are expected 2016. “The downturn seems to be losing momentum to bid in the auction. (December 18, 2014) telegeography.com and growth levels in Europe have become less negative than before,” said the report. ETNO’s annual report also France will allocate 700-MHz mobile licenses late next confirmed that the investment gap between Europe and year, Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced. The the US is widening. In the period 2012-2013 the overall frequencies will be awarded to telecoms operators CAPEX growth in the EU was negative (-0.4 percent), in December 2015, Valls said in a statement, without compared to strong growth in the US (+5.7 percent). The elaborating on the allocation procedure. The spectrum, European telecoms sector as a whole invested EUR 46.7 currently in the hands of digital terrestrial TV (DTT) billion in 2013. Presenting the report, ETNO’s chairman providers, will be cleared for use for mobile broadband Luigi Gambardella said he was confident the new for the most part between 1 October 2017 and 30 European Commission would reform regulation to boost June 2019, he said. In a few areas, the spectrum will be investment. “The time for reform is now. Data shows that available as early as April 2016. According to Reuters, the a new phase of growth is in sight. We need to encourage government will auction off the licenses and expects to this expectation with a new regulatory and policy generate upwards of €2 billion as a result. The newswire framework,” he said, adding that “more investment will noted that all four of France’s mobile network operators mean better networks and better services for European are likely to take part in the contest, but also referred to citizens and businesses.” (December 12, 2014) telecompaper.com comments made by Xavier Niel, founder of Iliad, who recently suggested that the auction will show which of the operators are willing to be serious long-term France investors in the market. Iliad owns market disruptor ARCEP has issued a license authorizing Free Mobile, which as a relatively new entrant owns less domestic cellco Free Mobile to use spectrum than its rivals. Therefore it makes sense that 5MHz of spectrum in the 1800MHz Iliad will seek to acquire as much 700 MHz spectrum as band throughout Metropolitan France it can. The future is less certain for Bouygues Telecom, (excluding Paris, Nice and Marseille) from January 1, which finds itself in a difficult position following the tie- 2015. The wireless operator will be awarded an additional up between cable operator Numericable and mobile 5MHz on April 1, 2015 to offer services in Marseille, player SFR earlier this year. There were reports that while its final 5MHz batch of frequencies will be released both Iliad and Orange would seek to acquire Bouygues on July 1, 2015, covering Nice and Paris. In March 2013 Telecom, but no deal was forthcoming and last month the regulator published its guidelines for the refarming Niel ruled his company out of any future M&A maneuver. of 1800MHz spectrum for Long Term Evolution (LTE) As a result, Niel said, “there will be no consolidation”. services, by stating that these frequencies would become However, Numericable might have other ideas. Recently technology neutral from 25 May 2016; the guidelines aim Altice, Numericable’s parent company, intimated that to ensure balanced allocation of spectrum between the it might be interested in making a move for Bouygues country’s three established mobile operators – Orange Telecom next year, once it has completed its merger with SFR. (December 11, 2014) totaltele.com

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The European Commission (EC) has approved the telecoms operators to allow for the provision of 4G ARCEP’s draft decision regulating the markets for fixed services. Under Resolution No. 9 of the GNCC, which voice call termination and mobile voice call termination came into effect on December 4, 2014, the modification from 2014 to 2017, although the European regulator has of scarce resources already issued by the regulator will be requested additional justifications for SMS termination carried out for the usage of harmonized radio frequency rates. ARCEP will now finalize the process for adopting ranges (800MHz/900MHz/1800MHz/2100MHz). The its analysis of the wholesale markets for fixed voice call duration for the modified technology and service termination and mobile voice call termination, which is neutral licenses is 15 years. In September the GNCC set to introduce a decrease in maximum call termination announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Central rates from January 1, 2015. Meanwhile, the EC has Asia and Caucasus had been awarded the contract to requested additional justification for the regulation of establish the value of spectrum in the 800MHz, 900MHz, the wholesale markets for SMS termination. The authority 1800MHz and 2100MHz frequency bands. According to has questioned the relevance of a new SMS termination the watchdog, the methodology developed by PwC has regulation that could, in its view, disadvantage the been used to determine the initial value for new 4G Long development of instant messaging (IM) services, and so Term Evolution (LTE) licenses, as well as for the extension reduce the resulting benefits to consumers in terms of of existing concessions. (December 15, 2014) telegeography.com choice, quality and price. The EC has, therefore, launched a two-month period of investigation and dialogue with ARCEP and the Body of European Regulators for Ghana Electronic Communications (BEREC), after which it will Ghanaian telecoms watchdog, the decide whether or not to approve the draft decision. National Communications Authority (December 4, 2014) telegeography.com (NCA), has refuted media claims that it plans to increase some telecoms tariffs by Germany up to 50% in 2015. The authority said in a press release that ‘the facts of the issue as reported in the press are not Following an in-depth investigation, the reflective of the ongoing process in reviewing wholesale European Commission (EC) has concluded interconnection rates for the mobile network operators’. that the approach of the German telecoms The NCA pointed out that it has already discussed the regulator, the Federal Network Agency impact of an Interconnect Clearing House, set to be (FNA) for the calculation of fixed termination rates (FTRs) established in May 2015, on wholesale interconnection does not follow the European Union (EU) recommended rates; the NCA highlighted that the operation of the approach and leads to competition and consumer harm. Clearing House will mitigate the rising trends affecting According to the FNA, FTRs for alternative fixed operators wholesale interconnection tariffs. will be based on the previously applied methodology for (December 8, 2014) telegeography.com incumbent operator Telekom Deutschland (TD), but the EC says that, if adopted, the new rates in Germany would be over 200% higher than in member states that follow GSMA the EC’s recommendation. Brussels says it now requires Tom Phillips, Chief Regulatory Officer, the FNA to withdraw its proposal or to amend it in order GSMA, offered the following statement to bring it in line with the EC’s guidelines. In its proposal, regarding the Telecoms Ministers’ the FNA defined FTRs that should apply retrospectively meeting on the Telecoms Single Market as of December 1, 2012 until 30 November 2014. In April package in Brussels “Today’s rejection by the Council of 2013 the EC criticized the German regulator’s method Ministers of large sections of the Telecoms Single Market for calculating FTRs for TD and in August 2013 issued package gives Europe’s policy makers a chance to take a a recommendation directing the FNA to amend or fresh look at the region’s telecoms single market future. withdraw the proposal. However, the German watchdog A bold new vision is required, which deals decisively did not follow the recommended guidelines, and now with issues such as the new Internet bottlenecks and the intends to set FTRs for the remaining operators following years of accumulated legacy regulation that have held the same approach it applied for TD. back investment in Europe’s networks. “Now is the time (December 17, 2014) telegeography.com to address these issues with clear, long term thinking and the GSMA urges the Council of Ministers, Commission Georgia and Parliament to start work as fast as possible.”Despite falling revenues, increased regulation and a challenging Vimpelcom-backed Mobitel was the economic climate, the telecoms industry continues to only mobile operator to submit an play a key role in building Europe’s digital future, investing application to participate in the Georgian almost €30 billion each year from now to 2020 in next- government’s upcoming Long Term generation mobile networks. While the Commission’s Evolution (LTE) spectrum auction, the Georgian National proposed Investment Plan is a step in the right direction, Communications Commission (GNCC) has confirmed, there is an opportunity for the EU institutions to create following the December 19 expiration date. The auction policies that further boost investment and support will take place on December 29, and the regulator notes innovation. “In Europe, there is a legacy of outdated that Mobitel will be confirmed as the winner of the 2x telecom-focused regulation, while major Internet players 10MHz blocks in the 800MHz band provided it is willing remain largely unregulated. If the region is to regain to meet the GEL48.364 million (US$25.427 million) its digital leadership, the EU institutions urgently need license fee and the GEL2.418 million bidding fee. Going to redress the balance between the rules for network forward, the coverage obligations are as follows: 30% of operators, who are actively investing in Europe’s digital all settlements of over 5,000 people by February 1, 2016; infrastructures, and those for global Internet companies. 50% by February 1, 2017; 70% by February 1, 2018; and “By taking a general principles-based approach to the 90% by February 1, 2020. (December 24, 2014) telegeography.com Open Internet proposals, the Council would avoid overly prescriptive rules that risk undermining crucial network The Georgian National Communications Commission management and innovation that make the Internet (GNCC) says that it has started to modify the radio work for everyone.”Finally, broad and bold reform of frequency spectrum licenses of the country’s existing spectrum policy is vital to support the identification

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 and deployment of harmonized spectrum for mobile emerging area in the telecoms space that allow both broadband across Europe. By reassessing the region’s wireless and wired systems to communicate with each current approach to spectrum policy, this will support other. M2M, typically, uses devices such as sensors to the significant socio-economic benefits that mobile transfer information over a telecom network. Services broadband can deliver.” (December 1, 2014) cellular-news.com such as security and surveillance, remote monitoring of ATM machines, home automation, traffic management, retail, logistics and grid energy could eventually benefit Guinea through M2M solutions, which are also expected to Telecoms Minister Oye Guilavogui has support the Centre’s Rs 7,000-crore ‘Smart City’ project. once again announced that defunct The draft M2M policy guidelines were recently discussed state-owned full-service telecoms at a meeting chaired by a top official in the Telecom operator Societe des Telecoms de Guinee Commission, which is the apex decision making wing (SOTELGUI) will resume operations, promising that the in the communications ministry. The DoT panel has provider will relaunch in February 2015, with 4G services also recommended that M2M service providers (MSPs) added to its portfolio. In an interview with local news will be “governed jointly by DoT regulations and norms portal Ramatoulaye.com, Mr. Guilavogui said that the applicable to specific industry-vertical” where the M2M government would not fail in its promise this time. The solution is deployed. All MSPs using infrastructure of telecom minster said in August this year that the telco licensed telecom operators will have to be registered would be up and running ‘soon’ with the first calls to be and the DoT will shortly issue separate registration made over the network by the end of that month. Prior guidelines, the note, a copy of which was seen by ET, to that, in January 2014, the official had promised that shows. The registration is critical to pave the way for the telco would be back on its feet before the end of national security agencies to legally monitor MSP 2014. (December 24, 2014) telegeography.com operations. The DoT panel will also outline a distinct spectrum policy purely for M2M services, the note shows. The government is keen to unveil its M2M policy Hong Kong roadmap since industry experts reckon that India has Hong Kong has raised HK$2.42 billion huge potential for such services, especially with the (€252 million) from the sale of 2.1 GHz proliferation of 3G and 4G services, which are expected spectrum to three of its existing mobile to trigger an exponential growth for M2M transactions operators. Hong Kong’s Office of the in the next three years. Industry experts, however, Communications Authority (OFCA) announced earlier believe data privacy remains a tricky issue in the M2M this week that SmarTone, China Mobile and 3 had scenario since information would be shared and used emerged victorious from the sale of 49.2 MHz of spectrum with third-party vendors. Accordingly, they hope that in the 1,900 MHz-2.2 GHz band. The sum raised was only DoT will address the issue while formulating the M2M slightly ahead of the base price of HK$2.36 billion, or roadmap. (December 18, 2014) economictimes.indiatimes.com HK$48 million per MHz. SmarTone walked away with the most spectrum, picking up 19.8 MHz for HK$980.4 India’s forthcoming spectrum auction will likely include million. China Mobile was close behind with 19.6 MHz for some 3G spectrum, the local press reported on Friday, HK$970.4 million. Hutchison’s 3 agreed to pay HK$470.4 just days after the publication of inflated reserve prices million for 9.8 MHz of frequencies. SmarTone and 3 for 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bandwidth. The already hold spectrum licenses in the 2.1 GHz band that country’s defense ministry has agreed to free up 5 are due to expire in October 2016. They exercised their MHz of frequencies in the 2.1 GHz band in 17 circles, first right of refusal to two thirds of their existing holdings the Economic Times claimed, citing unnamed sources. earlier in the year. The remainder, plus spectrum that rival However, they added that there has been no decision players HKT and CSL are required to divest as part of yet on a further 15 MHz of 3G spectrum that is due to their merger agreement, was sold through the auction. be made available by moving services to other bands. China Mobile does not have an existing 2.1 GHz license. An imminent resolution on that matter seems unlikely, HKT completed its US$2.43 billion (HK$18.87 billion) the sources said. The 5 MHz of spectrum will be released purchase of CSL in May. The OFCA gave the go-ahead to “soon” though and officials hope it will form part of the deal on condition that the merged entity divest 29.6 February’s auction, the paper’s sources said, although MHz of spectrum by not seeking the renewal of its 2.1- the agreement still requires cabinet approval. India plans GHz licenses. In addition, the merged company was not to sell off spectrum in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 permitted to take part in the auction. “While 29.6 MHz MHz bands in February. The Telecom Commission earlier out of the 118.4 MHz in the 1.9 GHz–2.2 GHz band will this week set base prices for those airwaves, setting the change hands with effect from October 2016 (i.e. from price per MHz for 900 MHz spectrum at 36.93 billion HKT to SmarTone and China Mobile), the incumbent and rupees (€476 million), some way ahead of the Telecom the new spectrum assignees [will] have about two years Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI’s) INR30.04 billion to prepare for the necessary network reconfiguration recommendation. The Commission has put the price and the rollout of their networks respectively,” an OFCA of 800 MHz spectrum at INR36.46 billion per MHz and spokesperson said, in a statement. “OFCA will liaise 1800 MHz at INR21.91 billion per MHz, the Economic closely with the mobile network operators concerned Times said. The prices have yet to be approved by to ensure a smooth changeover during the run up to telecoms minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The TRAI has October 2016,” the regulator added. yet to publish recommended prices for 3G spectrum but is under pressure from the government to do so, the (December 11, 2014) totaltele.com newspaper said. (December 12, 2014) totaltele.com

India The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has agreed to allow wireless operators Bharti Airtel and Vodafone A telecom department panel has India an extension to their permits in Delhi, Kolkata and suggested that all gateways and Mumbai to limit disruption as the cellcos reconfigure application servers used to deliver their networks to their new frequency bands, the machine-to-machine (M2M) services in Economic Times writes. The Telecom Commission is set future be located in India on national security grounds, to meet today and is expected to ratify the DoT’s plans. according to an internal note. M2M applications are an

