THE TELECOMS INDUSTRY MEDIA PLATFORM

Etisalat Group: Spearheading the digital future while achieving record results

Eng. Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Group

The sky’s the limit: It’s all about the chips: Navigating the Space welcomes Opportunities in times data processing Arab satellites in orbit of crisis highway HUAWEI IdeaHub

Know More MAY 2021 CONTENTS 2 MAY 2021 EDITORIAL 3

Editor in Chief & Senior ICT Analyst Toni Eid [email protected]

THE TELECOMS INDUSTRY MEDIA PLATFORM Senior Journalist & Content Manager Toni Eid, Christine Ziadeh founder [email protected] editor in chief Telecom Review International Journalists Elvi Correos 6 14 [email protected] Jonathan Pradhan [email protected]

Editorial Team Christine Ziadeh (Lebanon), Corrine Teng (Singapore), Elvi Correos (UAE), Jeff Digital pass: Seal (USA), Jennifer Saade (Lebanon), Jonathan Pradhan (UAE), Marielena Geagea (Lebanon), Toni Eid (UAE) Advertising Enquiries A call to the WHO Mohammed Ershad Etisalat Group: Spearheading the digital future ICT now a foundation to ensure sustainable [email protected] For over a year now, the whole world is grappling with the repercussions of a while achieving record results development Graphic Designer serious pandemic. The travel industry has been affected more than anything else. Tatiana Issa The events’ business is also one of sectors that are bearing the brunt despite the organization of virtual events that have been a good solution but never an Responsible Manager alternative to in-person events. 18 22 Joseph Bou Daher News The talk of a global digital pass which includes our Covid19 medical records Provided in cooperation with comprising of PCR tests results and vaccination update, was promising but AFP, the global news agency unfortunately hasn’t materialized yet.

Published by As this is a new pandemic, confusion reigned around who is the right authority to approve this pass - is it the WHO, the IATA, or each airline in coordination with the country’s health authority?

Trace Media Ltd. Trials were conducted between UK and Singapore flights and the Emirates and Zouk Mikael, Lebanon Dubai Health Authority will have their own pass soon so whereby vaccinated Kaslik Sea Side Road, residents can fly without presenting any documents or waiting for confirmation Badawi Group Building, 4th Floor, ahead of travel. Nokia’s network expertise and software solutions Women empowerment at the heart of Zain Group’s P.O. Box 90-2113, Jdeidet el Metn helping telcos carry out their 5G evolution initiatives Tel. +961 9 211741 M. +961 70 519 666 The EU health chief said in statement that as of June, vaccinated travelers will be eligible to travel without having to undergo quarantines within the union countries, but strictly for the vaccines approved by the EU. 20 The sky’s the limit: Space welcomes Arab 40 It’s all about the chips: Opportunities in times of Trace Media FZ.LLC. satellites in orbit crisis Dubai Media City, UAE Why haven’t all the efforts deployed to launch a unified global pass borne fruit? Building 7, 3rd Floor, Office 341 P.O. Box 502498, Dubai, UAE 24 How the Unified Billing facilitates digital 42 Network automation and SD-WAN discussed at Tel. +971 4 4474890 The WHO has been very slow and this delay was pushing many local authorities to transformation: A story from Nexign and Telecom Review virtual panel M. +971 55 639 7080 take independent actions. MegaFon Printing The United Nations should push the WHO to take responsibility and save the 50 Navigating the data processing highway United Printing and Publishing 26 Growth trends in fiber optic cable use economy and millions of jobs around the world whether in the airlines business, © All rights reserved hotels or even ground staff at airports. 28 Tedmob CEO: “We don’t just build your digital 52 What does the surge in electric vehicles mean for Publication of any of the contents business, we accelerate it” the ICT industry? is prohibited The technology is available and it has proven its success in global digital platforms, therefore, immediate action should be taken. 34 How telcos will succeed with 5G campus Year 16 | Issue 173 networks 1 month free rental on Free Office 365 Free eStore solution Internet Bundles support

Free Video calls and Free Video Surveillance Free TV with Online meetings installation Digital Signage MAY 2021 COVER STORY 6 MAY 2021 COVER STORY 7

The telecom industry is undergoing an unprecedented digital transformation. With evolving technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, Internet-of-Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, cloud, robotics, and blockchain, as well as the introduction of new business models to cater to the changing customer Etisalat recorded the highest annual “In this time of uncertainty, our primary demands, Etisalat Group results with net profits touching Dh9 goal is to keep our valuable customers, billion & 3.8% YoY growth employees, and society fully connected.” remains at the forefront With an international footprint that extends to 16 countries across Asia, Following this, the unveiled Q1 2021 of digital innovation in the Middle East, and Africa, Etisalat results display a continuation of the continued its focus on enhancing the strong performance the company has Eng. Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Etisalat Group . core business and exploring new growth achieved over the past year. In detail, opportunities, while being well-equipped consolidated revenues for the first ocusing on end-to-end for delivering its digital capabilities and quarter amounted to Dh13.2 billion, digitization, Etisalat solutions. representing an increase of 0.8% underpins the digital YOY and 1.2% quarter-over-quarter. Etisalat recorded revolution by adapting As a result, Etisalat’s dedication Moreover, the consolidated net profit Etisalat Group: to an increasingly to building a robust, agile, and after Federal Royalty amounted to Dh2.3 tech-reliant lifestyle, transformative business allows a strong, billion, representing a 7.9% increase YoY the highest annual supporting businesses sustainable, and profitable shareholder and 14.7% quarter over quarter, resulting results with net profits Fon the way they operate and deliver value and returns. In retrospect, Etisalat in a net profit margin of 18%. Spearheading the value, and providing smarter solutions Group announced its consolidated toward government and cities. 2020 has net profit for the year 2020 of Dh9 In terms of Earnings Before Interest, touching Dh9 billion & been a challenging year and yet Etisalat’s billion, recording a 3.8% year-on-year Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization journey was transformational as it (YOY) growth that has been attributed (EBITDA), it is stable compared to the 3.8% YoY growth braces the “new normal” and accelerates to strong growth in international prior year with a 51% EBITDA margin, digital future while further toward the future. operations. Since 2016, these results amounting to Dh 6.8 billion, representing are among the highest annual profits an increase of 0.7% YOY and 7.4% Among its outstanding feats are a robust recorded by the Group. quarter over quarter. financial performance, recognition as the strongest brand in the Middle Eng. Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Etisalat Group The company’s generated first-quarter achieving record East and Africa region, brand new emphasized that Etisalat’s advanced results are the outcome of its efforts to investments for telecom infrastructure network, recognised for being the serving consumers in the new work- and technological advancements, and fastest mobile network in 2020, and its and-learn-from-anywhere scenario, extended efforts for achieving massive ability to adapt and implement plays an according to Hatem Dowidar. Besides, results digital transformation. instrumental role during the pandemic. the leading telco will continue to focus MAY 2021 COVER STORY 8 MAY 2021 COVER STORY 9

