| NOTAS: | "The GSMA’s “Roadmaps for awarding 5G spectrum in the MENA region” report looks at the current mobile services and spectrum status in non-GCC countries across MENA. It also sets out a roadmap to help governments and regulators enable 5G in the region. GCC countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are 5G pioneers. Their governments and regulators have awarded spectrum and mobile operators are deploying some of the world’s first 5G networks. The report looks at MENA 5G spectrum needs, and the current status across the region. It then sets out a roadmap, to help governments and regulators enable 5G in the most efficient way possible. It also provides recommendations based on international best practices. Policy makers should aim to make available 80-100 MHz of contiguous spectrum per operator in prime 5G mid-bands (e.g. 3.5 GHz) and around 1 GHz per operator in high-bands (e.g. mmWave spectrum, such as 26 and 28 GHz). Spectrum in coverage bands, such as 700 MHz, is also needed to make the 5G vision available to everyone. Successful licensing of mobile spectrum starts with a spectrum roadmap that provides a schedule for forthcoming releases to meet the government’s broadband plan as well as other demands on spectrum. In particular, the roadmap helps ensure sufficient spectrum is available to meet the requirements driven by changing technology and demand." |