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Under the proposal, the cellcos will have their existing the Court of Appeal has now decided that the FCA spectrum rights extended until December 15 in Mumbai does not apply to the tie-up as there was no collusion and Kolkata, and until January 14 in Delhi, in order to allow between the operators. (December 24, 2014) telegeography.com time to reconfigure their networks to their new spectrum allocations. In its note to the Telecom Commission, the Jamaica’s Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) has DoT explained its decision which is designed to: ‘To received five applications from firms looking to manage avoid large-scale disruptions to networks which may the country’s number portability systems. A report from cause inconvenience to millions of subscribers and in the Jamaica Gleaner names the parties as: local company public interest.’ Both operators were left in the lurch by Productive Business Solutions, plus overseas bidders the DoT, receiving their new spectrum allocations for the Mediafon (Lithuania), Porting Access (Netherlands), metro circles with less than a month to reconfigure their Telcordia Technologies/Iconectiv (US) and Teletech networks before their existing licenses expire – a process (Slovenia). The regulator will select the winning provider the duo claim should take six months to complete. The on a competitive basis, with fixed and mobile number new spectrum was acquired in February this year, but portability scheduled to be implemented by the end of delays from the DoT left the operators with weeks to May 2015. (December 22, 2014) telegeography.com alter their systems, rather than the months that they had anticipated. The cellcos’ licenses ended on November Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and 29, but the duo has not returned the spectrum. Mining, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment (December 8, 2014) telegeography.com to launching fixed and mobile number portability (NP) by the end of May next year. According to a release The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said from the government’s Jamaica Information Service that it has been asked to expedite the process for its (JIS), Phillip Paulwell told an ICT conference: ‘I have recommendations on the reserve price of 2100 MHz band mandated the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and all and issued the consultation paper to seek comments the providers that come May 31, 2015, we will have full on issues related to valuation and reserve price. In a portability.’ Authorities initially planned to implement NP statement TRAI said, “DoT requested TRAI to expedite in May this year but fixed line and mobile operator LIME the process for its recommendations on the reserve said its systems were not ready and it needed more time price of 2100 MHz band and related issues so that the to prepare for a launch. Paulwell now warns there will be auction of spectrum in this band could be conducted no further delays to the schedule: ‘Those companies that along with the auction of spectrum in the 800/900/1800 are not ready, they are going to feel the full brunt of the MHz bands scheduled in February 2015.” The regulator law and the authority that I have, because this has been said that the key issues raised in the consultation outstanding for too long and people should have been paper relate to the roll-out obligations, spectrum cap, ready by now.’ (December 3, 2014) telegeography.com different models and approaches for the valuation of the spectrum and estimate of reserve price of spectrum in the 2100 MHz. (December 2, 2014) thehindubusinessline.com Kenya Kenya’s Communications Authority Italy revealed the launch of a consumer awareness campaign ahead of the switch- Italy’s telecoms regulator AGCOM has off of analogue broadcasting in the made a retroactive cut to the rates for Nairobi area December 31. The regulator has urged local loop unbundling (LLU) for the citizens to obtain digital set-top boxes to avoid a last- period 2010-2012. The move follows an minute rush after the switch-off. CA Director General investigation into the rates by the country’s Council Francis Wangusi stated that there would be no extension of State. The rate for 2012 will be cut by EUR0.23 per of analogue broadcasting, as there is limited time left to line, from EUR9.28 to EUR9.05 (US$11.58 to USD11.29), the June 2015 deadline set by the ITU. The awareness while the rate for 2010/11 has dropped from EUR8.90 campaign is expected to see a caravan of road shows to EUR8.67. The cuts mean that incumbent operator tour various environs in the city. The phased switch to Telecom Italia (TI) will be forced to repay tens of millions digital will see Mombasa, Malindi, Nyeri, Meru, Kisumu, of euros to alternative operators for lines which were Webuye, Kakamega, Kisii, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyahururu unbundled over the three-year period. TI has said it will (Nyadundo), Machakos, Narok and Londiani (Rongai) appeal the decision, with Italian financial news portal stop analogue broadcasting on February 2, 2015. The FIRSTonline reporting TI chief executive Marco Patuano rest of the country will switch March 30, 2015. The as expressing his ‘bitterness’ at how the rates can be set Authority has approved over 60 vendors of digital TV and altered retroactively. (December 17, 2014) FIRSTonline receivers. (December 29, 2014) itnewsafrica.com

Jamaica Macau Jamaica’s Court of Appeal has ruled that the 2011 merger between two of The government of Macau has renewed the country’s three mobile operators – the 3G licenses of the territory’s four Digicel and Claro – was in keeping with mobile network operators Companhia the Telecommunications Act and did not contravene de Telecomunicacoes de Macau (CTM), the Fair Competition Act (FCA). Jamaica’s Fair Trading Hutchison (3), Smartone and China Telecom (Macau) Commission (FTC) challenged the merger towards the until June 2023, on condition that the cellcos meet end of 2011, saying it created a less competitive cellular certain conditions. Starting in January 2015, operators market, with the enlarged Digicel/Claro having just will have to inform clients about their quantity of mobile one rival, Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) data usage, while from April operators must ensure subsidiary LIME. Digicel responded by filing a counter- that, once a user’s mobile data limit has been reached, claim, saying the FTC had no jurisdiction, though this user confirmation will be required before allowing extra argument was eventually overturned by the Supreme data usage. Additionally, from June 2015 operators are Court. According to a report from the Jamaica Observer, requested to provide information on data usage in real

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 time. In case of delays in providing such information, Term Evolution (LTE) networks, which operate in the no extra costs can be charged to clients. According 2100MHz and 2600MHz bands. The reallocation of radio to a statement on the website of sector regulator the frequencies in the 900MHz band is in accordance with the Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation (DSRT), the regulator’s spectrum management program for 2013- government will also require the operators to ‘launch 2020, under which ANRCETI granted new licenses for the a customer protection mechanism with regard to operation of mobile networks in the 800MHz, 900MHz faults in networks, encouraging them to continue to and 1800MHz spectrum bands. Orange and Moldcell invest resources in improving network infrastructure’. received three licenses each for the use of spectrum Additionally, the Macanese government confirmed its in the 800MHz (2×10MHz), 900MHz (2×10MHz) and intention to continue 2G services running in the Special 1800MHz (2×25MHz) bands, while Moldtelecom was Administrative Region (SAR) to serve roaming tourists, awarded 2×5MHz in the 900MHz range and 2×25MHz and while the DSRT’s statement said it would review in the 1800MHz band. The concessions have a 15- the situation in due course, it did not give a timeframe. year validity, effective 6 November 2014. (December 8, 2014) As it stands, in June 2015 all local 2G mobile services telegeography.com in Macau are set to be switched off, and only 3G (and future 4G) services will be provided to Macanese users, but 2G roaming services for tourists are to remain on Montenegro offer under previous agreements between the operators, Montenegro’s Agency for Electronic regulator and government. CTM, 3 and SmarTone Communications and Postal Activity has remain obliged to keep their 2G infrastructure active announced the start of the consultation alongside their W-CDMA/HSPA networks for the time process on the occasion on the being (although subject to review by the DSRT), whilst preparation of the plan to distribute radio frequencies China Telecom operates 3G-only CDMA-based services. in the 2500-2690 MHz band. The consultation will also Three of the cellcos’ existing 3G concessions were due to serve to define the regulatory and technical framework expire in June 2015, except SmarTone whose 3G license for the implementation of TRA-ECS public electronic runs until September 2017. The database shows that just communication networks, including IMT systems. 0.2% of Macau’s mobile subscribers remained on 2G Any interested parties should submit their comments, services by end-September 2014. The results of Macau’s opinions and suggestions in the next 30 days. 4G license tender are expected in Q1 2015. (December 17, (December 29, 2014) telecompaper.com 2014) Macau Business Daily Nigeria Mexico The Nigerian Communications Mexico has planned to auction high- Commission (NCC) has shut down the speed mobile phone spectrum in 2015 operations of four companies that it said for the first time in five years as the had been using the 5.4GHz frequency government seeks to ramp up competition band without permission. The Steam Communications, in a sector long dominated by tycoon Carlos Slim. The Netcom Africa, SwiftTalk and Multi-dimension Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT) said it Technologies, all located in Lagos, have not been licensed aimed to auction 60 Megahertz (MHz) of spectrum in by the NCC to operate in the 5.4GHz band. The regulator frequency bands between 1.71 Gigahertz (GHz) and has confiscated the equipment of the operators and will 2.17 GHz. It did not specify when the auction would carry out an investigation into the quartet’s activities. take place next year. Mexico’s government completed a (December 11, 2014) Nigeria News Agency major telecommunications reform in 2014 designed to loosen the hold Slim’s America Movil has long had on the market. Next year could see the arrival of U.S. giant Norway AT&T to compete with the billionaire. At the weekend, The Norwegian Post and the IFT approved AT&T’s $1.7 billion purchase of Iusacell, Telecommunications Authority (NPT) has Mexico’s third-biggest mobile operator, which lags far sent a draft decision regarding mobile behind America Movil. Slim’s company has around 70 termination rates (MTRs) to the EFTA percent of the mobile market in Mexico. The IFT said it Surveillance Authority (ESA). As per the regulator’s would also auction 10 MHz of spectrum between 440 plans, it has confirmed that it is seeking to reduce the and 450 MHz to boost available capacity for private rate to a maximum of NOK0.083 (US$0.012) per minute radio communication systems, as well as blocks of from July 1, 2015, before mandating further reductions, frequency for social and rural use between 824 and 894 to NOK0.075 and NOK0.065 from January 1, 2016 MHz. (December 23, 2014) reuters.com and January 1, 2017, respectively. This draft decision, it noted, would apply to those companies deemed Moldova to hold significant market power (SMP) in the market for voice call termination on mobile networks (market Moldova’s telecoms watchdog – the 7), namely: Com4, Lycamobile, Network Norway, TDC, National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Telenor Norge, Tele2 Norge, NetCom (TeliaSonera) Communications and Information and Ventelo. In September 2014 the NPT had outlined Technology (ANRCETI) – has revealed plans under which all operators designated as holding that domestic telecoms operators Orange Moldova SMP in the mobile market would be required to reduce and Moldcell have migrated their 2G networks to MTRs in line with the aforementioned levels, although the 900MHz band, as outlined by Decision No.116 initially it envisioned the first drop – to NOK0.083 – of 11 February 2013. The process will be carried out being implemented from April 1, 2015. Having said it simultaneously by both providers in order to avoid had reached its decision having conducted an updated mutual interference issues, although the transition could market analysis of the sector, it noted in its initial cause ‘temporary damage’ to 2G quality of service (QoS) announcement that it had also developed an updated in some geographical areas for a few days. The regulator version of the Long Run Incremental Cost (LRIC) model pointed out that the process will not affect 2G services used for calculating the costs of termination. Having offered over the 1800MHz band, or 3G and 4G Long now completed a national consultation on the proposals

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– submissions to which were due by October 9, 2014 – it Slovakia noted that there were just two changes to its original plans, those being: that the first price reduction be Regulatory Office for Electronic introduced marginally later as noted earlier; and that the Communications & Postal Services (RU) scope of the regulation is limited to apply only to call has launched a tender for nationwide made from within the European Economic Area (EEA). wireless broadband frequency licenses (December 3, 2014) telegeography.com in the 3600MHz-3800MHz band. In a publication on its website RU invited bidders for three frequency blocks each with a bandwidth of 40MHz (comprising 8×5MHz Peru blocks); an individual bidder may bid for one 40MHz Peru’s Agency for the Promotion of Private block only, with a minimum bid price set at EUR250,000 Investment (ProInversion) has launched (US$311,000). Prospective bidders must apply by January a public consultation regarding plans to 14, 2015 and deposit collateral of EUR250,000 with the auction three blocks of spectrum in the RU. The regulator states the aim of the competition is to 698MHz-806MHz band. The concession are expected to help meet the aims of the Slovak national strategy for be used for Long Term Evolution (LTE) services, enabling increased availability of broadband. providers to extend coverage more rapidly and at a lower (December 12, 2014) telegeography.com cost than is possible with the 1700MHz/2100MHz and 1900MHz frequencies currently used for 4G networks. South Africa The three lots on offer are as follows: Block A, 703MHz- 718MHz, 758MHz-773MHz; Block B, 718MHz-733MHz, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma 773MHz-788MHz; and Block C, 733MHz-748MHz, has published a new proclamation in 788MHz-803MHz. ProInversion expects to complete the the country’s Official Gazette, which award process by March/April 2015. sets out the responsibilities of the newly (December 3, 2014) telegeography.com established Department of Communications (DOC) and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS). Following the July 2014 split of the Rwanda ‘Old’ Department of Communications (DoC) into the The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency two separate entities, the DOC was given oversight over (RURA), has revealed that it is currently telecoms watchdog the Independent Communications discussing a mobile number portability Authority of South Africa (ICASA). However, under (MNP) report with policy makers and the new proclamation, ICASA will now report to both industry stakeholders. Last year RURA hired a consultant departments. The document transfers the administration to study the feasibility of the potential implementation of and powers and functions set out in the ICASA Act of of a MNP project and associated costs, with the final 2000 and the Broadcasting Act (1999) to the DOC, while the report being submitted in November 2014. The official DTPS will take control of the Electronic Communications pointed out that a cost benefit analysis of the service Act of 2005, which is the overarching convergence will be conducted prior to its introduction in order to legislation for the information and communications determine if the project will be profitable, adding: ‘There technology sector, and the Postal Services Act of 1998. is infrastructure investment involved in a centralized Further, some aspects of the Electronic Communications system which will allow people to port’. The launch Act – relating to broadcasting – will fall within DOC’s of MNP services was originally slated for 2011. RURA jurisdiction, thus placing Communications Minister Faith said in February that year that it had postponed the Muthambi in charge of the countries belated analogue implementation of the service to 2012 to allow the switch-off process. Meanwhile, South African banking country’s three mobile operators to fully establish group First National Bank (FNB) is reportedly in the themselves in the market. ‘We have decided to postpone process of expanding its fiber network to double as a the introduction of the service to 2012 because the backhaul for telecoms services, Business Tech reports, market is not yet ready for it; we also want the market citing industry sources familiar with the matter. Rumors to have a 60% [mobile] penetration.’ The country passed have been swirling since 2013 that FNB has its sights set on becoming a player in the South African telco space the 60% mobile penetration mark in January 2014. in some capacity, and it already possesses the necessary (December 24, 2014) Daily AllAfrica licenses to operate as a telecoms provider. In June 2013 two independent sources told BusinessTech that FNB Senegal and Cell C were in discussions over a potential mobile virtual network (MVNO) agreement. FNB allegedly Telecoms regulator ARTP has published declined to comment on its fiber infrastructure, with its report on the country’s telecoms FNB CIO’s Mohammed Hassem saying instead: ‘FNB market for Q3 2014, showing that overall will continue to enhance its services where it benefits take-up levels for fixed and mobile our customers and [we] will only be in a position to services declined marginally in the third quarter. In the formally announce new services once launched.’ Finally, mobile sector, ARTP reported a total of 14.352 million MTN South Africa has revealed that the recent service subscribers at 30 September, down 0.3% quarter-on- disruptions experienced by some subscribers were quarter from 14.356 million. Orange Senegal dominates caused by network upgrades and electricity utility the wireless market with 55.07% of the market, or 7.904 Eskom’s load shedding, MyBroadband reports. MTN million connections, ahead of Tigo’s 24.19% (3.472 noted that it recently needed to re-engineer its network million) and Expresso Telecom with 20.29% (2.912 in certain parts of the country to ensure that it was of million). In the fixed telephony segment, ARTP reported an acceptable standard and was capable of satisfying a total of 317,653 subscribers, down from 330,858 at the needs of customers. Eben Albertyn, chief technology end-June, with total call traffic volumes slumping to an officer at MTN SA, said: ‘The adjustments were many and average 23.94 million minutes per month, from 25.41 they included reviewing how we can optimally utilize million in the second quarter. The regulator also noted the existing spectrum, which entailed re-configuring that Senegal was home to a total of 6.675 million (fixed the current allocation of our spectrum.’ Further, MTN and mobile) subscribers at the start of October, of which added that Eskom’s load shedding exacerbated the around 98% are mobile internet connections. (December 8, 2014) telegeography.com page_49 REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES

SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 disruptions; the operator disclosed that although it has Biztechafrica.com. Speaking at a youth business forum batteries and generators at base stations in the event of in the capital Lome, Ms. Lawson said that candidates power failures, these measures offered a limited backup have until January 2015 to submit their applications, time. The executive revealed: ‘We are working tirelessly adding that the government is hopeful that the entry to ensure there is minimal impact on services and are of a newcomer will improve telecoms voice and internet planning for a speedy completion. We are aware that access in Togo. ‘When I took over this ministry, one of my the demand will spike over the festive season and we goals was to bring down the prices. And we have done remain confident that these interventions will bolster just that between 2010 and 2014, lowering prices by our capacity to meet expected traffic … MTN apologizes more than 30%,’ she said, adding: ‘We can do better than to its customers for any inconvenience caused during that; that’s why we launched the third license procedure.’ this time.’ (December 5, 2014) TechCentral In July this year the government of Togo began the process of auctioning off a third mobile license via an international tender. In a press release, the Ministry of South Korea Post and Digital Economy confirmed that the tender South Korean mobile network operators for 2G, 3G and 4G mobile services would hopefully be KT Corp and LG Uplus have both been concluded in October 2014. A consortium composed of fined by the country’s antitrust watchdog the investment bank Linkstone Capital, the law firm Bird for excessively lowering the price of & Bird and the consulting firm Artelia have been retained their respective corporate messaging services. With by the government to act as advisors on the sale. The the pair having been slapped with a combined KRW6.2 statement went to say that interested bidders had been billion (US$5.6 million) fine for undermining fair market invited to request the Information Notice which contains competition, LG Uplus was penalized the most, with it (i) a synthetic presentation of the transaction process, facing a KRW4.3 billion charge. However, it has been (ii) an overview of Togo and of its telecommunications noted that the fine amount is preliminary and will be sector, (iii) a description of the integrated qualification adjusted after calculating related sales, according to process which will take place at the opening of the the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). According to the offers stage and (iv) a description of the procedure to watchdog, both operators have taken advantage of be followed by potential investors to receive the bidding their respective networks to excessively lower the prices document. The closing of the transaction was expected of their corporate messaging services – which allow to take place in October 2014, but has now been pushed companies to send clients messages such as notifications back to January 2015. The wireless market in Togo is of credit card payment or updates on product delivery currently a duopoly of Togo Cellulaire (Togocel), the – effectively forcing out smaller competitors from the mobile arm of fixed line incumbent Togo Telecom, and growing market. As these minor providers rely on the Atlantique Telecom (Moov), which is controlled by UAE- infrastructure belonging to the cellcos to send the based telecoms operator Emirates Telecommunications messages, it has been claimed that both had set the price Corporation (Etisalat). The cellcos each received GSM of their own corporate messaging services below cost. operating licenses in the late-1990s. Togecel launched While the corporate messaging services market had long commercially in 1997 followed by Moov two years later, been dominated by smaller companies, the entry of LG and they have since amassed more than three million Uplus and KT Corp to the sector has seen that situation users between them. Togo’s mobile market generated reversed; according to the report in 2006 the smaller revenue of about US$275 million in 2013, a figure companies combined represented 71% of the market, that is forecast to grow by around 7% over the next but last year this figure had slumped to just 29%, with five years, to US$363 million in 2018, driven in large the mobile operator duo accounting for the remainder. part by pent up demand for data and improvements Commenting on the decision to fine the cellcos, the FTC in network infrastructure. This is, however, not the first was cited as saying: ‘This case is meaningful in that we time that the government has tried to award a third have helped level the playing field and created a market license. In November 2008 Orange Group announced condition where competition on merit can be possible.’ it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) (December 1, 2014) Yonhap News Agency with the government of the West African state, opening up the way for exclusive negotiations with regards to ‘a new global operator license’ under the Orange Sweden brand. However, the trail went cold and the status quo The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency remains unchanged, despite a May 2011 update in (PTS) has rejected Telenor Sweden’s which the regulator ART&P confirmed its intentions to request for dispute settlement in an further liberalize the sector by licensing a new mobile arbitration case relating to incumbent operator through ‘a transparent process’. Firms such as TeliaSonera’s pricing of local loop unbundling (LLU) Mauritius-based Planor Afrique (owner of Telecel Faso), services in 2007-2008. For the period January 2007-April Libyan telecoms holding company LAP Green Network 2008 Telenor’s request was not considered by the PTS and France’s Orange Group are all names to have been because the issue of cost-oriented LLU prices for that linked with a potential third license in Togo. period has already been considered by an appeal; for (December 15, 2014) telegeography.com April-December 2008 PTS also rejected Telenor’s request to retroactively set certain prices, because the prices Ukraine Telenor suggested are lower than those TeliaSonera may charge under the existing wholesale obligation decisions Telecoms regulator NCCIR reports that of the regulator. (December 23, 2014) telegeography.com it decided to launch the long-awaited tender for three 3G UMTS mobile licenses at its meeting of December 9, 2014, Togo subsequent to which it is publishing an advertisement Minister of Post and Digital Economy, for prospective bidders to enter their proposals Ms. Cina Lawson, has said that the small alongside final conditions of the tender and other West African nation will not disclose the related documents, in Ukraine’s Official Gazette and on identity of the winner of the country’s the regulatory site. The announcement set a February 16, third mobile license until next year, according to

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2015 date for the license auction, which is understood said that a lack of affordable superfast broadband in to be the date on which the winners will be revealed. the Square Mile is harming businesses and making The NCCIR will accept 3G license bid applications from the capital’s financial centre less attractive to global December 15 to January 15, while the minimum bid companies. Joe Garner, CEO of BT’s Openreach division, price for each license under the terms of the tender is stated: ‘City-centre locations present unique challenges UAH2.7 billion (US$171 million), although the total cost when it comes to upgrading consumer broadband. of the conversion of UMTS frequencies from military For example, there is less room for us to install a fiber use – UAH1.6 billion – must be divided equally among cabinet on the pavement, and it is often harder to get the winners and added to the basic license acquisition permission to close roads to do the work. We also need fee. Under the license conditions, all regional centers of to secure permission from multiple landlords to run new Ukraine must be covered by 3G network services within cables across their land and properties. That’s why we 18 months from receipt of concession. The government are being innovative with new technology solutions like reserves the right to reject applications on the basis of this one. We are optimistic that this new solution will applicants’ association with individuals/companies on prove that fibre broadband can be installed into building Ukraine’s economic sanctions list (related to Russian- basements quickly, smoothly and economically.’ backed separatists in the east of the country), and it (December 24, 2014) Techweekeurope should be noted that the law on sanctions could apply to a company post-licensing, resulting in its license being revoked. Ukraine’s cellular market leader Kyivstar, owned United States by Russian-backed Vimpelcom, is currently carrying out The Federal Communications Commission a detailed study of the 3G tender conditions, before (FCC) has pushed back its informal putting the decision on a potential license bid to its deadline for the completion of its review shareholders, its director-general Peter Chernyshov was of Comcast’s proposed US$45.2 billion quoted as saying by Ukrainian News. Second-ranked purchase of Time Warner Cable (TWC) by three weeks. cellco MTS Ukraine, part of Russia’s Mobile TeleSystems According to the news agency, FCC officials need time (MTS), was similarly quoted in local press as saying it to review in excess of 31,000 supporting documents that will review the 3G tender, making a detailed study of TWC has submitted this week. The three-week delay, the tender conditions before it reaches a decision on which will conclude on 12 January, follows a previous whether to bid. A spokesperson for third-placed cellco ‘pause’ between October and December as the agency Astelit (Life:)), jointly owned by domestic conglomerate awaited documents and heard objections from video SCM and Turkey’s Turkcell, said the company is currently providers over the disclosure of confidential contracts. analyzing the situation, and did not issue a conclusive In an emailed statement to Reuters, TWC spokesman statement on whether it would place a bid, while noting Bobby Amirshahi noted: ‘Today’s delay is a procedural that a high starting price for licenses increases business issue, not a substantive one. We already have provided costs and reduces the overall investment attractiveness the FCC more than five million pages of documents and of 3G rollout in Ukraine. SCM’s subsidiary Ukrtelecom is we will continue to provide the FCC everything that they currently the sole UMTS 2100MHz licensee in Ukraine. It need.’ (December 24, 2014) reuters.com has also been reported that CDMA operator Intertelecom is mulling an UMTS bid. In a related detail, last week the Parts of Minneapolis are receiving ‘the world’s fastest’ NCCIR cancelled a ‘useless’ 5MHz unpaired 3G spectrum internet speeds from fiber-optic broadband provider block belonging to Ukrtelecom, which operates the US Internet as of yesterday. The Minnetonka-based country’s only UMTS mobile network under the TriMob operator is using its network, currently serving around banner with 2×15MHz 2100MHz bandwidth, but the 30,000 homes in southwest Minneapolis, to offer additional nationwide 5MHz allocation had never been subscribers access to speeds of 10Gbps, around 400 utilized. (December 10, 2014) ProIT times faster than the average (25Mbps) in Minnesota. Joe Caldwell, co-CEO at US Internet says: ‘The fastest Regulator the NCCIR has set December 9, 2014 as internet in the world is going to be here in Minneapolis the date to launch its 2100MHz 3G license auction, starting this afternoon … We’re talking about a game- according to the deputy head of the Presidential changing speed.’ The provider intends to expand the Administration Dmitry Shimkiv, who named the date on 10Gbps speeds eastwards in mid-2015, with services his Facebook social network page. As reported by the costing USD399 per month. (December 24, 2014) telegeography.com same publication, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the terms of the 3G license tender and Prime Minister signed Connect America Fund-supported rural broadband the necessary Cabinet decree. (December 2, 2014) ProIT rollouts must deliver the same speeds that 99% of urban Americans enjoy, the Federal Communications United Kingdom Commission (FCC) has declared in an order adopted late last week. As such, the FCC has adjusted its BT has announced a trial of what it calls 2011-imposed requirement of down/uplink speeds ‘fiber-to-the-basement’ broadband of 4Mbps/1Mbps, raising the download threshold to network architecture in the City of London 10Mbps. With the adoption of this new order, the FCC to boost internet speeds for hard-to-reach notes that it is prepared to make offers of support businesses and homes. The trial will see around 50 small- totaling nearly US$1.8 billion annually to a class of larger to-medium enterprises (SMEs) based at 65 London Wall carriers known as ‘price cap carriers’ in early 2015, which and 225 homes in the Middlesex Street Estate offered will potentially help to expand services to more than five access to download speeds of up to 80Mbps ‘from more million rural Americans. The order also makes changes than 130 different service providers’. In certain areas that will distribute traditional universal service support there is a lack of physical space for BT to install street fiber for small carriers more equitably and curb waste. cabinets, and the fiber-to-the-basement trial addresses (December 15, 2014) telegeography.com this situation by extending the fiber directly into the building, although BT is differentiating its latest trial US mobile giant Verizon Wireless is in the process of local access method from fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) refarming its 1900MHz PCS spectrum for 4G Long Term networks. The City of London Corporation has previously Evolution (LTE) use. Technology website GigaOm quotes

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Mike Haberman, vice president of network operations, as internet sector through improved network coverage and saying that Verizon is initially rolling out LTE technology increased customer take-up. He added that broadband over its PCS spectrum in ten markets, starting with services play a ‘vital role’ in underpinning the national Manhattan (New York). Although Haberman declined economy. Zimbabwe was home to just 48,500 fixed to reveal the other cities in which spectrum will be broadband subscribers at the end of September 2014, refarmed, anecdotal evidence suggests that the process equivalent to a household penetration rate of just is also underway in Cleveland (Ohio). The strategy was 1.5%, a full three percentage points below the regional always on the cards for Verizon, given that 79% of its average. (December 18, 2014) Techzim data traffic was said to be carried over its LTE network as of 3Q14. Nevertheless, Haberman told GigaOm that The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Verizon has committed to support EV-DO until at least Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is advocating network December 31, 2019. (December 8, 2014) telegeography.com sharing between operators to promote the spread of telecoms networks. The watchdog says infrastructure T-Mobile US has lined up a number of additional 700MHz sharing on an open access model could save operators spectrum deals with regional license holders, Fierce up to 60% of their capital expenditure, freeing up funds Wireless reports, citing filings made with the Federal to push towards universal broadband access and more Communications Commission. As such, T-Mobile has affordable communications services. POTRAZ has agreed terms with BEK Communications Cooperative published a consultation paper on the use of shared for licenses covering Bismark and Kidder, North Dakota. networks, in which it says: ‘Infrastructure sharing Meanwhile, the deal with Big Wave Ventures, which is provides opportunities for significant reduction in backed by Phoenix-based Smartcomm, covers two A investments or capital expenditure,’ adding that: ‘passive block licenses, one in Wheeling, West Virginia, and infrastructure sharing can potentially yield overall cost one in Lubbock, Texas. Finally, the transaction with savings as much as between 15% and 30%, with clear Vulcan Wireless includes a concession covering the cost savings on yearly site capital expenditure of up Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area in Washington and the to 60% [notably due to less investment duplications]’. Portland-Salem area in Oregon. T-Mobile agreed to Zimbabwe is home to three cellular network operators pay Verizon Wireless US$2.37 billion for a substantial – Econet Wireless, Telecel and state-owned NetOne – package of 700MHz A block spectrum in January 2014, while the fixed market is monopolized by NetOne’s sister before going on to secure 700MHz spectrum covering company TelOne. (December 4, 2014) telegeography.com a further 18 million people from a number of smaller players. Recent transactions notwithstanding, the cellco presides over 700MHz A block frequencies covering 176 million people, or 55% of the population. These frequencies are said to encompass nine of the top ten metropolitan markets and 22 of the top 30 metro areas. (December 2, 2014) telegeography.com

Venezuela Venezuelan telecoms watchdog CONATEL announced that it has awarded 4G spectrum to Movilnet, owned by state- telco Cantv, Movistar and DirecTV. The regulator awarded spectrum in both the AWS and 2.5GHz bands. CONATEL’s head William Castillo said that some of the country’s main cities will have 4G services by mid-2015. CONATEL previously said it expects total investments in 4G infrastructures by public and private telcos in the country to reach some US$ 2 billion within the next five years. Mobile operator Digitel already offers LTE services in Venezuela. (December 3, 2014) telecompaper.com Zimbabwe The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has revealed that it is to begin working on a new National Broadband Plan in 2015 in an effort to boost the country’s high speed internet sector, as well as the wider economy. The regulator says it will produce a draft plan after studying the development of internet markets around the world, before giving local telcos and internet service providers (ISPs) an opportunity to comment on its proposals. The final plan will then go to parliament for approval. Acting director general of POTRAZ Baxton Sirewu told that the aim of the project is to promote the development of the Javaid Akhtar Malik Regulatory Affairs SAMENA Telecommunications Council

“Information contained herein has been obtained from sources, which we deem reliable. SAMENA Telecommunications Council is not liable for any misinformed decisions that the reader may reach by being solely reliant on information contained herein. Expert advice should be sought.”