smartest and best connectivity to Expo Etisalat’s services in the 5G network will 2020 play an important role in delivering the Focusing on its vision to ‘drive the digital fastest, smartest and best connectivity future to empower societies,’ Etisalat to ensure that the massive security and has been at the forefront to bring digital logistical readiness is in place for the ambitions to reality by spearheading mega world expo. the deployment of the 5G network and setting a major benchmark in the Commenting on Etisalat’s participation, industry. Dr. Ahmed Bin Ali, Group Senior Vice President, Corporate Communication, “Etisalat has become a key regional and Etisalat, commented saying, “As the Etisalat driving the international player in 5G especially with Official Telecommunications and one of the biggest world expo powered Digital Services Premier Partner of digital future to by 5G to be held next year”, said Etisalat Expo 2020 Dubai, Etisalat is proud to Group CEO. have supported Pavilions Premiere and the debut of Terra – The Sustainability empower societies The upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai is Pavilion. We delivered state-of-art being seen as an event that will foster telecommunications and digital services, bringing it to the global trade and bring countries providing a superior visitor experience together to come up with real-life thanks to the fastest network on earth.” forefront of digital solutions to business challenges worldwide. The UAE has been lauded Innovative customer service strategy innovation by the participating countries for its and adoption of the digital-first on capitalizing on opportunities and reflecting investors’ confidence in globally in the strongest brands index. technological infrastructure to host such marketplace has been the key driver enhancing the overall customer Etisalat Group’s performance, strong Etisalat achieved this global brand massive world events. As the country’s for Etisalat’s success and growth experience while delivering long-term financial profile, and credit ratings. strength through its continuous efforts leading company, in leading the 5G revolution and the value for all shareholders. Specifically, Aa3 stable (Moody’s) and and investments in accelerating value Etisalat is the preferred premier digital successful launch of global brand- AA- Stable (S&P Global) are considered to its consumers across markets services and telecommunications building initiatives. Etisalat has tirelessly In fact, during the Annual General within the highest ratings in the with the launch of many successful partner of Expo 2020 Dubai and it is led digital innovation in the country by Meeting (AGM), the Etisalat Group industry. innovative global branding initiatives. prepared to deliver the 5G connectivity working on several digital initiatives in shareholders agreed to distribute a full- for the millions of delegates and visitors infrastructure, entertainment, and smart year cash dividend of 80 fils per share More so, Morocco-based Maroc This recognition put Etisalat up 17 participating in the event. cities. for the FY 2020 and additional one- Telecom, the first global telecom spots in the global 500 brand value time special dividends of 40 fils per operator in the country, continuously ranking from 225th to 208th and is share. This brings the total dividend per expands its mobile network ranked among the top five strongest share to AED 1.20. Not only that, but coverage that reached 99% of the telecom brands across global markets shareholders also approved raising the Moroccan population in 2020. This and the strongest telecom brand in the non-UAE national (foreign) ownership is one of the impacts of the signed MEA region. limit from 20% to 49%. deal worth Dh10 billion dirhams between the telco and the Moroccan For the fifth year in a row, Etisalat has Etisalat Group’s new bonds issuance government in 2019 to develop retained its title of the most valuable aims to maximise shareholders value telecoms infrastructure over the next telecom portfolio of brands, touching by reducing the cost of funding three years. over AED 40 billion, including Etisalat Etisalat Group has announced the Misr, Mobily, , , successful completion of a bond Etisalat made history becoming the PTCL and is also the only telecom issuance worth one billion euros to strongest telecom brand in MEA brand to retain AAA brand rating. refinance the maturing bond it had region and ranked among the top 5 issued in 2014 for the acquisition of telecom brands globally Commenting on Etisalat’s a controlling stake (53%) in Maroc In January 2021, Etisalat made history achievements, David Haigh, CEO, Brand Telecom. Issued in two tranches, the when Brand Finance, the world’s Finance commented saying, “When first is a 7-year tranche amounting to leading independent brand valuation COVID struck in 2020, Etisalat led from 500 million euros with an annual yield and strategy consultancy, named it the the front ensuring business continuity, of 0.4 percent while the second tranche strongest brand across all categories digital and innovative solutions… is for a 12-year period worth 500 in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) staying relevant and enabling the million euros with a 1 percent annual region. The Group scored a Brand nation with the fastest network on the yield. Strength Index (BSI) score of 87.4 planet, Etisalat has earned its place as out of 100 and a corresponding AAA the region’s ‘Strongest Brand.’” The bond issuance was very successful brand strength rating – the only brand as it witnessed a remarkable demand in the region to achieve this rating. It Etisalat’s 5G network will play an from local and international investors, put Etisalat among the top 25 brands important role in delivering the fastest, MAY 2021 COVER STORY 10 MAY 2021 COVER STORY 11

