Saudi Arabia signs communications deal with Indian regulator

NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission has signed an agreement with India’s telecommunications authority during the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly in New Delhi.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on Wednesday by CST Gov. Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti in the presence of Indian Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.

The deal “aims to enhance cooperation between the two parties through several areas of mutual collaboration. This includes the application of regulatory technology use cases and conducting joint studies in areas such as infrastructure,” the CST said in a statement.

“CST and TRAI also aim to exchange information and transfer knowledge in the ICT sector, benefiting from the training programs provided by the Digital Regulations Academy.”

The statement added: “Additionally, they intend to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations and enhance cooperation in communications, space and technology to support mutual interests.”

The DRA is a specialized academy in digital regulations developing Saudi talent under Vision 2030 programs to support the Kingdom’s digital transformation.

The Indian regulator welcomed the agreement as a “landmark” move “strengthening collaboration in telecom regulation and advancing mutual goals in the sector.”

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly began in the Indian capital on Tuesday and ends Oct. 24. It is one of the three world conferences of the International Telecommunication Union, the UN agency responsible for matters related to information and communication technologies.

Held every four years, the assembly is the governing conference of the global Information and Communications Technology-standardization sector.