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wholesale NEWS

Uncertainty rules in New of NZ$2.14. Others were not so happy. Major retailer Spark said it is undertaking Zealand broadband an urgent review of broadband and fixed pricing row voice customer pricing following the announcement. “Today’s announcement Internet service providers and industry is unexpected and we are now facing groups are lamenting yet another draft costs approximately NZ$60 million a year wholesale broadband price ruling by higher than we previously anticipated. the Commerce Commission, saying that These higher costs will affect all our it has added further uncertainty to the fixed services, not just broadband market. The regulator released draft services,” managing director Simon decisions for consultation this morning, Moutter commented. Industry group setting proposed wholesale prices that InternetNZ said it was displeased that the WHOLESALE network operator Chorus can charge announcement didn’t provide certainty for its local copper lines and broadband for the industry, and disappointed the Updates service. The Commerce Commission price was higher than those set in 2012 set a price of NZ$28.22 a month for its and 2013. In a statement, InternetNZ unbundled copper local loop (UCLL), chief executive Jordan Carter focused up from the NZ$23.52 set through on the commission’s refusal to take a international benchmarking at the end position on backdating. “We’ve had of 2012. Chorus’ unbundled bitstream a legal opinion that suggests that access (UBA) service was set at NZ$10.17 backdating should not be put in place,” a month, a small decrease from the he said. “We don’t understand why the NZ$10.92 set at the end of 2013. In total, Commerce Commission didn’t take the wholesale price for the UBA service the opportunity to provide certainty will therefore be NZ$38.39 a month, when that is what every part of the compared to $34.44, which was a massive industry has called out for.” Carter said price cut from the $44.98 a month that the commission has released a “stack of Chorus has been able to charge for documentation” and asked organizations the past few years. Chorus’ share price to digest that and make comment in a has taken a battering for months since very short time frame. “We’re grateful the 2012 and 2013 prices were set. that the commission says that it will However, the market reacted positively consider requests for extensions, and to the prospect of some price relief, we hope that isn’t an idle offer,” he said. sending the company’s shares as high as “From our perspective, it’s important that NZ$2.52 this morning from an opening we get this process right, not rushed.”

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Spark’s Moutter said the retailer had brands in 16 cities across the country cent fixed-line broadband penetration been anticipating a NZ$10 reduction over a three-year trial period. The draft rate at the end of December stayed in broadband costs for the past two policy’s stated goals are to step up behind those of developed economies, years, and that has been reflected in infrastructure development, improve such as 39 per cent in France and 29 its pricing. “But what we didn’t expect service quality and promote market per cent in both the US and Japan was a NZ$5 increase in the cost for a competition. Its “private ownership” residential or business line – for both business model slated for trials required broadband and standalone voice more investment and provide higher Interconnect Clearing services. All of this comes on top potential margins, compared with the of recently implemented increases “cooperative” and “resale” models also House to provide in Chorus connection charges for suggested in the consultation paper. common mechanism for broadband services.” Moutter said Industry analysts, however, indicated intense competition meant the that the lack of regulated wholesale telecoms companies anticipated reduction in wholesale pricing in the new policy would The Interconnect Clearing House will broadband charges had already flowed put participating companies at a provide a common, independent through into retail broadband prices. disadvantage in negotiations with the mechanism, to resolve disputes “Given today’s decision, we feel we large, incumbent broadband network and the settlement of interconnect have no choice but to undertake an operators like China Telecom and China accounting traffic for all the existing urgent review of our current pricing Unicom. Chris Lane, a senior analyst at and future Operators in Ghana. across both voice and broadband Bernstein Research, said in a report on Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, plans.” Moutter echoed InternetNZ’s Monday that the private ownership Minister of Communications said, concern, saying with the possibility of model gives participating companies when established in Ghana, the backdating any increase to December 1, “an opening to cherry-pick attractive Interconnect Clearing House would, for instance, help to resolve disputes 2014, there is considerable uncertainty areas – such as new developments such as was made to his office by about when the new charges will take where gaining access is easier and MTN against Expresso for transiting effect. “This means we will need to cheaper”. He added, however that new and terminating international traffic, take a conservative view now to hedge entrants “typically need to discount using masked or blank Caller Line against any financial exposure from heavily to attract users … this practice Identification (CLI) on its network. He the final decision.” Moutter said he is puts further pressure on returns”. In said Cabinet has already approved not criticizing the regulator, but that addition, the incumbent operators are the policy for the implementation of the announcement highlighted the also expected to discount aggressively the Interconnect Clearing House, and challenges retail broadband providers in those areas where they have to that consultations had already been face with a shifting outlook for their compete against start-up broadband held with stakeholders, including underlying costs. “We led an initiative operators. Anand Ramachandran, the telecom service providers. Dr. seeking an agreed industry solution Barclays’ head of telecommunications, Omane Boamah made these remarks on Wednesday in Accra in a speech for wholesale broadband charges, and internet and media equity research read on his behalf by Mr Issah Yahaya, we also welcomed the government’s for Asia, excluding Japan, said in a Chief Director of the Ministry, during a attempt to provide this certainty report that since wholesale prices public forum on Interconnect Clearing through legislation,” he said. Neither for broadband resources are to be House System in Ghana, organized has come to pass, and pricing has been negotiated between the participants by the National Communications guided by the prices the commission and the operators, this could “restrict Authority (NCA). He said government set in 2012 and 2013 private enterprises’ ability to provide has taken policy decisions as part aggressive pricing to end consumers”. of regulatory enhancements, to Both Barclays and Bernstein saw improve telecommunications Opening of China’s fixed the lack of regulated wholesale oversight in Ghana, which include the pricing resulting in the trials having establishment of Interconnect Clearing broadband market may no meaningful impact against the House License system for regulation incumbent broadband operators. That of telecommunications. The rest are falter without regulated the introduction of International absence would make the trial much pricing Wholesale Carrier License, the like the way private 3G service resellers implementation of Unified Access Beijing’s plan to widen private have had no effect on the incumbent Service License and Renewal of Mobile enterprise participation in the mobile operators. That lesson was Telecom licenses, and the introduction mainland’s fixed-line broadband learned by the private internet of Mobile Network Operations License. market may falter, similar to the services providers which participated He said the Communications sector liberalization effort in the mobile in government-set trials in 2001. in Ghana had witnessed tremendous sector, because entrepreneurs will be Shanghai-traded Dr. Peng Telecom & improvements since its liberalization and reforms undertaken in the middle hard-pressed to eke out a profit. Under Media Group, which operates fixed- line broadband services in 53 cities nineteen-nineties. Dr. Omane Boamah a consultation paper released by the observed that Ghana is recognized by Ministry of Industry and Information and has 6.2 million subscribers, was “barely earning sufficient returns to the International Telecommunication Technology last week, qualified private Union (ITU) as one of most dynamic ICT justify its cost of capital”, Lane said. The companies will be able to build an countries in the world. He said this was firm had 5.8 billion yuan in revenue last access network and source bandwidth in recognition of a supportive enabling capacity from the mainland’s three year. China Telecom and Unicom have environment for investment relying nationwide telecommunications a combined 174.91 million fixed-line on a forward-looking national ICT for operators so they can resell fixed-line broadband subscribers at the end of development policy, pro-business, broadband services under their own October. But the mainland’s 14 per telecommunications regulatory

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 regime, abundance of broadband urged the NCA to be involved in the subscriber control over their data capacity, Applications technology, implementation of the Interconnect roaming options, greater insight into and the increasing deployment of Clearing House System in Ghana. their roaming usage and the ability Value Added Services. He said modern The NCA will start implementing the to maintain roaming costs. Saad telecommunications and technology Interconnect Clearing House in Ghana Odeh, VIVA Bahrain Chief Wholesale development are key instruments in by June, 2015, and all telecos are and Enterprise Officer, said: “VIVA, in the transformation of the country, and required to comply with it. collaboration with Syniverse, allows the expansion of the national economy to achieve a lower middle income customers to control their data usage status. The Minister said substantial Liquid Telecom expects while travelling abroad. The service investments in terrestrial optic fiber offers different controlled packages in infrastructure, the introduction of LTE first Zimbabwe fiber selected countries that fit the specific Four Generation technology, and the needs of individuals. Additionally, it competition in the submarine optic resellers to launch in allows customers to manage their fiber cable infrastructure market, have January costs and avoid ‘bill shock’ by alerting ensured widespread availability of them via text message when they broadband and massive bandwidth Liquid Telecom this week said it expects reach specific amounts of spending.” for data transmission and adequate the first wholesale customers of its High rates of smart phone penetration, capacity for internet connectivity. 100 Mbps fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) alongside highly competitive pricing He said the country possesses 12.3 network in Zimbabwe to begin offering structures, have created a dynamic Terabits capacity for international services to end users in January. Liquid market in the Middle East. The region’s connectivity, nearly a quarter of the Telecom, which offers wholesale and sub-region’s total capacity. He noted smart phone penetration is projected that with the fast pace of technological retail network services across Africa, to grow nearly 40% by 2015, which developments in the industry, acquired Zimbabwean fiber operator will help MENA take the lead as especially in the era of convergence, it ZOL in 2012. ZOL is currently the only the second-largest mobile phone was now possible for the same medium retail ISP selling consumer broadband population of any region in the world, to be employed for the transmission services on the fiber network; however, according to eMarketer’s latest Global of both voice and data, for which Liquid Telecom said the situation will Media Intelligence Report. “Voice reason communications regulations change next year. “We are in discussions and messaging services have long require periodic review to cover the with two” ISPs, said David Eurin, group been must-haves for mobile users, deployment of Next Generation commercial strategy director at Liquid and today, data services are equally Network (NGN) infrastructure. “The Telecom, at the Total Telecom Festival vital,” said Nour Al Atassi, Regional strategic nature of communications in London on Tuesday. He said the Vice President and Managing Director, technology requires transparency and unnamed service providers “have the accountability form service providers Middle East and Africa, Syniverse. back office systems up and running… that will respond to the sovereign interests of the countries in which they January should see them begin operate,” the Minister stated. “Times are reselling services.” Elsewhere, Liquid Danish watchdog changing and we in Ghana will change Telecom’s FTTH network in Zambia is publishes final LRAIC with the times. Let us be reminded that in a test phase and will soon be ready the provisions of the World Conference to offer commercial services. In Kenya, model for fixed networks on International Telecommunications Liquid Telecom’s fiber deployment is Telecoms watchdog the Danish 2012 come into effect next year and concentrated on multi-dwelling units Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen) this will also affect the operation of because the market is much more has published its final decision with telecom services.” He said its provisions competitive. “In Kenya we have a very, on International mobile roaming regards to the Long-Run Average very focused approach,” Eurin noted. Incremental Cost (LRAIC) model for require increased transparency “Each market is different…it is almost in international mobile roaming fixed networks used to determine LRAIC impossible to copy and paste in Africa.” charges, and to foster competition, based costs for certain (wholesale) which should benefit consumers. “In Liquid Telecom also plans to launch an access and interconnection services fostering an enabling environment for FTTH network in Rwanda in the second in Denmark for the period between 1 the greater growth of the Internet, it quarter of 2015 as well as in another January 2015 and 31 December 2015. discourages unsolicited bulk electronic two countries at some point next year. Under the final decision, wholesale communications (spam), and calls on prices of fixed line broadband will countries to take measures to prevent be reduced for the aforementioned its propagation. “More important are Syniverse and VIVA period, in order to ‘give companies the Provisions to deal with misuse an even better opportunity to offer of numbering resources: ‘Member expand roaming States shall endeavor to ensure that agreement in Bahrain cheaper broadband services for the international calling line identification benefit of their customers.’ Helle (CLI) information is provided taking VIVA Bahrain has signed an agreement Bojen Larsen, Head of Division at into account the relevant ITU-T with Syniverse to bring its customers a the Erhvervsstyrelsen, said: ‘The Recommendations. “In this respect, it selection of new, highly-customizable Danish LRAIC model is developed in is appropriate for Ghana to introduce data roaming packages. With this accordance with the latest European the policy guidelines such as the innovative service, pre- and post- Commission (EC) guidelines. One issuance of the Interconnect Clearing paid users will enjoy a hassle-free of the pillars is to ensure the right House License,” he said. Mr. Ikechukwu roaming experience. The solution balance between competition and Nnamani, President and Chief Executive suite, which includes Syniverse’s investment. The Danish Business Officer of Medallion Communications, Authority believes that the new, lower Nigeria, which provides interconnect Data Roaming Packs and Bill Shock wholesale prices provide increased exchange clearinghouse services, Prevention, is designed to give the

