Latest news with #TelecommunicationsRegulatoryCommission
Jordan News
29-07-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Jordan and Syria Discuss Digital Cooperation - Jordan News
Jordan and Syria have held discussions on enhancing digital cooperation between the two countries during a meeting between Jordan's Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Sami Smeirat, and Syria's Minister of Communications and Technology, Abdul Salam Haykal, in Amman. اضافة اعلان During the official meeting, Smeirat and Haykal discussed bilateral cooperation in the fields of telecommunications, information technology, and cybersecurity. Haykal visited the National Cyber Security Center, where he was briefed on its functions and ongoing operations. He is also scheduled to visit the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and meet with several private sector institutions. Haykal began his working visit to Jordan on Monday, heading an official delegation from the Syrian ministry, in response to an invitation extended by Minister Smeirat. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Smeirat welcomed the Syrian minister and his delegation to Jordan, stating: "Over the next two days, we aim to hold productive meetings and strengthen cooperation and joint efforts between our two brotherly countries, particularly in the areas of digital transformation and telecommunications." In a post on LinkedIn, Minister Haykal noted that the visit is part of efforts to expand bilateral cooperation in communications, technology, and entrepreneurship, by learning from Jordan's 'advanced' experience in these sectors. It's worth noting that Jordan achieved an advanced ranking in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index issued by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), climbing 11 spots to rank 89th out of 193 countries, compared to 100th in 2022. Additionally, Jordan ranked 33rd globally and 4th in the Arab world in terms of internet speed, with an average fixed internet speed of 142 Mbps in 2024.
Jordan News
09-07-2025
- Jordan News
Using VPNs in Jordan: A Practical Guide to Online Privacy and Access - Jordan News
As digital connectivity deepens across the Middle East, internet users in Jordan are increasingly turning to virtual private networks (VPNs) to enhance their online privacy, protect sensitive data, and gain access to restricted global content. While VPN technology is commonly associated with tech-savvy users, it is quickly becoming a mainstream tool for professionals, students, and everyday users seeking safer, freer internet experiences. What is a VPN? A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a cybersecurity service that encrypts a user's internet traffic and routes it through an external server in another country. This process masks the user's real IP address and location, effectively securing the data and anonymizing browsing activities. Why VPN Usage is Growing in Jordan The growing popularity of VPNs in Jordan is driven by several key factors: Privacy and Security: اضافة اعلان Public Wi-Fi networks, often found in cafes, airports, and hotels, pose a risk for data interception. VPNs protect users by encrypting their connection, shielding login credentials, financial information, and other sensitive data. Access to Global Content: Streaming services and news platforms frequently limit content based on geographic location. VPNs allow users in Jordan to bypass such restrictions by appearing to access the internet from another country. Protection from ISP Tracking: Internet service providers often track browsing activity. A VPN prevents this tracking by rerouting and encrypting all data before it reaches the ISP. Enhanced Anonymity: With VPNs, users can obscure their identity online, making it harder for websites, advertisers, and third-party trackers to build behavioral profiles. Legal Status of VPNs in Jordan In Jordan, the use of VPNs is currently legal. There are no explicit restrictions against owning or operating VPN software. However, authorities caution that while using a VPN is lawful, engaging in illegal activities through a VPN remains subject to prosecution under existing laws. This includes accessing illegal content, committing cybercrimes, or bypassing censorship in ways that violate national regulations. It is advisable for users to stay informed of updates from Jordan's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission or related government bodies, as digital policy frameworks continue to evolve. How to Choose a Secure VPN Provider Experts recommend selecting a provider that offers: A clear no-logs policy Strong encryption protocols (e.g., AES-256, OpenVPN, WireGuard) A wide global network of servers DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch Transparent privacy policies and third-party audits Popular VPNs that meet these criteria include both paid and reputable free options such as Planet VPN, which offers strong encryption and access to multiple server locations without collecting user data. Best Practices for VPN Users in Jordan To ensure maximum protection and compliance, users should: Always activate the VPN before connecting to public Wi-Fi Use servers in Jordan or nearby countries for better speed during routine browsing Avoid using VPNs for activities that may violate website terms of service Routinely check for IP or DNS leaks using online testing tools Combine VPN use with secure browsers and ad-blocking extensions Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for accounts linked to VPN usag Conclusion As digital threats increase and access to international content remains restricted in parts of the web, VPNs serve as a vital solution for Jordanian users seeking greater control over their online experience. Used responsibly, they provide privacy, freedom, and a secure gateway to the global internet. For many in Jordan, the VPN is no longer a luxury—it is becoming a necessity.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: TRC reports surge in broadband, 5 G subscriptions in Q1 2025
