Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Oman’s TRA has introduced strict new rules on telecom pricing and promotions to prevent price wars, protect consumers, and maintain fair competition. Measures include limits on offers, intervention triggers on steep price drops, and stricter oversight of dominant operators, with the framework set for ongoing review.
Pakistan’s mobile phone market continues to strengthen its local assembly capabilities, significantly reducing dependency on imports and enhancing domestic production. Meanwhile, regulatory vigilance remains high with strong consumer complaint resolution, reflecting efforts to ensure quality and reliability in telecom services.
The Bangladesh regulator mandates up to 20% broadband price cuts, following extensive supply chain analysis and market reforms. New tariffs and consumer compensation policies aim to increase affordability and ensure service accountability, enhancing digital inclusion across the country.
Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is rolling out new initiatives to improve telecom transparency. Key updates include a regulation to ensure accurate billing systems and the launch of the “Commercial Caller ID” project, requiring corporate call centers to identify themselves and their purpose, aiming to protect consumers.
The UAE will leverage advanced digital technologies and AI-driven mechanisms to combat counterfeit goods and commercial fraud. This initiative, discussed at a forum organized by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, includes tightening sanctions, enhancing quality control, and increasing public awareness to protect consumer rights and ensure market fairness.
The UAE Ministry of Economy has launched a National Digital Platform to track the prices of essential commodities. The platform provides real-time data on goods like oil, eggs, and sugar, allowing officials to monitor prices and ensure compliance with established price ceilings, supporting market stability and consumer protection.
India has introduced stricter regulations for telecom service providers, imposing fines up to Rs 10 lakh for failing to curb unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and SMS spam. The new rules simplify the complaint process and enforce faster actions against spammers, aiming to enhance consumer protection and digital communication security.
Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a mobile app allowing consumers to submit complaints about product quality, services, and pricing. The app offers various complaint categories and requires users to provide specific details. This initiative is part of MoCI’s efforts to protect consumer rights and market standards.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce has launched a campaign to regulate e-commerce businesses, requiring registration of e-store links, secure payment methods, clear return policies, and timely deliveries. Non-compliance will lead to legal consequences, aiming to protect consumers, promote fair competition, and boost the country’s digital economy.
Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (NTRA) has partnered with the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) to establish a digital platform for resolving telecom complaints more efficiently. The platform will feature an online complaint registration system and an automated process, improving response times and user awareness of rights and responsibilities.