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 opportunities for competition in agreements with other cellcos. Whilst send texts,” said culture secretary Sajid the Danish market, without having awaiting a full decision on the case, Javid, in a statement. “Government investment opportunities weakened. the DoT had also sought a stay on and businesses have been clear about the TDSAT decision, which would the importance of mobile connectivity, prevent operators from making use and improved coverage, so this legally EC urges Germany to of 3G roaming whilst the matter is binding agreement will give the settled. According to TeleGeography’s U.K. the world-class mobile phone withdraw or amend FTR GlobalComms Database, the matter coverage it needs and deserves,” proposal has been back and forth through he said. By accepting new coverage India’s byzantine court and regulatory obligations, EE, O2, Vodafone and 3 Following an in-depth investigation, systems since the end of 2011. Prior have avoided the possibility of being the European Commission (EC) has to the sale of the 3G concessions, the forced to establish national roaming concluded that the approach of the regulator had told prospective bidders agreements with one another, an German telecoms regulator, the Federal that they would be allowed to offer idea proposed by the government in Network Agency (FNA, also known as services in circles where they did not November that was unpopular with Bundesnetzagentur or BNetzA), for the hold concessions via agreements the operators. “A partnership between calculation of fixed termination rates with other cellcos. In December 2011 government and the mobile operators (FTRs) does not follow the European however, the DoT reneged on its is required to maximize coverage Union (EU) recommended approach promise and banned the practice and across the U.K., so this agreement is and leads to competition and issued fines totaling around INR12 a good outcome for our customers,” consumer harm. According to the FNA, billion (USD189.4 million). said O2 COO Derek McManus. “It will FTRs for alternative fixed operators will support investment in our network, be based on the previously applied while ensuring that strong competition methodology for incumbent operator UK mobile operators remains between the different Telekom Deutschland (TD), but the EC networks.” EE, Vodafone and 3UK says that, if adopted, the new rates in avoid national roaming expressed similar sentiments. “The £5 Germany would be over 200% higher with £5bn pledge to billion investment from the mobile than in member states that follow the networks in the U.K.’s infrastructure EC’s recommendation. Brussels says it stamp out not-spots will help drive this government’s long- now requires the FNA to withdraw its Service providers agree to provide term economic plan,” said Javid. proposal or to amend it in order to voice, SMS coverage to 90% of the bring it in line with the EC’s guidelines. country by 2017. The U.K. government In its proposal, the FNA defined FTRs struck a deal on Thursday that will see Tele2 Deploys 4G LTE that should apply retrospectively as the country’s four mobile operators of December 1, 2012 until November Network in Tula Region; jointly spend £5 billion to eliminate 30, 2014. In April 2013 the EC criticized so-called ‘not-spots’ by 2017. EE, O2, the German regulator’s method for Launches Roaming Vodafone and 3UK have agreed to calculating FTRs for TD and in August guarantee voice and SMS coverage in Puerto Rico and 2013 issued a recommendation directing the FNA to amend or Paraguay withdraw the proposal. However, the Sweden-based operator Tele2 has German watchdog did not follow the commercially launched its 4G network recommended guidelines, and now in the Tula Region, Russia on the intends to set FTRs for the remaining 1800 MHz frequencies using its own operators following the same approach 2G infrastructure. This marks a major it applied for TD. shift from its earlier launches of 3G services in St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, which were based on Supreme Court rejects Tele2 and Rostelecom integrated networks. In a separate news, Tele2 is stay on TDSAT 3G launching roaming services in Puerto roaming decision Rico and Paraguay in partnership with Claro Networks, allowing its India’s Supreme Court has declined to subscribers to use mobile Internet stay a ruling by the Telecom Dispute and automatic voice roaming at cost- Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) efficient prices – 65 rubles per minute to 90% of the U.K.’s geographic area, permitting the employment of 3G for incoming and outgoing calls and thereby halving the number of partial roaming pacts, Live Mint writes. The 12 rubles for SMS and MMS. Tele2 not-spots and reducing complete Department of Telecommunications customers roaming to these countries not-spots by two thirds. The deal (DoT) is looking to block a TDSAT ruling will receive quick updates on expenses will amend their license conditions from April this year which overturned and account balances. Tele2 has also and is therefore legally binding and the DoT’s ban on 3G roaming and enabled mobile Internet roaming in enforceable by regulator OFCOM. quashed fines levied by the regulator these two countries - priced at 50 “Too many parts of the U.K. regularly on Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and rubles per 1 megabyte. Tele2 said suffer from poor mobile coverage Vodafone India for offering 3G services that favorable prices will enable its leaving them unable to make calls or outside of their licensed areas through subscribers to continue using data

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 the way they are used to - whether big deal – you drive or fly to your Home” still seems to be the best they are accessing the social media, destination and when it came to deal. It is also good to know that communicating via the instant communicating, you picked up a Bell now has the better speed than messaging service, reading emails landline and made your long distance TELUS. or browsing the Internet. Ealier this of collect call. The only thing that month, the service provider has ‘roamed’ back then were the buffalo Vodafone suspends launched mobile data and voice on the western plains. With the roaming in Slovakia via partnership advancement of the Smartphone, data roaming in Dubai, with O2. many landlines are disappearing – Abu Dhabi, UAE we haven’t had a landline in years… like we need another $40 a month Vodafone Australia customers will no Bell adds AT&T LTE to its bill. We take our cellphone with longer be able to use Smartphone us everywhere and use it as our data roaming in the United Arab US roaming repertoire only means of communication. Emirates from January 1, 2015, leaving many travelers disconnected Bell has added AT&T LTE to its However, cellphones need towers in the popular destinations and stop- roaming repertoire. The second- for our signals and if you stray too over cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. biggest US carrier famously worked far from your home area, there is a Although voice and text messaging out a reciprocal LTE roaming nasty roaming charge attached to services will still be available, agreement with Rogers late last your next bill. Roaming rates are Vodafone will disable data roaming year, and it appears that Bell has generally very high when compared across the UAE “due to a change in worked out a similar deal. According to the normal rates – the Quebec the arrangements with our roaming to Bell’s updated US roaming site, City Mayor Regis Labeaume just partners,” a spokesperson for the AT&T service can now be accessed recently ran up a $20,000 bill on Band 4 and Band 17 LTE, meaning due to roaming charges both AWS and 700MHz-supported while in ‘Rome’ (yes, I see phones will find a signal. T-Mobile is the irony) and another also a partner, offering AWS-based $2,106 bill using his tablet 3G. Bell still doesn’t have the best in the U.S. The carriers try prices for US roaming, matching to sign agreements with TELUS’s new plans but not quite other carriers to allow their competing with Rogers’ Roam Like subscribers to ‘roam’ on Home deal, but it’s great to know the other network – they that it has a leg up on TELUS in the try to work out a deal to speed department. reduce costs. Even the Canadian Government has passed new laws that limit Bell And AT&T LTE the amount that carriers within Canada can charge Join Up To Offer Bell each other. However, once you leave the country, those laws carrier told Australian Business Roaming In The U.S. no longer apply. AT&T in the U.S. Traveler. Vodafone’s current contract When two neighboring countries are seems to be on the forefront of with UAE mobile network operators on the same continent, like the U.S. setting up agreements with our expires at the end of 2014 and the and Canada, the citizens generally Canadian brethren – last year at this company has yet to settle on the do a lot of traveling back and forth time they firmed up and agreement terms and costs of new contracts. between the countries. Many have with Rogers and just recently, they “We apologize for this inconvenience relatives, friends or even conducting have struck a deal with Bell. If you and recommend customers use business that requires travel. Before go to Bell’s updated U.S. roaming available wi-fi services from their the day of cellphones, it was no rates, on Band 4 and Band 17 LTE, devices” the spokesperson said. AT&T service can There’s no estimate as to when now be accessed… Vodafone data roaming will resume meaning that both in the UAE. Qantas’ partner Emirates AWS and 700Mhz routes all flights through its home supported devices hub of Dubai, while Virgin Australia will be able to partner and stakeholder Etihad find a signal. Airways calls Abu Dhabi home. A partnering The UAE has yet to join Vodafone’s agreement with growing roster of countries on its T-Mobile is $5/day roaming scheme, so prices offering AWS- are set at $1/minute to make and based 3G as well. receive phone calls and 75c to send The prices are not an SMS message (receiving texts is the lowest by any free). means, but come close to TELUS’. Rogers’ “Roam Like

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Companies can then build or tweak products for the relevant micro- segment. This distilled data can also be used to identify exactly how to convey offerings to the micro-segment so that the chances of a successful sale are maximized. For example, if such customers tend to visit a particular sports site just after their favorite team has played, a well-placed and well- timed advert on that site may reap dividends.

The telecom industry offers one example of a sector which can benefit greatly from micro-segmentation. In many emerging markets, the industry has reached saturation point. Poring through crudely segmented data is costly and inefficient because excessive attention is paid to the many customers now generating little return, with insufficient focus on those offering the likeliest prospect of growth. By adopting a micro- Unscrambling Big Data segmentation process, companies can locate specific demand with more precision and speed. For example, The seemingly infinite amount of Customers will be more likely if a niche group of customers in the internal and external information to respond positively to these United Arab Emirates are frequently available to companies can easily lead approaches, with growth resulting sending texts to friends in Oman, the to analysis paralysis. Companies can from the pooled profitability of each mobile phone operator can detect search through large data sets, but can micro-segment. From the company’s their behavior and offer an additional end up with few insights that are useful perspective, it enables investment on service with discounted international for identifying growth opportunities. marketing campaigns to be channeled rates to Oman. If another micro- Instead, by using digital visualization productively, and helps to increase segment is downloading its favorite techniques to transform the mass customer “stickiness” and loyalty. shows on tablets, the mobile operator of customer data into small micro- can suggest an additional service to segments, companies can produce In the past, segmentation for improve viewing quality and speed of offerings tailored for individuals, using marketing purposes has been based download. the most effective channel to reach on broad demographic criteria, that particular person. such as age, gender, income and The revenue impact of this targeted education. The huge expansion of formula can be dramatic. By 2011, data at companies’ disposal makes it Turkcell, the largest mobile operator possible for this demographic material in Turkey, had been confronting a to be supplemented by numerous continual fall in customer retention, other factors which differentiate one and flattening subscription growth. In customer from another in their needs response, the company introduced an and preferences. For example, we can initiative which presented a new real- determine which days and time an time view of the data from all its 34 individual is more likely to be active million customers. Turkcell started to online, which websites he habitually offer them the right product at the visits, his product preferences, and the right time, based on their individual frequency of using smartphones to needs and preferences. make purchases. This solution resulted in the marketing Data visualization facilitates cycle time being drastically reduced, microsegmentation. By experimenting and in an increase of approximately with a multitude of variables, discrete US$15 million in gross revenue in and homogeneous micro-segments 2011. By breaking down the mass start to emerge in vivid graphic form of amorphous information into out of the plethora of data. Marketers homogeneous chunks in this way, can actually see niche groups companies can wrest control of the Hicham Fadel comprising customers with a very data environment for their own Principal similar demographic and behavioural strategic benefit, rather than allow Strategy& profile. themselves to be intimidated and paralyzed by it.

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Technology NEWS

It’s cheaper to roam on prototype systems that will serve more mobile users, enable a multitude of new Cloud 9 services on the same frequency, as well as offer data speeds that are orders of Irish regulator ComReg has decided magnitude faster than today - competitive operators should start allowing their to existing cable and wired internet subscribers to access discount roaming access speeds. The phased-array design companies’ services without paying a allows for more directional antennas set-up fee. UK-based roaming provider that are electrically-steerable and will Cloud 9, which claims to offer services ‘on have significant weight and flexibility one easy affordable SIM card,’ reportedly advantages over existing mechanical contested set-up fees and recurring antennas. The outcome of these monthly costs charged by operators technological advances will integrate Eircom and Vodafone Ireland, instigating on the order of a hundred antennas and Technology radios on a single chip smaller than a credit a dispute where the latter two argued that card in size, greatly facilitating the use Updates without these charges they would have of these technologies for high-capacity no guarantee of regular income from small cells in indoor spaces and dense roaming services. ComReg has ruled that downtown areas. Dr. Mehmet Soyuer, European law requires operators to allow Manager of the Communication and third party network access free of charge Computation Subsystems Department, and that set-up fees are ‘not permissible,’ IBM Research says: “We have accumulated thus declaring Cloud 9 will not be over 10 years of experience in developing expected to pay most of the charges. radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit and packaging solutions, demonstrating highly integrated phased arrays for various applications. We look forward to IBM and Ericsson collaborating with Ericsson to help shape Collaborate on 5G Antenna the future of mobile communications.” Designs Ericsson and IBM have announced Huawei releases a new collaboration to jointly research phased array antenna designs for 5G, allowing octa-core Kirin 620 chipset networks to provide customers with data Huawei has introduced a new addition to speeds orders of magnitude faster than its own processor family. The Huawei Kirin what is available currently. Ericsson and 620 system-on-a-chip is definitely not a IBM said that they will research phased- top of the line chipset, but is nonetheless array antenna techniques to develop

