SAMENA International Roaming Group (SIRG)

	Group Chairman Mr. Baha Al Lawati Senior Manager, International Roaming and C/T GM Carrier & Roaming Services Omantel - Oman
	Group Vice-Chairman Mr. Obaid Ur Rahman Head, International Carrier & Roaming Services, Qtel Group - Qatar

Purpose

The purpose of the SIRG is to demonstrate leadership among telecom operators in the SAMENA region to develop and shape appropriate initiatives with respect to international roaming. As part of the broader SAMENA Council, the initiative further aims to promote best practices and support growth and innovation in the telecommunications industry.

SIRG Membership

Membership in the SIRG is open to any entity that is currently a SAMENA Council telecom operator member. Persons appointed to attend SIRG meetings shall be employed by and represent a telecom operator and must possess the requisite expertise in and knowledge of the issue of IR. Telecom operators may join the SIRG by contacting the SAMENA Council Secretariat. Full SIRG membership shall be limited to telecom operators and shall not include advisers or consultants; non-operators, however, may be invited to attend SIRG meetings as observers.

SIRG Leadership

The SIRG shall elect from amongst its membership a Member who shall serve as Chairman and a Member who shall serve as Vice-Chairman of the SIRG. The Chairman and the Vice-Chairman shall each be elected separately to a two-year term. A performance review and confirmation of each officer shall take place at the end of each year. No person may serve more than two (2) full two-year terms of office. The SIRG shall, having previously received nominations, vote by secret ballot and elect its leadership. The nominee for Chairman receiving the most votes shall be selected as Chairman. The nominee for Vice Chairman receiving the most number of votes shall be elected as Vice Chairman. In the event of a tie vote, subsequent ballots of the tied nominees shall be conducted until a winner is selected. Additional leadership positions may be created by majority vote of the SIRG.

SIRG Mandate

The SIRG is given the following mandate and shall regularly report to the SAMENA Council’s Board of Directors on its execution:

• Assume a leadership role with respect to international roaming in the SAMENA region.
• Liaise with regulators, ministries, policy-makers and other concerned stakeholders in the SAMENA region, when appropriate, to keep them informed of the SIRG’s activities and results.
• Promote international best practices, including ethical industry standards with respect to international roaming, supporting growth and innovation in the telecommunications industry.
• Foster regular communication and dialogue between SAMENA Council’s membership and regulators, ministries, policy-makers and other governmental stakeholders with respect to international roaming issues in the SAMENA region.
• Promote regional harmonization of industry standards with regards to international roaming practices amongst Members in the SAMENA region to improve quality of service and enhance the customer experience.
• Foster further cooperation and agreement between members with respect to the issue of international roaming and, when appropriate, present such agreement to the SAMENA Council Board of Directors for approval.
• Report to the SAMENA Council Board of Directors regularly regarding the execution and implementation of this Charter and any further agreement that may result.
• Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
• Conduct an annual evaluation and assessment of the effectiveness of the SIRG and its leadership in achieving its goals and report to the Board of Directors.

 

SIRG Members

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