Huawei’s Virtual IMS which allow the technologies such as 5G, AI, cloud, strengthened through the partnership Single Voice Core solution support and blockchain of Nokia and Mobily in deploying for 2G/3G/LTE/5G/VoBB all in one The Middle East is among the leading narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) core to avoid the complex integration, regions for digital transformation, technology across its infrastructure. operations, and maintenance for the CS and Etisalat contributes to this by More than 4,000 LTE base stations have core and IMS coexistence. focusing on creating more value in been enabled to support enhanced the lives of customers and the growth NB-IoT cell connectivity. This will help Key investments for telecom of businesses, as well as utilizing a businesses including energy, transport, infrastructure combination of technologies such and health to deliver improved The UAE was ranked first in the Gulf as 5G, AI, cloud, and blockchain in customer experience through Mobily’s and the wider region on its telecom empowering digital societies. network. infrastructure, according to a United Nations (UN) e-government survey. Cloud and data centers are among “With communication and connectivity The Telecommunications and Digital the innovative solutions that Etisalat gaining more significance and demand Government Regulatory Authority Digital has to offer. Providing traditional more than ever during the pandemic, (TDRA) previously mentioned that colocation and managed services for telcos play a critical role in closing this telecom operators in the country have more than two decades, Etisalat’s cloud gap of digital readiness by becoming allotted a huge budget for infrastructure services have been operational for four the engines of resilience and innovation. investment, making the UAE’s years and are growing exponentially. Moving ahead, network modernization infrastructure among the best in the It has 11 data centers within the UAE and digital transformation play a key world in terms of fiber optic services with 18,500 m2 of raised floor and 23 role in bringing this change to society,” and overall network coverage. MW of power, with colocation services Hatem Dowidar remarked. from six data centers in Dubai, three Etisalat plays a major role in these in Abu Dhabi, and one each in Al Ain Taking all this into consideration, the Etisalat’s vision to ‘Drive the digital enterprises (SMEs) by creating an deployment of its 5G network that investments. By being the first national and Fujairah that are mainly used for all-inclusive digital transformation future to empower societies’ brings it abundance of opportunities in the UAE. enables applications in areas such telecom provider, initiator of the first international carriers. provides the telecom industry with to the forefront of digital innovation in as AI, IoT, virtual reality (VR), and rollout of commercial Internet services significant growth opportunities. telecommunications To ease the pain points of the SME augmented reality (AR). It strives to in the region, up to the first launch of At Help AG, unmatched technical Standing still as a leading telecom Etisalat launched a slew of services sector in times of the pandemic, Etisalat address Industry 4.0 opportunities commercial 5G in the region, Etisalat expertise and industry-leading network, Etisalat serves as a backbone in the first quarter of 2021. “Striking partnered with Etihad Airways to to benefit enterprises from various has been focused on establishing a cybersecurity solutions are made of the digital economy, bringing digital the right partnerships with technology provide mobile and digital solutions for technological use cases in areas well-connected network that could be available. As Nicolai Solling, chief transformation and innovation across leaders and entrepreneurs in close the SMB and startup community. Under such as energy, healthcare, education, the difference in achieving a long- technology officer at Help AG explained markets. partnership with government and the agreement, Etihad and Etisalat transport, and entertainment, providing lasting digital transformation. in line with the State of the Market private sector were key factors to push aim to jointly design special products, new revenue opportunities. Report 2021, cybersecurity takes us to innovate and lead in this space,” offers, and activities that support SMB’s In detail, the network coverage today collaboration amongst all responsible Dowidar pointed out. to start and grow their business with In the B2B segment, Etisalat has reaches across the country with 4G actors in the government and private the latest innovative and convenient partnered with Nokia to launch a LTE network coverage touching 99.70% sectors. This is a must to improve the In February, Etisalat launched the solutions. 5G network for enhanced mobile and 3G covering 99.82%, while fiber-to- region’s digital security landscape. Smiles food order and delivery broadband (eMBB) services, expand the-home (FTTH) has reached 95.7% of services in the UAE as part of its effort Similarly, Etisalat’s Digital Financial 5G coverage, and unlock new revenue homes across the UAE. Along with this, Citing an example, the UAE Trade to innovate and enhance customer Services (DFS) partnered with opportunities. Under the arrangement, network deployments in 5G reached Connect (UTC) is a unique platform that experience. In April, Etisalat vowed Al-Futtaim to enable secure and Nokia has deployed its AirScale radio over 35% covering the main cities in will enable UAE banks and the supply to donate 5% of all food orders contactless payment options for platform, based on 3GPP 5G New UAE. chain industry to join the platform to Etisalat is a leading placed on its Smiles app, to UAE’s eWallet customers across the country. Radio (NR) standards, utilizing massive combat fraud and duplication in the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign. The Additionally, as part of its commitment Multiple Input Multiple Output (ma- The UAE, particularly Fujairah, is trade finance space. Banks such as telecom player with donations provided food parcels for to support and empower people of MIMO) radio technology. ranked as the biggest location for Commercial Bank International (CBI), disadvantaged individuals and families determination, Etisalat partnered submarine landings in the region. Thus, Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), the fastest network in across 20 countries in the Middle East, with the Ministry of Community To support next-gen networks, Etisalat Etisalat has invested in data centers to Emirates NBD, FAB, Mashreq Bank, Asia, and Africa during the Holy Month Development to launch a web extension and Cisco are building the region’s first complement its telecom infrastructure National Bank of Fujairah (NBF), and the world & ranked as of Ramadan. to make accessing the web autistic open and autonomous, and secured called SmartHub. Known as the biggest Rakbank can send invoice information friendly. Etisalat collaborated with network. Etisalat will leverage Cisco carrier hotel, it minimizes latency into a private permissioned blockchain the strongest telecom His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Brussels-based IT company Bliss AI/ML automation to simplify Etisalat and delivers outstanding end-user network. This information is then run Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and to come up with a web extension Emirates Internet Exchange (EMIX) performance. Also, it includes direct through Etisalat’s fraud detection Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of aimed at empowering autistic people operations with a set of innovative use access to a major cloud platform, system, which uses AI to check the brand in MEA Dubai honored Etisalat along with other and personalizing their browsing cases aimed at providing intent-based Etisalat’s IP network, and the Middle authenticity of the invoice data. contributors for its role in raising over experience. and closed-loop automation solutions East’s largest Internet Exchange. Dh188 million from the humanitarian to the EMIX network. At the same time, fostering informed campaign. The ‘Fourth Industrial Etisalat has been prominent in Etisalat contributes to creating decisions based on real-time Revolution’ solutions will be led by the growing global ecosystem of Additionally, Etisalat Misr and Huawei more value in the lives of customers information for business success, entrepreneurs and small and medium telecommunication with the rapid completed the first VoLTE call using and the growth of businesses with Etisalat’s IoT solutions have been

MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 14 MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 15