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a solid performer, designed for mid- for interoperability and performance. are actively engaged in building out ranged devices. The CPU has a 64-bit A beta trial of the certification their 4G LTE infrastructure and in the architecture and comes with 8 cores, program is planned for the middle last quarter, rolled out almost 6,000 clocked at 1.2GHz. It is a 28nm chip, of next year which should mean new base stations in Russia between based on the Cortex-A53 with LPDDR3 certified G.fast deployments by the them taking the total to 27,500 by RAM support. As far as connectivity end of 2015. BT has already touted end-September (5,815 BTS: 3Q13, 842 goes, it will offer GSM / TD-SCDMA / its work using G.fast. Trials at its BTS: 3Q12). In terms of distribution, WCDMA / TD-LTE /LTE FDD support, Adastral Park research lab in Ipswich MegaFon had deployed a total of as well as Cat. 4 LTE for speeds up to showed speeds of 786Mbps over a 11,500 LTE-enabled BTS at end- 150Mbps. The GPU used is a Mali450 19m piece of copper and uploads of September, compared to 10,900 for MP4, which is a little dated. Camera 231Mbps. Over a longer 66m copper MTS and just 5,100 for Vimpelcom. support is limited to a 13MP sensor, connection, tests achieved downloads Meanwhile, the study found that as of while video encoding and decoding of 696Mbps and uploads of 200Mbps. 1 December this year, the three MNOs capabilities can handle up to 1080p The 66m results are particularly had rolled out 4G services to 77 license resolutions at 30Hz. All in all, Huawei’s notable as this is the average length regions across the Russian Federation, new Kirin 620 is set to be a fairly of a copper connection between a of which only 13 were served by just mid-level SoC, with performance premise and the BT network, so there one of the big three, namely: Belgorod comparable to that of Qualcomm’s is significant potential for G.fast to region, Voronezh region, Transbaikalia, Snapdragon 410. Both are 64-bit chips boost broadband connections around the Jewish Autonomous Region, with a clock speed of 1.2GHz, but the the UK. In a statement sent to V3, BT Kurgan region, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kirin 620 has the advantage of having said it welcomed the news that the Udmurtia, Komi, Karelia, Kostroma, 8 cores. Not that this necessarily standard had been approved, and said Krasnodar region, Tula and Ulyanovsk translates to better real world it work closely with those developing region. Finally, the firm confirmed that performance, especially in an Android kit to see how it could fit into their four regions – Kamchatka, Magadan, handset, but one would assume so. commercial deployments. “We expect Norilsk and Chukotka – are currently The Mali 450 GPU could potentially be fully standardized commercial kit to without 4G. a drawback in the long run, but for the be available from the vendors over time being, Huawei seems to have a the next year, and we will then need solid market share contender. to trial it,” it said in a statement. “We ITU launches Ebola-Info- have made no decisions about the deployment of G.FAST technology Sharing mobile app ITU approves super yet, but we see it as a very promising ITU has launched a free mobile technology with significant potential – Application to be used in the speed G.fast 1Gbps that’s why we’re putting some of our campaign against the Ebola disease broadband standard best minds on the case to assess it outbreak. The “Ebola-Info-Sharing” fully.” mobile App facilitates coordination A new broadband standard called among organisations responding to G.fast that could provide speeds as the Ebola crisis and offers the general high as 1Gbps has been approved by Russian research firm public access to the latest Ebola news the International Telecommunications from official sources, including an Union (ITU). The standard provides far tests the living daylights interactive map on Ebola. “Information faster speeds over the final distance and communication technologies are of copper that connects a home or out of 4G now critical components of emergency business to the wider broadband Russia-based research firm TDaily telecommunications not only when network. This means that the speed on says it has conducted the first fully natural disasters strike, but also during the main fiber network is maintained independent study into the quality of epidemics such as the Ebola disease all the way to the final connection, Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile data outbreak,” said ITU Secretary-General rather than dropping off as currently services provided by the so-called Hamadoun I. Touré. “The “Ebola-Info- happens. ITU Secretary General ‘Big Three’ – Vimplecom (Beeline), Sharing” App not only, according to Hamadoun Touré explained that the MegaFon and Mobile TeleSystems ITU, enhances prevention, diagnosis, approval of the standard paves the (MTS) – using methodology proposed treatment and monitoring of diseases way for vastly improved broadband by market regulator Roskomnadzor but also strengthens healthcare services. “The time from G.fast’s and approved by the Ministry of systems through improvements in approval to its implementation looks Communications (MinSvyaz). In a two- emergency response, healthcare set to be the fastest of any access month study carried out in November practitioner support, healthcare technology in recent memory,” he and December, the agency investigated surveillance and administration.” said. “A range of vendors has begun 4G mobile internet access in 15 cities Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s shipping G.fast silicon and equipment, with a population of more than one Telecommunication Development and service providers’ lab and field million, to identify the strengths and Bureau stated that: “With such trials are well underway.” However, weaknesses of the trio in terms of the unprecedented computing power in while the standard has now been quality of their services and coverage the palm of our hands it is imperative approved, it is likely to be at least a area. TDaily found that in the cities that we harness mobile technology year before the services become studied, MegaFon performed best – to serve humanity and especially in mainstream. The Broadband Forum will in terms of 4G data rates – in eight of combating epidemics. Partnerships now host a test suite and certification them, ahead of Vimpelcom (four) and are key to the success of a collective program for G.fast systems so that MTS (three). It noted that the three global response to fight epidemics like communication providers can test kit mobile network operators (MNOs)

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Ebola.” The App is currently available industry with commercialization of the and around 50 SMEs based at 65 for Android mobile devices and will world’s leading modem technology, London Wall. This will bring speeds soon be available for iOS devices. delivering fast and reliable cellular of 80Mbps, compared with previous data connectivity solutions. This speeds of up to 20Mbps. Garner said provides speedy application that this could prove a viable solution Qualcomm Upgrades performance and feature richness to the problems that have hindered across greater coverage areas enabled such rollouts “We are optimistic that Smartphone Chips by LTE Category 9 connectivity,” said this new solution will prove that to Support 450Mbps Alex Katouzian, senior vice president fiber broadband can be installed into of product management, Qualcomm building basements quickly, smoothly Download Speeds Technologies, Inc. “With powerful and economically,” he said. “It could Qualcomm announced that its processors like the Snapdragon 810, also have the added benefit of being Snapdragon 810 processor will we look forward to continuing to less disruptive for our customers and add support for LTE Category 9 drive LTE innovation in the high tier to the general public.” The rollout comes Carrier Aggregation connectivity. ensure exceptional user experiences amid a period of intense activity at The Snapdragon 810 processor with as mobile broadband demand grows.” BT as it brings fiber services to some of the most remote areas of the UK. The company is also in the process of negotiating the acquisition of mobile operator EE for £12.5bn.

Qualcomm To Introduce LTE Category 9 With Snapdragon 810 Qualcomm announced that it has finalized testing of LTE Category 9, with the Snapdragon 810 set to be the first SoC to offer the modem. The chipset also comes with an eight- integrated next generation LTE-A BT uses ‘fiber to the core 64-bit CPU and will be featured modem has demonstrated download basement’ broadband in high-end devices next year. With speeds of up to 450 Mbps over three LTE Category 9, customers can expect 20MHz LTE carriers, becoming the deployments for inner download speeds of 410 Mbit/sec, first Snapdragon processor to support city speed boosts which is achieved through Carrier Category 9 Carrier Aggregation. The Aggregation. The technology involves newly announced Category 9 support BT has announced the successful trial combining different spectrums to makes the Snapdragon 810 processor of a new form of fiber broadband provide more bandwidth. Qualcomm the first Qualcomm premium-tier deployment that could solve the has been testing the new modem with processor to feature a fully-integrated problems involved in getting faster carrier EE, which was able to deliver 64-bit multicore CPU and LTE-A services to inner city areas. BT has been the bandwidth by combining a 20MHz multimode modem to support up criticized in the past for not providing channel of 1800MHz spectrum with to 3x20MHz Category 9 Carrier high speed services to businesses another 20MHz of 2.6GHz, followed Aggregation, as well as aggregation in the City of London area. This is by a third 15MHz channel of 2.6GHz across FDD and TDD carriers. The owing to the problems presented by . The major advantages touted by Snapdragon 810 processor with deployments in inner city areas, as Qualcomm with the new modem Category 9 support is anticipated to Openreach CEO Joe Garner explained. are increased reliability and higher be available to our customers in early “City-centre locations present bandwidth, and while LTE Category 9 2015. Category 9 capabilities have unique challenges when it comes to does come with a theoretical limit of been validated with Snapdragon 810 upgrading consumer broadband,” he 410 Mbit/sec, it would be difficult for processor-based tests conducted with said. “For example, there is less room users (at least in the next year or so) multiple commercial network and for us to install a fiber cabinet on the to reach anywhere near that figure in test equipment companies, as well pavement, and it is often harder to real-world testing conditions. While as an over-the-air demonstration in get permission to close roads to do Qualcomm is facing an increased a commercial network environment. the work. “We also need to secure pressure from the likes of MediaTek Utilizing devices powered by the permission from multiple landlords (TPE:2454) in the LTE segment, it still Snapdragon 810 processor, each to run new cables across their land enjoys a majority of the market share test successfully demonstrated the and properties.” However, BT has when it comes to baseband modems. support of 3x Carrier Aggregation trialed a new system called ‘fiber to As for when LTE Category 9 enabled with three LTE component carriers, the basement’ that directly integrates devices will be available to customers, each with a bandwidth of up to 20 fiber broadband kit into the basement it is possible that we’ll see the official MHz, allowing for Category 9 peak of a building, rather than requiring announcements at the Mobile World data rates of up to 450 Mbps in the access to street furniture. BT has used Congress in February, followed by a downlink. “Qualcomm Technologies this method to boost services to 225 launch sometime in the early second continues to be a leader in the mobile homes in the Middlesex Street Estate quarter of 2015.

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And yet, increasing competition, Next Generation Leaders regulatory involvement, and other marketplace factors are now ratcheting up the pressure on revenue and margins for telecom companies in this important region. In order to fully capitalize upon the region’s opportunities, telecom companies will need to broaden offerings, Few global markets are more exciting identify relevant new technologies, and for telecom providers than those of step across traditional industry silos both the Middle East and North Africa. With in terms of products and services as well minimal legacy infrastructure, pockets as leadership talent. of low current-user penetration, and one of the world’s youngest populations, the The next generation of telecom region is ripe with early-adopters who are leadership in the Middle East and North eager to engage and help drive telecom Africa will include those executives who use to the next level. The region’s recent are able to move beyond the traditional telecom industry growth statistics fully operator-oriented mindset and help to demonstrate this significant expansion drive new solutions-oriented businesses and ongoing opportunity. and services that optimize the consumer experience. These leadership teams will require global levels of expertise as well as a close familiarity with local consumer habits and business demands. These leadership teams will also need to respond appropriately to talent localization trends in the region.

CTPartners offers the global reach as well as the local connections and marketplace insights to effectively partner with regional telecom operators in order to meet these potentially transformative leadership challenges and fully capitalize Lilian Poilpot Robert Wilder upon unfolding opportunities. Partner and Head Managing Partner CTPartners Technology CTPartners Technology

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The Market Landscape will have in place a larger proportion services. Today, the applications and The growth of mobile telecom of high-speed connections than the services that a telecom operator offers across the Middle East and North GCC and Levant. or a mobile device can run become Africa represents one of the fastest paramount in defining a competitive growing telecom regions in the world. With more smartphones and better edge. Telecom operators need the According to trade group GSMA, connections available, the MENA next-generation leaders who are between 2008 and 2013, the number region is expected to see data traffic capable of strategically guiding their of unique subscribers in the region grow some 70% annually between companies to those next-generation grew at a compound annual growth 2013 and 2018. That will outstrip the product offerings. rate of 9.5%. That compares to a global growth in every other global region. growth rate of 8.2%. Along with the rapid growth and One growth area that is of particular transformation in the MENA telecom importance in the region is mobile During that same time period, the sector, invariably there are challenges, payment systems. While the specific number of connections—as measured and strong leadership will be required needs can vary between developed by SIM cards—grew at 13.2% in to meet these challenges. Competition and developing marketplaces, strong the MENA region. Perhaps most is rising in the region, including mobile money systems can further from mobile virtual enable and simplify digital commerce network operators and even micro-financing. Kenyan- responding to founded M-Pesa provides just one demand for more example of the positive impact of cost-effective mobile mobile money transfer programs. access. Regulation These services are especially important and taxation of in countries where a large portion of services is generally the population does not have a bank on the rise. And account or even proximity to a bank. the small size of As an example, only 32% of Tunisia’s most countries in population has a bank account, and the region leads to just 10% of Egyptians have a bank a fairly fragmented account, according to World Bank data. marketplace. In the Currently, consumers in most parts of region, only Egypt, the MENA region have access to at Iraq, and Saudi Arabia least one mobile payment service, but currently boast more regulatory restrictions and the inability than 20 million of many money systems to interact subscribers, so smoothly remain as impediments to effectively reaching growth. scale in new products can be a challenge In more remote or less populous for operators in the communities in the region, mobile’s promisingly in the context of budding smallest markets with only a few ability to entertain also provides opportunity for new data and other million subscribers or less. significant opportunity for telecom services, the number of 3G and 4G providers. There are more than 55 connections grew at a compound The Road Ahead million Facebook subscribers in MENA, annual growth rate of 65% during Telecom operators in the region with 28 million logging on daily, usually those years. Bringing such capability to also face the same challenge their from a mobile device. The MENA a region in which half the population peers face globally. New products region is also the world’s second-most is under the age of 25 would seem to and services will be required both to active viewer of YouTube videos, with indicate vast opportunity for rapid and maintain profit margins and to meet Saudi Arabia figuring as the world’s continuing growth. expanding consumer expectations largest viewer, with 90 million videos and demands. viewed each day, more than half of While it is true that the Middle East which are viewed on a mobile device. and North Africa can represent two More devices—including more Maximizing functionality in this space very different markets for telecom powerful devices—in the hands of is critical. operators, they each present consumers, along with better network exceptional business opportunities. coverage, can reliably be expected Mobile capabilities also can play The oil-rich nations of Qatar and to generate greater consumer an important role in the region in the UAE, for instance, have been demand for cleanly functioning data expanding educational offerings, among the world’s fastest adopters management products, social media providing outreach to women, of smartphones, with smartphone services, entertainment options, facilitating disaster response, and connections representing some 80% m-commerce capabilities, security improving healthcare options. Among of total mobile connections in those safeguards, and more. Not ignoring others, Summer Nasief, who leads IBM’s countries, putting them ahead of the opportunities in the business healthcare business in Saudi Arabia, leading digital markets such as those marketplace, operators also are further has pointed to the potential power of in Scandinavia and the U.S. And yet, it developing enterprise and business connectivity for regional healthcare. is forecast that by 2019, North Africa services in parallel with consumer Of course, mobile connectivity and

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social media have clearly proven their To respond to the demand for Beyond leadership development political capabilities in the region as affordability from mobile subscribers skills, the most sought-after senior well. and to bring the discipline executives for MENA’s telecom sector of continuous-improvement would also possess the insight to The New Leadership Paradigm engineering to the leadership team, conceive new strategic avenues for Seizing the significant opportunity telecom operators might look among a company, as well as the ability to at hand in the Middle East and manufacturing executives, especially be effective agents of that change. North Africa will require telecom those from industries that have long This might include a cultural leadership with broadened areas of battled extreme cost sensitivity. transformation as well as a business expertise and strategic vision. In a restructuring. These top leaders business sector that has traditionally Marketing experts with insight on might also recalibrate the targeted been reluctant to bring leaders from consumer sentiments and the ability results paradigm for the company, outside the telecom world into the to win the hearts and minds of highlighting customer-orientation fold, disruptive technologies and new those consumers when designing and creativity as equally critical as business opportunities now demand and presenting new products and operating efficiency. Individuals that telecom operators add executives services will be integral to the next- with this package of leadership with digital, security, marketing, generation telecom leadership team. competencies are, indeed, hard to content, and other areas of expertise These marketing leaders, with their find. to the senior team. greater proximity to customers, are also likely to come from outside Successfully navigating a leadership At the same time, telecom operators the telecom sector, perhaps from transformation as broad in scope as must respond to national trends to sectors that traditionally highly value this will be a sizeable challenge for localize talent teams, so leading the customer-facing skills such as fast- many telecom companies. As experts development of rising local leaders moving consumer goods, retailers, or in global executive search, CTPartners also must be a top priority. With hospitality businesses. has specialists around the globe knowledge of global best practices with knowledge of telecom sector coupled with on-the-ground Meanwhile, the ability to generate trends and best practices, as well as understanding of local business local content that will keep connections to the most qualified issues and the resident talent pool, consumers actively engaged on executive candidates. At the same time, CTPartners is a key ally when building this robust network should not be CTPartners consultants in the MENA a winning executive team in the MENA overlooked by telecom operators. region possess a deep understanding telecom sector. This includes content that appeals of the cultural traditions, regulatory to local sensibilities in the local climate, and market needs on a Many of the new business language. Telecom operators might country-by-country basis, as well as a opportunities—and therefore be well-advised to pursue business close association to local talent. leadership needs—for telecom development leaders who can help operators will be defined by the foster joint ventures or other alliances The opportunities in the MENA convergence of social media, mobility, with regional content providers to region telecom market are nothing and the cloud, all working in service meet this need. less than immense. But for telecom of the consumer. With social media’s operators, putting the next- large community, empowered by To pull together the diverse expertise generation technology, devices, and mobility and the reliable and quick required for this broader, next- services into place is simply the first user experience offered by the generation telecom leadership step. Success will be dependent upon cloud, telecom operators have the team, companies will need to draw taking the second step—putting the opportunity to identify and meet new executive talent from many sources, next-generation leadership in place consumer needs with tailored, value- including other business sectors, and to ensure that the business strategy added services that differentiate the most likely from other global regions. continues to connect with consumers telecom operator in the marketplace. An executive search partner such as well into the future. These demands put a premium on CTPartners, with sector and functional leaders with a consumer-centric and specialists based around the globe, will CTPartners is a leading global executive solutions-oriented mindset. be an invaluable partner in identifying search firm that serves clients with 500 and recruiting the right talent for these professionals and employees, located Central among the broadened leadership roles. Expatriate executives in 44 offices in 24 countries. The firm’s leadership teams exploring these new can bring specialized skills and global global Technology, Media & Telecom products and services for consumers best practices to the company, while Practice includes more than 50 search as well as regional businesses will also helping to evaluate the existing professionals. be digital and data management corporate staff for innovators and experts. To develop products that can other individuals who may be ready to win market share from competitors step into new roles. As these leaders in the burgeoning area of big data will also be instrumental in leading and analytics will most likely require efforts to localize employee teams, leaders who cut their teeth outside expatriate leaders who come to the the telecom sector, perhaps at an region must also demonstrate both advertising agency, software business, the capability and propensity to serve or web-based start-up. Cybersecurity as coaches and mentors to rising local expertise is also a must-have for leaders. telecom operators today.

