Page 50 - SAMENA Trends - January 2020
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REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES  SAMENA TRENDS


                                                REGIONAL NEWS





        United Arab Emirates Ranks Second in the Global Mobile Broadband Speed
        Test



        The United Arab Emirates has risen   download  speed of 46.52Mbps,
        two places to take second place in   Oman moved  four  places  down
        the global mobile broadband speed   to 33rd with a download speed of
        test in December, according to the   42.97 Mbps, while Bahrain jumped
        Ookla Global Speed Test Index. The   higher  than 47 with a download
        country  surpassed  Qatar  and is   speed  of  35.64  Mbps.  In  fixed
        now just behind South Korea in the   broadband  space,  the  UAE lost a
        mobile broadband speed test. Last   lower place to 30 with an average
        month,  Qatar  ranked second  and   download  speed of 90.57Mbps,
        now ranks third in December. The   while the average  loading speed
        overall average download speed is   is 38.78Mbps. The overall average
        32.01Mbps in December, while the   download  speed improved from
        upload speed is 12.02Mbps. In the   71.55Mbps  in  November  to
        UAE, the average download speed   73.58Mbps  in  December,  while
        is 86.77Mbps while the  upload   the upload speed was 40.39Mbps
        speed is 25.55Mbps. In November,   in  December  compared  to
        the average download speed  in   38.91Mbps in November. The three
        the UAE was 69.72Mbps while the   main countries  are Singapore,
        upload speed  was  21.85Mbps.   Hong Kong  and Monaco. In
        The global speed  test  compares   Singapore, the  average  download
        Internet  speed  data  from around   speed  is 200.12Mbps, while it  is
        the world every  month. The   164.88Mbps  in  Hong Kong and
        data for the index comes  from   148.91Mbps in Monaco. Compared
        the hundreds of millions of   to other Gulf Cooperation countries,
        tests  performed  by  real  people   Qatar  jumped  one  place  higher
        who use the speed  test  every   to 40th with a download speed of
        month. In  December,  the average   73.94Mbps,  followed by  Kuwait
        download  speed  in South  Korea   jumped  five  places  to  44  with  a
        was  103.18Mbps  and 20.55Mbps   download  speed of 65.92Mbps,
        in upload speed. Compared to   Saudi  Arabia jumped  two places
        other  Gulf Cooperation  countries,   higher  to 53º  with 52.93  Mbps,
        Saudi  Arabia ranks second  in   Oman jumped  20 places  higher
        13th place with a download speed   to 66º  with 42.22Mbps, Bahrain
        of 55.58Mbps, Kuwait jumped   fell three places lower to 95º with
        six  places higher to  28  with  a   26.98Mbps.




        Pakistan Grants Jazz, Zong 5G Trial Licenses


        The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority   trials, local media reported. In June 2019,   Telecommunication  recently  set up an
        (PTA) issued six-month 5G  test  licenses   PTA published a framework for 5G testing   advisory  committee  to  define  the  terms
        to mobile  operators  Jazz and Zong,   and development to pave the way for trials   for an auction  of compatible  spectrum.
        allowing them to conduct limited trials on   to start this year. The Pakistan government   Representatives  from  the IT  Ministry,
        a  non-commercial  basis.  PTA allocated   hasn’t  announced  when it  will  grant the   PTA,  Prime  Minister’s  office,  Frequency
        spectrum  in the 2.6GHz  band  with Jazz,   necessary  regulatory  approvals  for the   Allocation Board  and  the country’s  four
        the market  leader by  subscribers, and   commercial launch of 5G services, but the   mobile operators will sit on the committee.
        third-ranked  Zong  already commencing   Ministry  of Information Technology and

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