region left. I think this has brought In the past 30 years, Huawei has pandemic. In this regard, what is some impact on the revenue of deployed 1,500 networks worldwide, Huawei’s plan to support economic operators. serving 3 billion people in more recovery in the Middle East? ICT now a than 170 countries and regions. Ultimately, the pandemic has We have heard a lot of news So far, no major incident related to accelerated digital transformation. about Huawei’s contribution to cybersecurity privacy protection has During the pandemic, global network the automotive business. Can you occurred. traffic has increased by approximately clarify the company’s plans in this 50%. Cloud migration has become foundation regard? Huawei recently joined OIC-CERT, a the first choice for enterprises, and Electric cars and smart cars are leading international cybersecurity 85% of enterprises have chosen certainly a trend for the future. In the platform. This is the first time Huawei cloud services. At the same time, meantime, core technologies such as has joined the cybersecurity platform demand for home broadband has artificial intelligence, 5G, and cloud of the Islamic world, and Huawei is increased by more than 20% in the to ensure services will play a big role. the organization’s first leading ICT last year. All these changes indicate member. OIC-CERT is committed to that ICT will become a new engine of To confirm, Huawei is not building providing expertise in cyber crisis digital economic growth in the post- its own vehicles. Instead, we management and continuously pandemic era. focus on using our ICT solutions protecting cybersecurity through as a component supplier for global cooperation. As a member of The pandemic has also made us sustainable smart vehicles, helping traditional this organization, we will work with realize the importance of globalization manufacturers build better vehicles. all cybersecurity stakeholders on an and diversification for the future. To We provide smart components to our open and transparent platform to face the challenges posed by the customers, including cloud services ensure end-to-end cybersecurity. pandemic, we must work together to for smart cars, smart cockpits, smart build a solid foundation to ensure the development networking, and smart electrics. That said, I believe that cybersecurity sustainable development of the digital is not the responsibility of only one economy. Huawei’s smart vehicle solutions enterprise, nor can it be achieved by have unique advantages. For one enterprise alone. Cybersecurity Following a string of recent conferences and the release example, we have mature full-stack needs to be built by the whole ICT development capabilities in the society. I have always stressed of its 2020 Annual Report, Telecom Review catches up to-business market, as well as an that Huawei is willing to sign Charles Yang, President of Huawei with Charles Yang, President of Huawei Middle East, on understanding of experience design cybersecurity agreements with any Middle East in the consumer market. Overall, our country in the region. plans for the region. solid understanding of consumers can be reflected in the innovation of Can you share with us your smart car parts to make consumers expectations for Huawei’s business s a key driver users with the best customer region, is relatively good. Traffic more comfortable. Second, our growth in the Middle East in 2021? of digital experiences. In addition, we will across the Middle East increased consumer-facing design capabilities In general, we are very confident in transformation work with operators and partners to approximately 40% last year due to are very strong, especially process the Middle East business this year. In the past 30 years, and larger explore 5G commercial use cases. the pandemic, because almost all design. Therefore, we hope to make This is because we have gained the socio-economic For example, in , we activities are online now, such as smart cars more competitive through trust and support from governments, Huawei has deployed development, work with stc and Aramco to use 5G online meetings, online education, joint efforts between Huawei and operators, and enterprise partners in what are Huawei’s technologies to improve efficiency and online shopping. Last year’s traditional auto manufacturers. the Middle East over more than 20 1,500 networks Acurrent plans for the development of and reduce costs. Now we have just pandemic has affected many years. I think operators’ businesses 5G in the region? signed a 5G port in Oman. In the UAE, industries, raised more demands on With so many projects in hand, what are stable, and I think the enterprise worldwide, serving What we see is that the combination we cooperate with ADNOC in oil and the ICT communications industry, do you see as Huawei’s contribution network market will grow rapidly. of 5G, cloud, and AI has become a gas, as well as Abu Dhabi Airports, to and brought more opportunities as to enhancing network cybersecurity significant development trend and a develop 5G use cases. well. in the Middle East? As for the impact of US sanctions 3 billion people in more new engine for the expansion of the First, Huawei has 30 years of practice on Huawei, the US has had no digital economy. Through all this, we provide the best But as you said, there are factors in cybersecurity. We have an end-to- impact on our ICT infrastructure than 170 countries technologies and services to our that affect operators’ growth and end process, from procurement to business locally. First, we have From the perspective of 5G, the customers, in turn promoting the profitability. I think it’s mainly from R&D to production to final operations. inventory. Second, our supply chain and regions Middle East has experienced the development of the digital economy. two sides. Many countries’ entire Huawei Middle East often invites is diversified. Therefore, we are first wave of 5G construction thanks economy declined to a certain extent global cybersecurity experts to confident that the ICT infrastructure to the joint efforts of governments With 5G on the fast track, what do due to the impact of the pandemic, communicate with governments of of telecom operators and enterprise and operators. Huawei is one of the you think is the main obstacle to the which may affect the profitability of countries to share their experience businesses will not be affected. most important 5G solution providers growth and profitability of telecom operators. Second, due to the impact in cybersecurity governance, to in the region. We will continue to operators today? of the pandemic, international flows help build cybersecurity processes, We know that countries around support operators in 5G construction, The situation of operators in the between countries are restricted, and to improve the cybersecurity the world have different plans build the best networks, and provide Middle East, especially in the GCC and some expatriates working in the capabilities of countries overall. to overcome the impact of the MAY 2021 REGIONAL NEWS 16

Saudi Arabia: 5G leader within GCC region, 127% faster 5G speed globally

countries and faster 5G speed than around the world during Q1 2021, the global average. the Kingdom’s 5G emerged as 127% faster at 322.42 Mbps. The maturity of the 5G market is said to be measured from the ratio In retrospect, Saudi Arabia has of samples from devices that are a new plan to allocate 23 GHz of connected to 5G to the number of spectrum to boost 5G speeds and samples from all 5G-capable devices coverage. The Communications and per country. Within the GCC region, Information Technology Commission Saudi Arabia had the highest ratio (CITC) released the 3-year “Outlook (83.4%) during the first quarter of the for Commercial and Innovative Use year. Qatar is ranked second (80.9%), of the Spectrum in Saudi Arabia” followed by the that elaborates how the spectrum (UAE) with 77.4%, Kuwait (68.5%), and allocation can support a wide range Bahrain (57.9%). Oman, which is the of technologies including mobile, most recent one to have launched satellite, and Wi-Fi. In the Q1 2021 findings of the Internet commercially-available 5G this year performance analyst firm Ookla, has the lowest ratio of only 6.1%. On the other hand, the UAE records Saudi Arabia is ahead of the 5G the fastest mobile speed in the GCC, network landscape across the Gulf As a result of Ookla’s speed test with 100.99 Mbps. Moreover, mobile Cooperation Council (GCC) region and comparing Saudi Arabia’s median users with 5G-capable devices in around the world. The Kingdom has download speed over 5G with an Qatar had the highest 5G availability the highest 5G adoption among GCC average of 5G download speeds (38.1%).

UAE leads in world’s mobile network speed race of 183.03 Mbps and 177.10 Mbps, Etisalat has contributed to the UAE respectively. ranking first in terms of mobile network speed. This is yet another milestone The Speed Test Global index, which achievement for the UAE as well as assesses over 135 countries, Etisalat’s testament to its relentless compares internet speed data from efforts towards its strategy and vision around the world on a monthly basis. to ‘Drive the digital future to empower Data for the index comes from the societies’. hundreds of millions of tests taken by real people using the speed test every As the country’s leading mobile month. operator and world’s fastest mobile network, Etisalat is uplifting the Mobile network speed is regarded national performance, enabling the ICT The UAE has ranked as a leader in a as a major contributing factor to aspirations of the country’s leadership. global mobile index as the country the well-being, economic wealth with the fastest mobile network speed and social prosperity of a nation. Ookla had recognised Etisalat for in the first quarter of 2021, according This achievement has a lot of being the fastest mobile network to the latest data from Ookla, a global favourable implications for a enabling operator worldwide in 2020 providing leader in fixed broadband and mobile environment for future aspirations, its subscribers the most superior network testing applications, data country’s ICT agenda, productivity of experience with the fastest mobile and analysis. businesses, amongst others. speeds from anywhere in the world.

With a download speed of 178.52 This significant achievement adds Just recently Etisalat has partnered with Mbps in March, the country overtook one more feather to the UAE’s cap, Nokia to deploy 5G network, providing South Korea and Qatar in the mobile and comes at an opportune time enhanced mobile broadband services broad speedtest in the Global Country with the recent declaration of 2021 and expanding 5G coverage and revenue Mobile rankings. The UAE also as “Year of the 50th” as the nation opportunities. Nokia’s 5G portfolio overtook both countries in January celebrates its milestone Golden supports Etisalat’s mission of driving the and February, with download speeds Jubilee. digital future to empower societies. MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 18 MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 19