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Significant scope for capex optimisation exists in both Capex-saving opportunities network and non-network for emerging market operators elements Capex inefficiency in a network is generally driven by use of legacy systems Until recently, operators in emerging markets have focused on building with a focus on immediate requirements, networks and customer acquisition. However, operators’ profit margins and lack of rationalisation and not keeping up cashflow are increasingly squeezed as markets approach saturation, which with technology innovation. Additionally, drives the need for cost optimisation and efficiency. A review of capex will help optimisation is focused on network operators to identify and prioritise opportunities for rationalisation (such as elements (such as RAN, transmission network sharing and increased asset use), and to maintain or improve margins and backhaul, network IT and passive and return on capital invested, despite stalled ARPU and revenue growth. infrastructure) and not enough emphasis is given to non-network elements (such as land and buildings, vehicles, office equipment and furniture). However,

Erik Almqvist Sourabh Kaushal Femi Adebayo Partner, Global Head of Operational Managing Managing Partner Consulting Analysys Mason Analysys Mason Analysys Mason

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based on our experience of working More importantly, while finalising Operators have opportuni- with multiple operators on cost cost-cutting initiatives, it is imperative optimisation, non-network elements that operators maintain the balance ties to reduce capex signif- contribute between 5% and 15% between short-term cost savings and icantly without undermin- of the total capex investments and long-term objectives. An initiative ing network performance typically offer significant scope for may help address a short-term cost- further capex optimisation. reduction target, but could have or QoS significant cost implications in the It is also essential that operators long term. For example, a single-RAN Our recent experience with a medium- evaluate all technical and non- deployment may not lead to capex sized African mobile operator suggests technical elements to identify areas savings in the short term, but in the that there is significant potential for that carry significant potential for long term it will result in benefits such capex efficiency enhancement and improved cost efficiency. Procurement as providing a future-ready platform cost reduction. The operator was is one such classic example – having for 3G and 4G services to meet the experiencing a slowdown in revenue a robust procurement framework ever-growing mobile broadband growth as a result of market stagnation drives efficiency and cost reductions. demand (data-centric), reducing and increased competition putting a squeeze on margins and cashflow. The operator entrusted Analysys Mason with the task of assessing its technical and non-technical capex investments across different functions of the organisation and identifying areas with potential for capex optimisation. As a starting point, we reviewed the operator’s network technology, architecture and design, management (including resilience and built- in redundancy) and maintenance strategy. Thereafter, we benchmarked its capex spend across main functions (RAN, backhaul, core, IT, passive infrastructure and non-network capex) and per-unit procurement cost of key network equipment against a set of carefully selected local, regional and worldwide operators from emerging markets. This enabled us to identify key functions where its capex investments were significantly higher than the peer group average. An efficient procurement process equipment cost because of use of a (with a centralised procurement team, single platform (single BTS instead Finally, we analysed the main reasons process transparency, prudent contract of two or more BTSs for different behind the identified capex gaps management and good co-ordination technologies), and drive savings based on technical assessment and among relevant departments) can as a result of reduced equipment discussions with senior and mid- on its own result in a reduction in operations and maintenance and management executives and on- equipment procurement cost of more power consumption costs. the-ground personnel across the than 10%. When initiatives have been identified organisation. As a final output, we and finalised, operators need to recommended multiple technical and Before embarking on such an exercise, develop a short-, medium- and non-technical initiatives to drive capex operators must identify areas and long-term implementation strategy efficiency and reduce costs, without functions that offer significant potential and roadmap because most of the any negative impact on its network for improvement through technical technology-related initiatives are performance or quality of service evaluation and benchmarking. Great complex and require time to implement (QoS), based on our past experience care must be taken when comparing because of established systems in place and ‘best in class’ practice adopted performance benchmarks from mobile and/or current market regulations. by operators in similar markets. Some operators in different countries – the For example, infrastructure sharing of the capex reduction initiatives external and internal environments can lead to significant capex savings, suggested were: specific to each mobile operator affect but in many markets the regulator their performance. In order to ensure may not allow active infrastructure that true like-for-like comparisons sharing. Additionally, to implement are made between the inherent network sharing, finding strategic performances of different mobile partners (operator) willing to share the operators, it is necessary to remove the network, and putting such network- effect of external and internal factors sharing agreements in place can take on KPIs by normalising benchmarks in significant time to finalise and set in an open and transparent manner. motion.

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• equipment procurement optimisation • multi-vendor strategy for core network • adoption of energy service company (ESCO) model for alternative energy solutions (to be implemented only in a situation where funds are lacking) • deployment of SON technology • active network sharing.

These initiatives will help the operator to reduce its capex by 6.3–8.0% in the short-to-medium term (that is, over the next 3 years) and about 11.0% in the long term (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Capex optimisation potential in a medium-sized MNO in Africa [Source: Analysys Mason, 2014]

For a successful capex optimisation total cost of ownership and the opex exercise, operators need to: implications before undertaking any reduction initiative • ensure buy-in from significant internal stakeholders: Any • set up a robust programme cost optimisation activities need to management organisation (PMO): be communicated clearly across the Most of the capex optimisation organisation – this is important in initiatives require a few years to show ensuring buy-in, collaboration and results because legacy systems need active involvement of core teams to be replaced and operators need to within the organisation build a robust PMO to ensure effective implementation and continuous • understand the compromise monitoring. between capex and opex: Capex reductions may have negative implications for opex. Operators should focus on understating the

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more than doubled, growing 107 percent, and overall the region is expected to have the strongest mobile data traffic growth IPX Critical to Next Phase of of any part of the world, with a 70 percent compound annual growth rate from LTE Growth in MENA 2013 to 2018, according to Cisco. What’s more, Cisco forecasts that 4G uptake will increase over 24-fold in this region, moving from 3.64 million connections in 2013 to 86.57 million by 2018.

Of all the regions in the world, the Middle As an example of how this is taking shape, East and Africa will offer one of the most within the Middle East, every mobile exciting places for the uptake of LTE in network operator (MNO) in the Gulf the next few years. In addition to a large Cooperation Council – which includes the population and increasing smartphone United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and data usage, the region presents a Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia – now has tremendous opportunity for LTE growth at least one LTE network. What’s more, since many rural areas have low wireline LTE subscriptions are expected to grow penetration. The fixed-line stage of to 30 million in these countries by 2018, Internet connectivity is largely being according to Pyramid Research. skipped, and many users are moving directly to mobile for their primary means A Game-Changing Technology of going online. LTE will thus be crucial to serving the rising mobile data needs of MENA. Yet despite these promising indicators, However, LTE deployment involves a the next phase of LTE growth in MENA number of new technology challenges will present complex challenges that will that must be addressed. Among other in large part only be solved with a high- challenges, not only will MNOs have performance technology environment to install new equipment and adapt capable of handling the wide-ranging existing infrastructure to new technology requirements of LTE. standards, they will have to determine new pricing structures and reconfigure LTE Opportunity on the Rise business partner relationships for To appreciate the increasing LTE roaming and other services. As a result, a Nour Al Atassi opportunity in MENA, consider the critical determinant in the next phase of Regional Vice President and region’s recent growth. In 2013, mobile LTE growth will be establishing a network Managing Director data traffic in the Middle East and Africa environment with the robustness Syniverse www.syniverse.com

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and versatility to support the new understanding of or tolerance for the Rising data usage will soon drive an technology as well as the new business complexities of behind-the-scenes exciting phase of LTE growth in MENA. requirements of LTE. integration. This growth will allow a wide-scale bypass of wireline Internet access as IPX (IP Packet Exchange) has emerged IPX addresses these challenges with many users move directly to mobile as as a game-changing technology three key capabilities that make it one their pathway to go online. As a result, to enable this, and its unparalleled of the most valuable enablers for LTE mobile will be positioned to power capabilities provide the best anchor to deployment: a wave of innovative new services manage LTE implementation over any and applications across the region. other technology. New improvements 1. High-performance network To enable this future, it is critical that in IPX technologies enable integration environment – IPX provides MNOs in MENA begin developing a of comprehensive services and extreme capacity and versatility full-scale strategy for implementing connection to any MNO worldwide to enable a powerful backbone IPX to securely and efficiently test and through one secure, flexible network for MNOs to vet and validate deploy LTE service. environment. These advancements a multitude of new, complex continue to strengthen a single- processes. This is especially connection approach to LTE that important for LTE roaming, for simplifies testing, optimizes efficiency which many standards are still and lowers costs while enabling evolving and implementations multiple connections with MNOs can vary widely from MNO to worldwide. MNO.

For these reasons, it is imperative that 2. Future-proof foundation – With MNOs in MENA begin developing a LTE the latest of a wave of new full-scale strategy for implementing network technologies that will IPX to realize the full value of LTE and continue to reshape the mobile deliver the performance, efficiency and world, MNOs must not only security needed for its implementation. build an infrastructure for LTE, but an infrastructure that can LTE Challenges, IPX Solutions be reconfigured for the next While LTE promises tremendous advancement with as much increases in speed and improvement ease and cost-effectiveness for mobile data services, its deployment as possible. To this end, IPX will pose a number of challenges provides MNOs with an open- standards-based technology to provide a future-proof network for enabling LTE deployment while also implementing a flexible foundation for the configuration of new technologies.

3. Direct connections – With the rollout of any new network standard not yet in complete use, a critical component in providing the most value with the network is ensuring connections to the largest number of other networks using the new standard. In this way, MNOs deploying LTE must be in MENA. First and foremost, the able to have reach to a maximum operability and performance of the number of LTE networks to offer new network must be absolutely the widest coverage for their users guaranteed, with all new LTE and maintain their competitive technologies and processes rigorously advantage. IPX allows this to the tested and validated. In addition, costs highest degree possible through for the new LTE equipment and the a single-connection approach, installation of this new equipment can which simplifies testing and be formidable, and must be carefully deployment while consolidating planned and managed. Above all, the establishment of a maximum though, is guaranteeing a seamless number of connections and consistent user experience, as worldwide. users have come to expect flawless, always-on service and have little

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SATELLITE UPDATES

US$36 million for SES’ Astra 2G Set for Bangabandhu satellite’s December 28 ILS Proton orbital slot Launch The government is likely to spend $36 Astra 2G has a spacecraft power of 13kW million to procure the orbital slot needed and a design life of 15 years. It is based on for the launch of the Bangabandhu the Eurostar E3000 platform. According satellite, the country’s inaugural to SES, the launch will be broadcast live communication and broadcast satellite. in high definition via Astra at the 19.2 The figure is over and above what the degrees east orbital position. government was hoping to pay to acquire an orbital slot. As per the Bangabandhu satellite project’s outline, $28 million Airbus-built Inmarsat Satellite has been assigned for the purpose, but the vendor, Russian company 2 F2 Satellite Breaks Updates Intersputnik, is firm on its asking price World Record for Mission of US$36 million. An official of the Post and Telecommunication Division said Lifespan the proposal has been finalized and will The Inmarsat 2 F2 satellite built by Airbus soon be sent to the cabinet committee Defense and Space was decommissioned on economic affairs for approval. If this week after 23.5 years of performance the deal is not closed with Intersputnik in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). by December 31, the company will Lasting more than two decades, the sell the slot to some other interested satellite took the world record for party, he added. The slot was rated as longevity from a previous Airbus Defense the best option for the satellite by the and Space satellite, Inmarsat 2 F1, which project’s consultant, Space Partnership operated in orbit for 22.5 years. Both International, a US company. The Russian spacecraft were based on the early company is willing to give the full control Eurostar satellite bus and had expected of the satellite to Bangladesh, a feature lifespans of 10 years. Airbus Defense and not provided in the other available Space has 59 Eurostar satellites launched orbital slots, as per the proposal. There to date. According to the company, none is scope to launch three satellites in a have ever been lost in orbit. The 16 row from the slot and it will be possible retired Eurostar satellites have exceeded to provide many planned quality services their expected lifespan by 39 percent on to Bangladesh and other countries in the average. A total of 43 are still in service, region through it. and Airbus has 12 satellites based on the

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 latest generation, the Eurostar E3000, which Eutelsat demonstrated at the support teams have now connected under construction today. Of the 12, recent IRG workshop in London, three of the worst-hit towns, five use electric propulsion and nine uses a simple detector unit, a PC Borongan, Oras and Dolores, by support high throughput payloads. and mapping software to locate positioning Inmarsat BGAN terminals GSM beacons. In most cases the unit in the city hall and hospital in Dolores detects the mobile cell being received and in the municipal buildings of the Globalstar Selects Level and thus pinpoints to one or a number other two towns. In Dolores and Oras of VSAT terminals in the area that are alone, Hagupit has affected more than 3 Communications for generating interference. The tool 84,000 people. MPLS Network Upgrade has been developed to identify GSM retransmission interference, which To upgrade its ground stations around can result from incorrectly installed nc+ for Nine the world, Globalstar has selected or maintained RF cables connecting a Level 3 Communications to supply modem to a block upconverter. “In the Transponders a fully meshed Multi-Protocol Label past, operators have used modified Eutelsat Communications has received Switching (MPLS) network. Globalstar is legacy Nokia handsets to detect this a contract renewal from Poland’s upgrading its backbone infrastructure, problem. This new tool integrates into nc+ for nine transponders at the Hot Bird video neighborhood. Through this renewal, nc+ plans to expand the digital services it broadcasts Direct to Home (DTH) for 2.2 million subscribers. Today nc+ broadcasts more than 160 channels through Hot Bird satellites, along with more than 400 Free-to-Air (FTA) channels. Nearly half of these channels are in HD, and the broadcaster has plans to pursue Ultra-HD in the future.