AMMAN — The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) on Wednesday published its statistical report for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting continued growth in broadband subscriptions, data consumption and mobile connectivity across the Kingdom. According to the report, the number of fixed voice service subscriptions stood at around 485,000 during the first quarter of 2025, compared with around 494,000 in the same period last year, a 1.9 per cent decline. Residential users accounted for 67 per cent of subscriptions, while business users made up the remaining 33 per cent. Despite the drop in subscriptions, total fixed-line call volume rose slightly to 9.8 million minutes in Q1 2025, up from 9.7 million minutes in Q1 2024, a growth rate of 1 per cent. Of the total call traffic, 84 per cent was domestic (between governorates), while international calls made up 16 per cent. The mobile broadband sector continued to expand, with total subscriptions reaching 8.03 million in Q1 2025, up from 7.79 million during the same period in 2024, a 3 per cent increase. Prepaid users accounted for 68 per cent of subscriptions, while 32 per cent were postpaid. Voice-and-data mobile lines represented 83 per cent of mobile subscriptions, while data-only lines made up the remaining 17 per cent. Mobile voice traffic totalled around 6.7 billion minutes, of which 97 per cent were domestic calls and 3 per cent international. The number of SMS messages sent during the first quarter surged to 423 million, compared with 233 million in Q1 2024, an increase of 81.5 per cent. Mobile penetration reached 68 per cent of the total population by the end of the first quarter, up from 67 per cent last year. When measured against the population aged 15 and above, the penetration rate stood at 105 per cent. Mobile broadband data usage reached about 675 million gigabytes during Q1 2025, compared with 610 million gigabytes in the same period of 2024, marking a growth rate of 10.7 per cent. In the fixed broadband sector, total subscriptions rose to 818,000 in Q1 2025, up from 799,000 in Q1 2024, a 2.5 per cent increase. This corresponds to a household penetration rate of 33.5 per cent. Of the total fixed broadband subscriptions, 74 per cent were fibre-optic (FTTH) connections, reaching 607,000 subscriptions by the end of the quarter. Fixed Broadband Wireless Access (FBWA) accounted for 17 per cent of subscriptions, while xDSL made up 8 per cent. Fixed broadband data usage totalled 1.4 billion gigabytes in Q1 2025, up from 1.2 billion gigabytes during the same period in 2024, a 13 per cent increase. Average monthly consumption per subscription rose from 521 GB to 575 GB, a 10.4 per cent increase. The report also revealed that 5G mobile subscriptions reached 225,996 during the first quarter of 2025. Additionally, leased line service subscriptions increased to 24,600 by the end of the quarter, compared with 21,000 in Q1 2024, a growth rate of 17.1 per cent.
Middle East Eye
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Internet and phone services slowly return to Gaza after outage
Internet and landline services are gradually resuming across Gaza City and the north of the Strip following a recent blackout, according to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), reported Wafa. Connectivity has also returned to central and southern areas after a three-day disruption caused by repeated Israeli attacks that severely damaged vital infrastructure. In a statement on Saturday evening, the TRC praised the work of telecom company crews, who managed to carry out repairs despite dangerous and complex conditions on the ground. The authority warned that Gaza's communications sector remains in crisis, with outages heavily affecting key services including healthcare, humanitarian relief, and education. The TRC urged protection for technicians and called for safe conditions that would allow service continuity, especially given the worsening humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.
Middle East Eye
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Gaza telecom services cut off again by Israel
Telecommunications services have collapsed again across southern and central Gaza as Israel's offensive continues to damage critical infrastructure, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) reported Monday. The TRC said it's working with providers to assess outages and restore connectivity. "We're monitoring the situation hour by hour to support repair efforts," the regulator stated, while demanding protection for repair crews attempting to access damaged sites, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. Gaza has suffered repeated communication blackouts since October 2023, with the latest occurring after intense bombardment and generator fuel shortages last week. The TRC stressed the urgent need to maintain these vital services given Gaza's worsening humanitarian crisis.