dynamic new business capabilities uphold will be too dynamic for static, how are you addressing the security to capture every revenue opportunity open-loop operational systems and aspect? brought by 5G. That cannot be processes to keep up. Automation Nokia has the network expertise, achieved with static legacy business and AI need to be “designed-in” to software solutions and global services and operations support systems 5G service and network operations to help telecommunications companies (OSS/BSSs), having old architectures, from the start. This will help service plan for and carry out their 5G limited flexibility and lack of real-time providers with four concerns in evolution. Our deep understanding of monetization capabilities. particular: cost, quality, agility and 5G operations and our end-to-end 5G security. portfolio provide a clear path forward Monetization solutions must also to connect the network to the business, be open to enable CSPs to digitally For service providers to address monetize using new business model, interact with customers and partners. those challenges and automate adopt closed-loop processes and In addition, business agility is required successfully, service providers will need establish a truly outside-in approach to so that highly dynamic digital services to put in place an automation-native innovation. can seamlessly be brought to market architecture. rapidly. All of these must be delivered Nokia has extensive references around with greater operational efficiency than What impact does network slicing the globe and is trusted by 270+ ever to support the massive growth in have on OSS/BSS? service providers supporting 1.8 billion data and devices at lower costs. In the 5G era, the network-as-platform subscribers for monetization and will act as enabler of enterprise OSS. For reference, Nokia deployed 5G How important is it to modernize innovation – for use by enterprises CHF, that is already live in Tier-1 NAM OSS/BSS in the 5G era? What are the to develop and deliver solutions to operator’s multivendor 5G SA Core challenges here? their own markets. By leveraging serving millions of customers. Other A wise man once said, “You cannot the software-based capabilities of reference is with Singtel, based on a keep doing the same things over and the 5G network, service providers Network as a Service (NaaS) approach Dalia Nabil, Head of Pre-sales, Cloud over and expect different results”. will create virtualized portions of the that provides customers with highly and Network Services, Nokia MEA Capitalizing on 5G opportunities will network (“slices”) that they can sell customizable services for a variety of require a complete rethinking of the to third parties who can then build 5G 5G use cases and applications enabled traditional approaches to both network capabilities into their own enterprise by Nokia’s next-generation operations and service operations, including the and consumer offerings. suite. people and processes that power Nokia’s network expertise and them. But that evolution should happen The service provider network will Security remains a key consideration incrementally, with automation and AI consist of many slices, each can be for all service providers as they move essential to getting service providers adapted to a different industry set towards 5G. What’s essential is that software solutions helping telcos from where they are today to where of requirements in terms of latency, security be built into 5G services by they want to be - a fully integrated, throughput and other parameters. design, not as an afterthought. It outside-in, market-driven approach to Whether it is a university campus, a needs to be in place any time a new operations. mining company or a multi country service is launched, or new partners carry out their 5G evolution logistics player, each enterprise could and customers are connected to the Modernization is critical to be able to have a “slice” of the network to deliver network. Without it, the massive new OSS/BSS modernization is important in the era of 5G and digital transformation. Dalia dynamically turn network, technology its use cases. These slices will then revenue opportunities of 5G will be at and other assets into business. The need to be orchestrated, operated, risk. Nabil, Head of Pre-sales, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia MEA explains to Telecom challenges are many including: and assured in closed-loop cycles so • Legacy customized systems with ad agreed-upon service-level agreements There are three key things service Review all about the transformative impact of 5G on OSS/BSS systems and the role hoc point-to-point integrations (SLAs) are upheld. providers would require for security • Complex IT architectures with no operations in the 5G era: 1) a holistic that Nokia is playing in that space. open interfaces According to Analysis Mason, security management approach; 2) • Siloed organizations with manual enterprise-focused business use cases, implementation of the SOAR model G is a transformative One of the many challenges to world, especially after the pandemic, steps and no close loop processes such as mobile edge computing and (security orchestration, analytics and technology. How will it overcome to fully realize the future of expectations for new use cases • Legacy offering with existing network slicing, will require modern, response); and 3) digital trust. transform and impact 5G, is the complexity of the current and opportunities are exponentially customer base not used to digital scalable, real-time charging systems. OSS/BSS systems? operations and business support increasing. Much of the promise of channels Further, the report states that, “…it By connecting silos, enabling “cross- 5G, which is systems (BSS). For decades, service these new use cases will come with • Long time to market (TTM) in order will be beneficial for service providers slice visibility”, harnessing AI, SOAR fundamentally providers have been implementing the implementation of new 5G core to define new service/offering to deploy all new stacks to support systems and maintaining digital trust, different from previous complicated and customized layers and technologies that enhance the ability these use cases rather than investing service providers can ensure the 5technologies, is all about use cases silos, which led to a platform far from to deliver dynamic end-to-end network What role does automation play in the in enhancing legacy billing/charging highest degree of assurance for all and new business opportunities. being agile and dynamic. slicing and automated operations. modernization and optimization of systems.” network activities, all while relieving 5G networks is a platform for value OSS/BSS? human beings from tasks they won’t creation, to support new business With the acceleration of the launch of Service providers must maximize 5G network-based services with Where is Nokia in OSS/BSS otherwise be able to keep up with in the models (B2B2B and B2B2C). commercial 5G services around the their return on investment by enabling multiple slices and diverse SLAs to modernization for 5G networks? And complex, dynamic 5G environment. MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 20 MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 21

