The concept of “open access” refers to access to terrestrial or submarine fiber-optic systems by operators or service providers(holders of a telecommunications operating license or permit to engage in the provision of telecommunications infrastructure or services) on nondiscriminatory and transparent terms (for pricing and nonpricing aspects) and cost-based pricing. P12+++++++++++++++++++++In most of the MENA countries, access to terrestrial cross-border connectivity also remains under the sole control of the incumbent operator. This is due to two reasons. In some countries, the incumbent operator holds exclusive rights (Djibouti, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Yemen). In other cases, there are regulatory barriers to entry related to the individual licensing model combined with the need to obtain a fixed/mobile license (Algeria, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates). Obtaining a fixed-line license with coverage obligations is a deterrent to entry by submarine cable operators that have a business model focused on providing international connectivity. The required investment is also
a multiple of the pure international backbone infrastructure.p12