TRA Participates in SAMENA “Beyond Connectivity 2011” Conference

“Building Towards a Digital Future”
Al Ghanim: The UAE has made tremendous efforts to facilitate its switchover from analogue to digital broadcasti
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) participated in the SAMENA “Beyond Connectivity 2011” conference. H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General delivered a speech, as the Honorary Guest Speaker, for the opening ceremony on April 25. The event was held in the Yas hotel, Abu Dhabi from April 25 till 27.
Al Ghanim addressed many relevant topics related to the efforts made by the TRA to ensure a safe and smooth switchover; he also discussed the differences between the two technologies and the benefits of the digital broadcasting on the ICT sector and the national economy.
“With much preparatory work completed by many TRA departments, the UAE is now in the process of starting its switchover. The TRA hosted the GCC Technical Committee earlier in April 2011, where the participants discussed the outcomes reached by the Switchover Assigned Group.” said Al Ghanim.
In his speech, Al Ghanim explained that the switchover will not affect the ICT sector only, but also media, broadcasters and many others. He also expressed that the authority pays a lot of attention to future technologies, “The TRA is always eager to adopt the latest technologies that ensure the UAE stays ahead in the ICT arena. Switching to digital broadcast is one of these leading technologies,” added Al Ghanim.
TRA objectives is to support the UAE ICT sector by safeguarding competition, to protect the interests of subscribers, to enhance the readiness of e-services, to encourage investment, innovation, development and education, to meet our corporate social responsibility, and to implement best practices in regulation and supervision.
With a network of members that extends beyond continental borders, the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, a multi-continent telecom consortium, aims to be the ultimate promoter of telecom innovations in its member regions and a facilitator for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between regional telecom entities. Such collaboration and knowledge-sharing between operators, vendors, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, educators, R&D experts, and regulators, aids effective resolutions to technical, economical, and legal issues in regions where tough economical and regulatory environments prevail.