Saudi Arabia Participates in World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai

Saudi Arabia Participates in World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai
TT

Saudi Arabia Participates in World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai

Saudi Arabia Participates in World Radiocommunication Conference in Dubai

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to participate in the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) with a delegation led by the Governor of the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission, Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, SPA said on Monday.
The delegation includes representatives from government agencies and the private sector.
Scheduled to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 20 through December 15, the conference is expected to draw over 4,000 participants from regulatory bodies, government entities, and private organizations.
The primary objective of the conference is to explore ways to enhance the global utilization of the frequency spectrum in these sectors.
The conference proceedings will witness a review of the Kingdom's contributions and leadership in several international domains, notably sustainability in the space sector, empowering radio communications and innovative technologies, and future trends for 6G services.
The Kingdom will also focus on enhancing the utilization of frequency spectrum, satellite orbits for services related to international mobile communications, aviation and maritime transport services, as well as radio and meteorological services.
The Kingdom assumes leadership roles in the conference, leveraging its expertise as an active participant in the development and advancement of the topics under discussion. Additionally, the Kingdom presides over the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) committee.
The WRC-23 is an international conference organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) every four years to coordinate efforts and discussions on the allocation of frequency spectrum for various types of wireless communications. It aims to ensure meeting the global society's needs for sustainable future communication technologies.



Apple Still Barred from Selling iPhone 16 in Indonesia Despite Investment Deal, Minister Says

 Used mobile phones including the Apple iPhone are displayed for sale at a shop in Jakarta on January 8, 2025. (AFP)
Used mobile phones including the Apple iPhone are displayed for sale at a shop in Jakarta on January 8, 2025. (AFP)
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Apple Still Barred from Selling iPhone 16 in Indonesia Despite Investment Deal, Minister Says

 Used mobile phones including the Apple iPhone are displayed for sale at a shop in Jakarta on January 8, 2025. (AFP)
Used mobile phones including the Apple iPhone are displayed for sale at a shop in Jakarta on January 8, 2025. (AFP)

Apple still cannot sell its iPhone 16 in Indonesia despite striking a deal to build a local production facility there, as it has not met domestic content rules, the industry minister said on Wednesday.

Last year, Indonesia banned iPhone 16 sales after Apple failed to meet requirements that smartphones sold domestically should comprise at least 35% locally-made parts.

Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said Apple had struck a deal to build a facility producing its Airtag tracking device on Indonesia's Batam island, close to Singapore, but that still would not count as a locally-made iPhone part.

"There is no basis for the ministry to issue a local content certification as a way for Apple to have the permission to sell iPhone 16 because (the facility) has no direct relations," he said, adding the ministry would only count phone components.

Indonesia's investment minister said late on Tuesday the factory would be worth $1 billion and that it would start operations next year.

Agus, who held two days of meetings with Apple's vice president of global government affairs Nick Ammann, said Apple had proposed "innovative investment" which Indonesia had countered.

Apple has no manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, a country of about 280 million people, but has since 2018 set up application developer academies.