STC Completes Satellite Hub Upgrade for Arabsat Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator STC has finished the renewal and upgrade of the company’s satellite hub for Arabsat in Riyadh. Arabsat President and CEO Khalid Balkheyour said the and chose Level 3 Communications for the main operation to make resolution multi-million dollar renewal enables global connectivity and continuity. much simpler. We are confident it will reliable communications on the make a huge difference for users,” “By selecting Level 3′s meshed MPLS company’s Badr 5 satellite, located at said Andreas Voigt, communication architecture, we are enhancing our 26 degrees east. Arabsat has satellites systems manager at Eutelsat. reliability to provide optimal service located at 20 degrees east, 26 degrees and capabilities for our customers east, 30.5 degrees east, 39 degrees east today and with our second generation Inmarsat, TSF Help and 34.5 degrees east. The company network deployment in 2015,” said Connect Philippine has plans to launch new satellites in Jay Monroe, CEO of Globalstar. “Level order to own the youngest fleet in the 3 was a logical choice for many Towns Affected by region. reasons, including their deep U.S. fiber Typhoon Hagupit footprint which we plan to use for our Terrestrial Low Power Service (TLPS) Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), Thuraya Releases Entry- wireless broadband deployment.” the Inmarsat-sponsored telecoms agency, has entered Eastern Samar Level SatPhone: the in the Philippines to provide crucial Thuraya XT-LITE Eutelsat Offers GSM emergency communications in the wake of Typhoon Hagupit. Following Thuraya has announced the availability Demodulation Tool to assessments of the towns spanning of a new satellite phone targeting IRG Members Borongan to Artechi, many of which casual, non-enterprise customers. The were destroyed by floods and Thuraya XT-LITE can make phone calls Eutelsat-developed GSM landslides, TSF reported that mobile and send SMS messages in satellite Demodulation Tool is now being networks had been established but mode throughout Thuraya’s coverage, offered to all members of the there was no Internet connection — which extends to 160 countries. Satellite Interference Reduction crucial for the coordination of aid The satellite phone can connect Group (IRG) including new members operations for people in isolated people who work or travel outside of joining throughout 2015. The tool, and impoverished communities. ICT terrestrial coverage, and can be used

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 as a backup in natural disasters. to deliver voice, data and video organization completed nine out of “With the XT-LITE, we aim to dispel services. The SSL-built satellite carries 10 ground stations as of September the outdated perception that satellite 24 Ku-band transponders and is this year. Sheridan said finalizing the phones are only made for enterprise located at 164 degrees east. “Satellite installation and testing of the systems or government users by addressing services will always play an important and processes to support Optus’ a currently untapped segment. The role in a country the size and scope contract with NBN Co will be a key addition of Thuraya XT-LITE facilitates of Australia,” said Sheridan. “We are focus in the coming months. a dual phone strategy whereby seeing healthy demand for mobile Thuraya continues to offer our and data services from a range of existing flagship product, the Thuraya enterprises operating in isolated Myanmar to Own First XT for the professional, enterprise parts of the country including gas segment, and the Thuraya XT-LITE for and mineral exploration ventures, Satellite in Five Years the casual value users,” said Alexander agricultural leases and emergency Time Lachner, senior product manager of services.” Sheridan said Optus is often voice services at Thuraya. the only means of accessing Free- Myanmar’s government has outlined to-Air (FTA) and pay-TV content for a plan to develop and orbit the many households in Australia and country’s first satellite in five years. Remote Connectivity New Zealand. He added the company The country is looking to leverage is seeing strong growth in this region, private industry to move forward Demand Boosts Optus especially for High Definition (HD) with the spacecraft efficiently. Satellite Throughout broadcasts. Optus is confident 4K “While the national priority is for will one day become a broadcasting Myanmar to have its own satellite, 2014 norm in these markets too, but that it it is also important that, by opening the market, the ministry enhances Australia’s remote connectivity needs needs more time for the technology the development of the broader are fueling growth for domestic to become regular. “While ultra-high [Information and Communication satellite operator Optus Satellite. The definition content has been embraced Technology] ICT industry,” said company’s latest satellite, Optus 10, by the film industry, demand for Deputy Minister H.E. U Thaung Tin of began commercial service this month 4K television remains limited for the Ministry of Communications and following a September 11 Ariane 5 good reason. The introduction of 4K Information Technology Myanmar. launch. Optus Satellite Vice President content requires wholesale change “Although there is no timeline Paul Sheridan told Via Satellite that within the broadcast ecosystem. for the launch of a satellite, the demand for telecommunications Just like the previous evolution selection process will follow that of and broadcasting in and around from Standard Definition to High the international mobile licenses, Australia propelled the company Definition television, mainstreaming with an open, fair and transparent throughout 2014. “This year, we’ve 4K technology requires changes to tendering process, followed by public also seen growth in on-demand transmission schemes and set top consultation.” telecommunications services as boxes, along with access to adequate remote communities, tourists and content,” he said. Sheridan mentioned regional businesses seek access next generation Set Top Boxes (STBs) to reliable mobile and broadband as a catalyst for 4K becoming routine services, anytime and anywhere. in the future. Optus is also working We’re also seeing good growth in the with Australia’s state-owned National Machine-to-Machine (M2M) space, Broadcast Network (NBN Co) to as businesses look to monitor assets supply broadband access to remote and infrastructure located on remote parts of the country. The satellite work sites. There’s also a mounting operator is providing capacity, appetite for disaster recovery network infrastructure, customer services that enable businesses to premise equipment and operating quickly restore their business-critical systems for interfacing with NBN Co communication systems,” he said. and retail service providers as part Mainland Australia is 7.69 million of a five-year agreement that began square kilometers, making it the in 2011. Sheridan said these services largest country in the world after would continue until NBN Co has Russia, Canada, China, the United established its own infrastructure. In States and Brazil. Australia’s ocean February, NBN Co signed a five-year territory is also the third largest in agreement with Optus to operate Thuraya Donates the world. Optus Satellite serves the two new Ka-band satellites for the Satellite Phones to ITU continent and surrounding regions organization’s long-term satellite including New Zealand and McMurdo service. Once launched in 2015, Optus Thuraya has donated several Sound, Antarctica using a fleet of six is contracted to provide tracking, satellite phones to the International satellites. Sheridan described the telemetry and control services for the Telecommunication Union (ITU) most recent satellite as part of a long- spacecraft. NBN Co is in the process to better equip relief workers and term multi-faceted strategy, providing of beefing up its infrastructure, in part first responders for emergencies. increased fleet resilience and capacity by acquiring Optus’ coaxial access The company provided Thuraya XT network in parts of the country. The

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SAMENA TRENDS _ DEC_2014 handsets, which are water resistant, Satellogic Finalizes China Orbits Yaogan-26 shockproof, work with the antenna stowed away, and can be charged 16-Satellite Earth remote sensing satellite with a solar charger when power Observation with Long March 4B grids are down. The satellite phones will assist the ITU in setting up mobile Constellation Rocket communications for disaster-prone Satellogic, a startup company countries as well as to strengthen founded in Palo Alto, California with response and recovery mechanisms. offices around the world, has finalized The ITU is also receiving preferential plans for its first wave of satellites to airtime rates and technical training begin launching in the second half support. of 2015. The company finished the preliminary design review this month and plans to begin manufacturing in Himawari 8 Satellite early January. “We are gearing up to Releases First Images launch the first service constellation of 16 satellites next year,” Emiliano The Japan Meteorological Agency Kargieman, Satellogic founder and has released the first images from the CEO told Via Satellite. “We are Himawari 8 geostationary weather also gearing up to launch the first satellites of the new China’s state-run news agency generation in the Xinhua reports the Yaogan 26 remote second half of 2015.” sensing satellite entered space after launching aboard a Long March 4B rocket on December 26. The launch, ILS Proton which was the 202nd for the Long March rocket family, occurred from Delivers the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center Six-Ton SES in north China’s Shanxi Province. According to Xinhua, the satellite’s Satellite to primary functions are land surveys, GTO agriculture, scientific experiments and disaster prevention. China launched International Launch Yaogan 1, the first Yaogan satellite, in Services (ILS) lofted 2006. the Astra 2G satellite for SES on December 27 using a Proton Russia Launches Resurs Breeze M booster. The rocket carried P2 Satellite Aboard the six-ton satellite Soyuz 2.1b into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) The Russian remote sensing spacecraft after a mission Resurs P2 launched aboard a Soyuz lasting nine hours 2.1b rocket on December 26 2014 and 12 minutes. The from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Astra 2G mission Earth observation satellite is capable was significantly of panchromatic and hyperspectral delayed after a Federal Proton imaging, and carries equipment for satellite, which launched Oct. 7, 2014 mission operated by the Russian automatic ship identification. Built by aboard an H2A rocket. Mitsubishi government failed, consequently TsSKB-Progress (Samara), the Soyuz Electric built the satellite using the grounding the launch vehicle for 2.1b has an improved third stage DS2000 platform. The Himawari 8 months. Proton has flown four engine compared to the Soyuz 2.1a. spacecraft is slated for operation by times since the incident, completing mid-2015. Between then, the satellite missions for the Russian government, will undergo testing and checking of Gazprom Space Systems, Russian in-orbit systems and ground facilities. Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) and now SES. The December launch marks the 24th SES satellite ILS has launched.

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“We are extremely proud to host a great number of telco corporations as an ITU Telecom World 2014 important hub,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister December 7-10, 2014, Doha, Qatar of Qatar in his Opening Ceremony address. “To meet here and to debate is an opportunity to exchange ideas about new opportunities which can contribute to changing and transforming the world.”

“With the increasing interconnectivity between sectors, no one can work alone, as in the past,” said Dr. Hessa Al Jaber, Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR). “We must work together to help bring these technologies to the rest of the world.” ITU Telecom World 2014 opened Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin its doors to a packed program of Saud Al Thani, Chairman of the Board Highlighting the tremendous potential of conversations and debates on the of Directors Ooredoo Group took the technology as a tool for improving lives, theme “Future in Focus”. A spectacular opportunity to highlight the need ITU Secretary General Hamadoun I. Touré Opening Ceremony at the Qatar for partnership and collaboration noted in his opening address: “Never National Convention Centre in Doha between the world’s key players, before in human history have so many brought together a glittering line-up saying, “Amongst us are many of the developments in technology, in science of high-level participants, including: world’s largest technology companies. and business come together with such We are joined by many high ranking tremendous potential to improve the Chairman of the Board of Directors, government representatives, policy lives of people everywhere. Never before Ooredoo Group, Sheikh Abdullah Bin shapers, from across the region and have the challenges of ensuring that the Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani; Prime the world, as well as a new generation changes happening are fair, equitable and Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin of entrepreneurs and app-developers. ethical been so considerable.” Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani; Minister Feel our power, our combined of Information and Communications experience and know how. Together Organized by ITU, the United Nations Technology, ictQATAR, H.E Dr. Hessa we can make the future happen Specialized Agency for ICTs, the event Sultan Al Jaber; ITU Secretary-General sooner.” was hosted by the Government of Qatar, Hamadoun I. Touré. with the support of leading international communications company, Ooredoo.

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ITU Telecom World is a fully funded Opportunities’, ‘Digital Economy annual event which takes place in a Transformation’ ‘ and ‘TD-LTE different geographical location each Technology and Spectrum’, followed year. The events are organized by by panel discussions on ‘the Essential ITU Telecom, part of the International Case for Hybrid Solutions’, ‘The Telecommunication Union (ITU). Event Road Towards 5G’, ‘LTE and Public of this year took place in Doha, Qatar Safety’, ‘The Role of Solar Integrated from December 7-10, 2014. Technology Solutions in Delivering Affordable and Relevant Community The purpose of these events are Services in Africa’, ‘The Next Big leveraging status as a UN agency to Internet Step: Moving to IPv6 to bring together public and private Enable Everything on the Internet sectors, developed and emerging (IOT, CC, SDN, NFV, 5G)’ and ‘ICT for markets; Insight and understanding Development and Saving Lives’. of the current industry disruption Day-2 Activities: on ‘Revenue Generation through Community Driven Social and Economic Partnerships’, ‘Big Data for Day two activities started with a Development’, ‘Innovation for Telcos – keynote & high-level debate on a Practical Guide’ and ‘The IT-isation ‘Disrupt or be Disrupted to Make of Telecom Networks’. Broadband Universal’, followed by Creative Conversations on ‘Co-Creation in the Innovation Ecosystem’ and Day-4 Activities: on ‘Body Sensor Networks – Health, Sports and ICT’, A big conversation Day four activities started with a on ‘Big Data: Heaven or Hell or… keynote & high-level debate on ‘Hellven’?, and panel sessions on ‘A ‘The Intelligent Future’ followed Call to Arms for Regulators, Consortia by the panel sessions on the topic and Governments’, ‘The Digital of ‘ITU: Balancing Facilitation and and evolving ICT ecosystem; World- Dividend and the Internet of Things’, Participation’, ‘The Internet of Things: class debates with expert speakers ‘Convergence of Broadcasting and A Force for Good or Evil’ and ‘Make on technology, policy, strategy; Broadband’, ‘NGN Regulatory Models’, Your Country an ICT Star: ICT Surveys, Show floor experience showcasing ‘Networks in the Cloud’, ‘Dynamic SIDS and Vanuatu’. global innovation and investment Spectrum Access: Opportunities and opportunities; Unparalleled exposure Challenges’, ‘A Regulator’s Nightmare’, to and for emerging markets; Face-to- ‘Affordable International Backhaul’ face networking at the highest level. and ‘Broadband Rollout in Emerging Economies - What Comes Next?’ The programs consist of keynote and high level discussions, workshops, Day-3 Activities: creative and big conversations, panel discussions and Ministerial Session. Day three activities started with a keynote & high-level debate on Day-1 Activities: ‘Cross-Sector Partnerships’ followed by Ministerial Sessions on the topics Day one activities started with of ‘Strategies for a Smarter Society’ workshops on ‘From Circuits to and ‘Smart Governance: Enabling Packets: Hidden Risks, Unexplored the Digital Economy’, panel sessions

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