pan-Arab satellite communications intended to be used in urban planning Alcomsat-1: Launched in December communications industry is booming organization. Founded by the 21 and designing smart cities. 2017, the successful broadcasting of in terms of development due to members of the Arab League, Arabsat public television and radio channels is globalization and a myriad of factors — considered as the leading satellite MeznSat: This 3U CubeSat developed made possible from the new Algerian such as cultural, technological, services provider in the region — has by students from Khalifa University satellite Alcomsat-1. It successfully financial, and geographical. As more been serving the needs of the Arab and the American University in Ras Al carried out the broadcasting of five satellites are launched and more world for over 40 years. Khaimah was launched in September public television channels (National services are available to a wider 2020. This satellite would provide data Programme, Canal Algerie, TVA3, audience, the regional satellite Similar to other regions, the Middle on greenhouse gas concentrations TV4, and TV5) and 57 radio channels, regulation may very well undergo East and North Africa (MENA) is using a shortwave infrared previously broadcasted by foreign further adaptation in the current rich in experience and unique in its spectrometer. It also collects data on satellites. generation. perspective regarding satellites. Here the red tide phenomenon in the UAE. are some of the groundbreaking Arab Maroc-TUBSAT/Mohammed VI-A and Among the key factors in the growth satellites launched: DMSat-1: Launched in March 2021, VI-B: Morocco launched the country’s of the MENA small-satellite market Dubai Municipality collaborated with first microsatellite Maroc-TUBSAT are the increasing need for earth Arabsat-1A. In February 1985, the first MBRSC to develop the Emirate’s first in 2001. Aside from this, Morocco’s observation operations, growth Arabsat satellite launched into orbit. nanometric environmental satellite that two earth observation satellites, of small satellite launch vehicles, This signals the Arab world’s entry into will map air quality and monitor climate Mohammed VI-A and Mohammed emerging telecom sector as well as space. Due to malfunction, it was soon change in the UAE. The data provided VI-B are the most capable optical increased investment by venture followed by the deployment of Arabsat- by the satellite will be used to find surveillance satellites owned by any firms. Additionally, climate change and 1B. The latter is done alongside Saudi solutions to confront the challenges African nation. The two satellites, their rising terror threats are some of the Prince Sultan bin Salman’s historic of urban pollution and climate change. launch services, and ground support, other major factors which are driving space trip aboard NASA’s Discovery Moreover, it explores the future reportedly cost Morocco between 500 the demand for small satellites in the shuttle. environmental reality within the UAE. million and 600 million euros. region. Thus, the launch of the satellite is part The sky’s the limit: Inmarsat GX5. Launched in November of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy The current state of the Middle East According to 6Wresearch, the Arab 2019, this satellite delivers roughly 2050 and UAE Energy Strategy 2050. satellite market region has substantial growth double the combined capacity of the “The UAE’s potential and varied prospects until 2025. The governments entire existing GX fleet. Equipped Shaheen Sat: This locally-made programs in the space sector under are taking several initiatives to upgrade Space welcomes with a significantly expanded ground satellite was successfully launched the leadership’s long-term vision the communication and navigation, station network and enhanced cloud- in March 2021. The satellite will can reinvigorate the rich history of broadcast, and remote sensing based processing, GX5 supports the photograph Earth from space and track Arab-Islamic scientific contributions applications through the launch of Arab satellites in orbit rapid growth in customer demand ships from low orbits. Being among the to humanity. It is time for the Arab low-cost small satellites in space. for GX services in the Middle East, new generation of small-size satellites, world to return to the age of scientific The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Africa particularly for aviation connectivity it includes a high-resolution imaging developments, achievements, are the key growing regions of the “Space is the gateway to science, and science is the and government/commercial maritime telescope that provides satellite images and contributions for the sake of overall MENA small satellite market; services. to serve Saudi Arabia’s development humankind’s progress. Through these particularly the latter as it has relatively driver to the future economy,” said His Highness Sheikh goals of employing artificial intelligence programs and more, we can once low connectivity rates. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and FalconEye. Launched in December techniques and big data. again welcome the Arab-Muslim 2020 in line with the UAE’s 49th nations to the forefront of scientific Currently, leading satellite operators Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE. national day, FalconEye is the fourth EgyptSat 1/MisrSat-1: This is Egypt’s leadership,” said His Excellency Hamad include the Thuraya Satellite reconnaissance satellite launched by first Earth remote sensing satellite Obaid Al Mansoori, Head of the UAE Communication Company, Al Yah he Middle East Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United this country. Developed together with launched in 2007. It is currently defunct Digital Government and Director Satellite Communications Company, is known as a Arab Emirates (UAE) have established Airbus Defence and Space and Thales now as the contact with the satellite General of the Telecommunications and MBRSC. These operators are frontrunner for space agencies and operate their own Alenia Space, the satellite is specifically has been lost since 2010. On the other and Digital Government Regulatory destined to provide more advanced innovation, and this satellites. designed for mapping, agricultural and hand, a series of Egyptian satellites Authority. satellite services over the years. is not only limited environmental monitoring, and urban dubbed “Next” will be launched starting SES’ research shows that 30% of the to technological By definition, satellites establish secure planning, as well as to support the from December 2021. In the MENA region, there are a Middle East’s population will have 5G advancements and reliable communication networks needs of the UAE’s Armed Forces. few organizations that provide networks by 2025. This technological Tthat we can benefit from in a tangible and overcome connectivity gaps in MisrSat-2/EgyptSat 2: To demonstrate guidance and regulate the satellite advancement will affect satellite manner. Space science and technology remote or rural areas. The multi- KhalifaSat: the first Emirati satellite Egypt’s capacity for space exploration, telecommunications industry. These innovation in the future. Hussein Oteifa, have become an essential field for billion-dollar satellite industry has built from the ground up was launched the MisrSat-2 satellite will be 100% include the ITU’s Arab Regional General Manager, Sales, Middle East, countries seeking to develop their seen phenomenal growth for the past into orbit in October 2018. This manufactured locally and is scheduled Office (ARO) in Egypt, established in SES Networks commented: “Given terrestrial infrastructures and human decades and is anticipated to prosper heralded a new era in global space for completion by August 2022. While 1991; Arabsat; and the Arab States the diverse geographical landscape resources in various areas. further as the interest for space exploration within the Emirates. in September 2022, the EgyptSat Broadcasting Union (ASBU) which give of the region, and satellite’s unique innovation surges. Developed by a team of young Emirati 2 satellite will be launched to be certain rights and responsibilities that ability to connect remote areas, there As a matter of fact, Arabs have invested engineers from the Mohammed used in sensor applications with a are tantamount to regulation. is definitely huge potential to integrate billions of dollars in various programs A preview on Arab satellites Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), photographic accuracy of two meters. By and large, the satellite industry high-performance satellite seamlessly that will benefit academic, technical, The beginning of the Arab space KhalifaSat is equipped with the latest This is designed in cooperation with is as diverse as it is complicated. into 5G networks and accelerate the and economic fields. Algeria, Egypt, age can be credited to Arabsat, the in space and imaging technology, China. In the MENA region, the satellite rollout.” MAY 2021 WOMEN IN ICT 22 MAY 2021 WOMEN IN ICT 23

