TRA participates in GITEX Technology Week 2011

Mobilk - The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) participates in GITEX Technology Week held at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, between 9th - 13th October 2011 among a wide participation of key local, regional, and international entities and authorities from the ICT industry. The TRA aims to highlight its operations, societal contributions, and initiatives, including the Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT), the Domain Name (dotEmarat), the ICT Fund, Be´tha (Scholarship) Program, and other initiatives and CSR programs.

 

The first day of GITEX, which is the most famous ICT event on the international level, witnessed a wide attendance of approximately 3500 local and international companies, as well as 136 industry experts and professionals. This event represents the gateway to the Middle Eastern region; 

3a region that is considered to be among the fastest growing technical investment markets in the world.

“Our previous participation in GITEX week was productive with regards to the level of participation and results,” H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General said, “We will certainly continue to enrich our track-record within the current event of 2011. We will also carry out our work into new stages, as we believe in the importance of such activities in achieving total and comprehensive understanding for all aspects of the ever-developing industry. The organization of GITEX in the UAE is a testament to the pioneering role that the ICT sector plays in the region, and also opens the opportunity for us to turn the UAE into an international player.“

 

“Our schedule for this year will be full of activities that have been prepared to give to participants, both local and international, the genuine image of the UAE ICT industry. The TRA participation will cover regulatory and operational topics related to the ICT sector, our societal contributions, in addition to signing a number of memorandums of understanding, which will help in enhancing the cooperation among active players in the sector, resulting in developing the sector and providing the best standards to users, including governmental and private entities, and individuals.”

During the first day of GITEX week, TRA organized presentations on topics including the National Emergency Plan. The TRA highlighted in the presentation the plan and its goals to guarantee the continuation of telecom sector services during emergency situations. The plan supports the continuation of business in all government sectors that provide telecom services. This support is based on emergency management essential principles, including readiness, response and recovery, in addition to supporting leading institutions to enable them to manage emergencies.

During the first day, the Radiation Study was also discussed in a separate presentation. A presentation was given about TRA’s regular studies to ensure that the levels of radiation from telecom operators’ equipments are minimal and safe. During the presentation, attendees looked into the regulations set by TRA in this context, in order to comply with the current international standards and to ensure that government telecom sector complies with these regulations.

The TRA shed light on the mobile benchmarking within the telecom sector, which is considered to be a policy that drives the TRA to encourage the competition among operators in the UAE market, and to support transparency of service and ensure the best quality in this context.

Mobile spam was another topic discussed by the TRA; mobile spam is received from licensees or third parties, and the TRA is seeking to set regulations and to govern mobile spam to achieve a high standard of user satisfaction. Audiences also learned about the mechanisms that they can follow to block marketing messages.

Another presentation discussed mobile site sharing and measures that the TRA is taking to monitor sharing activities among licensees, and to encourage them to share according to the limits set by the TRA. The TRA highlighted the role it is playing in reducing the number of these sites while maintaining the Quality of Service (QoS) in the networks.

GITEX technology week 2011 was distinguished by the strong presence of the TRAs social responsibility activities in the UAE. During the first day, a presentation highlighted the “Echo of Silence” project, which is one of the projects of the social responsibility program under the Ministry of Social Development, and a TRA initiative aiming to achieve a wider participation from people with special needs. The TRA is aiming through this project to enable people with hearing and speech disabilities in UAE to communicate with other people and integrate them in the community. The TRA received the Emirates Social Award given by Ministry of Social Development in 2010.

Furthermore, the TRAs participation in GITEX also witnessed its contributions to the environment, through a presentation about its Public Consultations on the Adoption of Green ICT Practices, and the key role the TRA is seeking to play in leading ICT sector to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the sector, which is estimated to be around 2.0 - 2.5% of global greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, as well as studying the mechanisms through which ICT industry can reduce emissions.