TRA participates in 25th GCC Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications

Government

TRA participates in 25th GCC Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has taken part in the just recently concluded 25th GCC Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications, chaired by Dr. Mohamed Bin Ibrahim Al-Swail, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, kept in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The conference focused on the recommendations raised by the GCC Committee for Undersecretaries of Post and Telecommunications during its meeting kept in May in 2012.

It also discussed the recommendations by the Secretariat General regarding the outcomes of the 31st GCC Posts Chiefs and Undersecretaries Meeting, Mobile Roaming Team, recommendations from the GCC Technical Committee for Telecommunications Bureau and the legislation and regulation of application services provided through the Internet. Supporting the joint initiative in between Jordan and GCC in developing a plan for collaboration and integration within telecoms have likewise been talked about, in addition to numerous concerns such as methods to limit blackmails, impersonation, and other kinds of spam emails. The meeting likewise noted the requirement for collaboration among GCC countries and companies providing applications on the best ways to react to these concerns.

Members likewise raised the strategies to develop a strategy which intends to decrease the price of mobile roaming within GCC and evaluation existing treatments for the benefit of consumers. Other concerns were likewise raised such as the review of the jobs of the regulation and legislation committee, regulatory and operational concerns, present collaboration with worldwide organisations and regional and international business, and other methods to promote information and communications technology (ICT) in the region.

H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of the TRA, led the UAE delegation, which is composed of Engr. Nasser Bin Hammad, Senior Manager for International Affairs; Hasan Al Ahbabi, Regulatory Economist; and Mr. Sultan Al Madfaa from Emirates Post Group.

Mohamed Al Zarooni has actually recommended during the meeting a job which intends to combine all the telecoms devices in GCC to further strengthen the level of coordination in between Arab Gulf countries. The project provides an innovative solution to limit scams by forming a quality evaluation group within the GCC which will assist unify laboratory standards following global requirements and establish a database within a joint electronic system for the project.

H.E. Al Mansoori said: "Our involvement in this meeting is in line with TRA's efforts to promote partnership and coordination with the GCC in telecoms and information technology sector (ICT) in order to face the difficulties brought about by the sector's fast development in the area and the world. The UAE is eager to take leadership in adopting sophisticated technologies and systems to fulfill the needs of the sector and make it possible for other organizations and national entities to get a strong IT facilities and satisfy individuals's requirements, happiness and comfort."

" This annual assembly is a important tool to monitor and follow up the GCC's development in its workflow in its joint ICT goals. The meetings have also effectively assisted the particular members to remove the barriers that impede the continued advancement of the sector along with reinforced the combination and linkage between member countries to continue with the GCC's advancement strategies," H.E. Al Mansoori included.

He highlighted: "It is very important to coordinate the regulations between the member countries and interact to come up with unified policies and follow up with jobs and strategies in keeping with global developments. This can be done by establishing a high level committee at secretary general level to study the joint projects within the GCC."

The GCC Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications is a high-level board conference held yearly to go over the reports of all committees and groups associated with the operational, regulatory and postal services, among others. It intends to promote the partnership and coordination in between GCC and global and local companies related with the sector, in addition to build regional and international partnerships to develop and support ICT in the region. It is accountable in safeguarding customers' rights and address primary problems that will help improve all other elements of telecoms.

The TRA took part in the GCC Committee for Undersecretaries of Post and Telecommunications held last month in Riyadh, which functioned as the initial meeting for the Ministerial Committee where the UAE contributed in the formulation of suggestions discussed throughout the 25th GCC Ministerial Committee for Post and Telecommunications.