between the ages 8 and 14 years Women empowerment with 10 hours of training in coding. As a woman in the ICT field, what are the challenges that you faced at the heart of Zain to reach a leadership position? And how did you overcome them? The company’s evolution and its effort to continue to drive the Group’s initiatives agenda of sustainability provided the opportunity to really understand the role sustainability plays within Women are excelling in the ICT industry which proves the context of digital services and technological advancements. This the need to bridge the gender gap in order to give gave me the opportunity to grow Jennifer Suleiman, chief with the company and continued to women more opportunities to prove their skills in sustainability officer, Zain Group encourage me to drive and lead in this realm. It is extremely important the field. Zain Group has recently published a report to set the vision of what the function entitled “Women in Tech - Bridging the Gender Gap in does and consistently revise, adapt and evolve with the upcoming trends STEM Fields” to highlight this matter. In an exclusive economies from reaching their and ever-changing landscape. I was full potential as it omits half of the able to leverage on the symbiotic interview with Telecom Review, Jennifer Suleiman, chief population’s potential and talent to relationship of technology and social contribute to the economy. movements and how they help one sustainability officer, Zain Group explains more about another. How is Zain addressing the gender the report’s outcomes and her influencing role as a gap in STEM? In your opinion, how can the status leading woman in the ICT field. Zain is continually driving equality of gender inclusion in the ICT programs, recognizing the need to industry be improved? push an agenda that is cohesive, ICT as an industry must set proper ain Group released gap is considered “the unfinished inclusive, and fair to all. This thought targets in place and ensure that its thought business of our time.” leadership report is another tool to it integrates the Sustainable leadership report highlight the extent of the exclusion Development Goals (SDGs) as a 2021 entitled As the number of girls gaining an of women from STEM-related fields, framework and guiding principle “Women in Tech education increases, disparities and what is needed to close the as it will ensure gender inclusion is - Bridging the associated with access to gender gap across the region and embedded within all functions of the Gender Gap in opportunities, quality and topics beyond. business. By creating a clear strategy ZSTEM Fields.” What are the main they choose to study becomes more and end-goal that actively combats highlights of the report? And what evident. It is imperative for girls to The company established a number gender biases will help in building impact did it have on the industry? further develop themselves in STEM of initiatives that aim to close an efficient ecosystem that has an The report focuses on exploring education, as careers in these areas the gender gap in STEM where inclusive, resilient, and equitable important issues regarding the cause, are seen as the jobs of the future, it supported the Women in Data direction. What message can you relay movement for others to join and nature, and effects of the challenges driving innovation, social well-being, Science Conference (WiDS), which to women aspiring to join the advocate for inclusion. faced by women as related to STEM. inclusive growth, and sustainable emphasized the importance of As women bring a unique perspective ICT workforce? And to the ICT Zain’s 2021 Thought Leadership development. women’s participation in the global to problems, marginalizing them companies in our region? Find mentors who inspire you Report provides insights on the digital economy. The company then from certain fields leads to negative Determination and drive are key and nurture those relationships. gender gap in STEM, highlighting Women are underrepresented in committed and achieved its target of consequences. This risk is evident in to driving change. We must work Connecting with other people its impact on socio-economic the technology sector and even certifying over 100 women across its STEM, as some technologies might collectively as men and women who have been in your position development across the board. though large strides have been country operations in the field of data be developed with unconscious to see change and development. especially in the ICT industry, can made in STEM education, it has science and data analytics. biases integrated within those As ICT companies, it is part of our really help with achieving your goals Women account for half of not translated into employment. solutions. As such, the inclusion social contract to be as inclusive as and aspirations and overcoming the world’s population and Studies have shown that even though In Bahrain, Zain launched Girls for of women must start in the design possible - not only from and gender obstacles. ICT companies must are fundamental to ensuring a countries have largely invested in Tech Camp in partnership with the process of products, services and perspective but also of people with continue to drive gender inclusion sustainable future and peaceful improving girls’ education including Supreme Council for Women and policy creation. With the world disabilities and other marginalized as they have an opportunity to societies. There has been some STEM education, cultural and Clever Play, which is an organization migrating towards a digital economy, communities. Companies in the address the digital gender divide. progress made towards achieving societal constraints have hindered that aims to inspire children’s we must ensure that when digital region must invest in programs that Technological adoption is moving at a more equitable society, however, this needed transition, impacting curiosity and passion for STEM. solutions are created, women’s promote inclusivity, monitor and an extremely rapid pace, as such the there is still a long way to go and societies in a dramatic manner. This Established in October 2019, the perspectives and viewpoints are assess impact, leverage on cross- industry must make sure that it is according to the UN, the gender gap in STEM employment prevents program aims to equip 1,000 girls considered from inception. sector partnerships, and spark a leaving no one behind. MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 24 MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 25

hat were the microservices to help our developers or operation service, which resulted in key goals of external suppliers to promptly create and the increase of its efficiency. The time the Unified test new products. Creation of the middle to market (TTM) for various product Billing project layer above the billing enabled us to slash categories reduced by 2-5 times. We also for MegaFon? TTM from several quarters to 2-3 weeks. launched more than 100 new projects SN: We thanks to the microservices fabric. needed As an added value, MegaFon is now toW support digital and business able to quickly solve tasks related to How would you summarize the key transformation, improve the quality piloting and testing without making advantages of collaboration with of customer service and accelerate changes to the core of the billing. Nexign? launch of new business projects. A very Moreover, the middle layer created a SN: Nexign’s partner-centric approach important goal for us was to create setting for integrating new partners. The was extremely valuable in the course an ecosystem that will facilitate faster microservices fabric consolidated on of the project. Thanks to the effective integration of the external partners. this level serves as a basis for partner collaboration with Nexign’s team, the Finally, we wanted to optimize total cost and customer cooperation in the joint transformation of our business was of ownership (TCO) for the billing system initiatives. manageable and stress-free. Through by 20-30%. consolidation and upgrade of our What measures did you take to ensure systems, Nexign helped us achieve faster What is particularly remarkable about seamless migration of MegaFon’s go-to-market time for new products the project? subscriber base? and brought measurable value to our IG: The joint team, which consisted of IG: The need to migrate subscribers to business. more than 1500 people, carried out a a new platform while still using legacy comprehensive transformation of the solutions until they were replaced was How can results of Nexign’s operator’s systems. This transformation a challenge for us. In order to avoid collaboration with MegaFon be applied enabled MegaFon to not only improve disruptions in customer service, the to the MEA market? business efficiency and enter a new migration of a huge subscriber base to a IG: Our long-term collaboration with phase of development, but also to new platform was carried out in stages. MegaFon involved a variety of projects, strengthen customer loyalty while Nexign and MegaFon moved the data of which address the challenges of CSPs Igor Gorkov, CEO, Nexign Sergey Nikiforets, Director of Digital Services, MegaFon maintaining a high level of service in all B2C, B2B, B2G and B2O customers to a globally, including the MEA region. One regions. Among the major milestones new platform gradually, and the last stage example is the implementation of the were the gradual migration of all of the project involved decommissioning Policy and Charging Rules Function segments of MegaFon’s subscriber base of legacy billing systems. (PCRF). It enabled MegaFon to launch and creation of the product catalogue and more flexible and customer-oriented the microservices fabric. SN: In the course of the project, additional pay-as-you-go tariffs, which helped the How the Unified Billing facilitates tariff schemes were introduced directly operator ensure competitive advantage Could you please speak in more detail into the new billing system, and the and adapt its offerings to changing about the product catalogue? existing ones were transferred step by demands of subscribers. digital transformation: A story IG: The product catalogue works step. We took individual approach to the as a central configuration point for migration of the B2X segment. It was In the course of the Unified Billing project, all MegaFon’s offerings. It supports critical, because over the years, MegaFon we achieved remarkable results and the whole product lifecycle from the customers accumulated a variety of proved to be able to address both short- from Nexign and MegaFon inception and adjustment of price and parameters for product applications term and long-term business challenges. other parameters to the product’s that were created in accordance with I am sure that Nexign’s scalable expertise decommissioning. Mainly, the catalogue individual needs of customers in will benefit other telcos that are looking to provides MegaFon with the information different regions. For the government develop digital services. As telco service providers become digital service providers, operators in the MEA required for coordinated functioning of and enterprise sector, it was important service and self-service systems, billing, to follow SLA – otherwise, we could With a high pace of modernisation in region are looking for the ways to streamline digitalization and take their business order management, settlement payments have simply lost these customers. the MEA telecommunications market, to the next level. An example of such project is the Unified Billing, which has been and many more. The catalogue allows The COVID-19 outbreak affected the CSPs are looking for a partner to support business users to manage the offerings migration of healthcare organizations: it their digital transformation. Unified recently completed by Nexign, the leading business support systems (BSS) provider, with minimum involvement of IT staff and was postponed for the final stage of the and centralized product management, speed up the launch of new services. project and was led especially carefully. microservices and solutions that enable and MegaFon, the pan-Russian operator of digital opportunities. Nexign and MegaFon operators to offer highly personalized What were the main objectives of What results did MegaFon achieve data plans are in huge demand. No moved 8 operators’ subsidiaries to a single BSS platform and ensured seamless launching microservices fabric in thanks to the completion of the project? matter whether operators need a full- MegaFon? Did the company achieve SN: The modernisation of MegaFon’s stack BSS swap project or an upgrade migration of the 70 million subscriber base. Igor Gorkov, CEO of Nexign, and Sergey these objectives? BSS systems resulted in unification of its core components, Nexign is ready Nikiforets, Director of Digital Services at MegaFon, will speak in detail about the SN: When launching new products, of processes for all branch offices of to help them by offering future-proof especially those related to partner the company. We transitioned from solutions and enabling smooth systems project. integrations, we felt the need for a regional-based to a single shared modernisation. MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 26 MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 27

