Effective January 1st, 2017, new fees for the use of frequency spectrum and wireless equipment in the UAE will be introduced, according to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA.

The new regulation contains a fee for radio services used in land, maritime, terrestrial and satellite, including mobile service, broadcasting, satellite, and services related to emergencies and disaster relief.

Majed Al Mesmar, Acting Director-General of TRA, said, "The ICT sector is considered the main nerve of many other sectors, as it offers infrastructure and advanced technological solutions to provide all kinds of services to society. Radiocommunication services are considered one of the pillars through which vital services are provided to institutions and individuals. Radiocommunication depends on the frequency spectrum which is limited in nature.

"TRA has updated the spectrum fees regulation which is considered one of the most important regulating tools of the radiocommunication sector at the global level, with the aim of achieving maximum utilisation of the frequency spectrum. The regulation has been updated using global standards and benchmarks, after conducting thorough market study and service analysis in the radiocommunication sector in the country."

Al Mesmar went on to say that the new regulation will support the provision of new technologies, such as the Internet of Things, smart cities, space services and ICT sector projects. It will also support the re-use of frequencies to provide new services and modern technologies, which would encourage innovation, creativity and investment in the ICT sector in the country, in line with the national strategic plans.

"The UAE has been ranked first in the world for mobile phone penetration which indicates the success of policies and regulations adopted by the TRA in regulating frequency spectrum," Al Mesmar said.

"Issuing the new regulation comes in the framework of achieving the sustainable development goals in all fields, in line with the state’s vision. We are confident that these measures will have a significant impact that enhances the customers’ confidence in the services provided by TRA," he concluded.