Technologies’ 5G mmWave technology outweigh the copper cables and provide faster standards of connectivity will Growth trends in leadership with Corning’s industry- significantly higher bandwidth. see demand in 25/100G optics to proven small-cell and enterprise connect cities and premises to develop expertise will deliver the capacity and Increased focus on security networks that meet the ever-growing performance benefits of 5G mmWave In an age where data protection is data, capacity and latency demands fiber optic cable use indoors, via development of cost seen as a critical focus area across of industrial Internet of Things and effective, powerful, and scalable 5G verticals, the use of fiber optic cables consumer applications. mmWave infrastructure.” Juan explains. offers several security benefits. Since 5G technology is powering the internet for the future fiber optics utilize glass to transfer the In line with the UN’s sustainable Fiber optic networks and their role in 5G data, there is zero interference from development goals (SDGs), and accelerating digital transformation through smart For 5G to achieve its potential, 3 main the electrical current which makes it organizations have taken the components are a must. Firstly, it is practically impossible to intercept any responsibility to strategize for networks and applications albeit with loads of data the allocation of the C-band spectrum data being transmitted. Additionally, connectivity improvements in wide or broadcast networking spectrum. external factors such as lightning will areas, with a focus on access, backhaul generation. The advancement of these networks Secondly, increase in low-orbiting not impact a fiber optic cable thereby and core and management, in an will drive and result in a slew of computing and satellites and thirdly, new cell towers minimising the risk of any data loss in attempt to connect the unconnected that facilitate enterprises to operate and or upgrades to previous cell tower extreme weather conditions. populations by transforming telecom technological innovation that will change the way we connect globally through innovation. sites. Since 5G is based on a small cell infrastructure. model that brings connectivity closer Applications in industries live and work. But before harnessing the real potential “A key innovation that Corning Optical to the end-user, the cell towers require For instance, the Healthcare Mobility Last year, French telecoms company Communications brought to the market a crucial fiber optic cable backbone to Solutions Market is expected to reach Orange launched a new fiber-optic of 5G connectivity, a robust network infrastructure must at the end of last year was Corning’s deliver a cohesive internet experience. US$ 272,054 million by 2027 from US$ network in West Africa that will deliver be established to support billions of devices and trillions Evolv™ Hardened Connectivity Solutions 57,162.65 million in 2019, according to superfast broadband and other high- with Pushlok™ Technology designed 5G wireless small cells and their fiber recent market research. It is estimated speed telecoms services across a of terabytes of data that will swamp the network. A to simplify fiber deployment for all wireline networks will have to coexist as to grow at a CAGR of 22.2% from 2020 region for over 300 million people. types of communications networks. about 11% of internet traffic is carried to 2027. Fiber optics have been used The Djoliba network couples a 10,000 powerful force that drives the networking infrastructure Corning engineers designed Evolv by wireless networks while the other in the medical industry for illumination, km cross-border terrestrial fiber optic HC Solutions to meet the growing 90% of internet traffic is supported and image transfer, and laser signal delivery. network with 10,000 km of undersea is fiber optic technology. connectivity requirements, especially carried by the fiber wireline network. However, with fiber optic technology cables to provide high-speed broadband around 5G deployments, which will The fiber optic cables connected to the advancement, several mobile medical transmission and seamless connection raditionally, fiber Investments in a deep fiber require more fiber in space-constrained cell tower sites will allow 5G networks application use cases have been to Orange’s international networks. optic uses were infrastructure are a must for the 5G environments, more aesthetically to deliver speeds of up to 20Gb/s and identified across a wide variety of Many organizations globally are already basically trunk cable future to spur growth in business pleasing solutions as connectivity lower latency. industries. Using these mobile apps following suit in similar projects across lines intended to opportunities as well as employment. elements get closer to the end users people can manage their health and regions. carry signals to and lighter than standard non-hardened The bandwidth provided by fiber optic wellness, promote healthy living, and larger populated One of the key players in the components which creates less strain networks offers a high-speed wireline gain access to useful information when In 2020, SuperData, a Nielsen research areas. However, over development of fiber network in poles when optical fiber is deployed network that allows improved speed, and where they company, reported that the games and time,T these cables have stretched their infrastructure sector is Corning Optical in aerial architectures. Pushlok security, and bandwidth over legacy need it. interactive media industry has grown reach to the home, the building, etc., Communications. Recently, Corning hardened connectors are half the size copper systems since copper can 12% year-to-year, becoming a $139.9 giving rise to the fiber to the x (FTTX) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the of existing offerings, connecting to only carry a gigabit signal about 300 Similarly, in the Aerospace sector, fiber billion global business. With this kind trend. Collaboration across the network company’s world-class invention of terminals that are up to four times feet. For its performance over long optics use is seen as a solution for of heavy data consumption trend, solution ecosystem is essential for low-loss optical fiber and has delivered smaller. The smaller size allows distances, fiber optic technology in increasing connectivity on commercial fiber optic networks will be crucial for continued success in meeting diversified over a billion fiber kilometers. Corning operators to lower their costs, speed long-haul networks has been used for flights. The use of fiber optics facilitates increasing user base and improving customer requirements with innovative continues to invest and develop in their deployments, and stay ahead of a while as fiber can travel as far as 40 improvements to in-flight entertainment monetization, in emerging markets for solutions. the next generation of technology for demands for high-speed connectivity,” miles without losing signal strength. and passenger Wi-Fi without interfering its future growth. communication networks through he further elaborates. Many businesses prefer the fiber to the with or compromising the complex Fiber optic cables have become the continued innovation in fiber. premises (FTTP) configuration to retain electrical data systems in place on Telecom operators, infrastructure strong pillars of our communication and To meet the evolving network signal strength. aircrafts. providers, and system integrators computer networks with installed fiber “As connectivity needs grow across the infrastructure needs of a wide range of need to collaborate on new technology optic cables carrying different types of region, operators are looking to install industries and verticals, Corning has Global internet bandwidth capacity What are the 5G fiber optic cables’ development and break out of the information through tunnels, building fiber quickly and cost-effectively, while forged collaborative partnership within As the internet continues to grow at an market opportunities? traditional means of creating and walls, ceilings, and the sea. still ensuring quality, reliable installation the industry to keep up with the pace of exponential rate, so will the demand for In a bid to upgrade the efficiency of deploying telecom networks. that causes minimal disruption in the growth. increased bandwidth as a huge amount Egypt’s information infrastructure Future trends of 5G will require fiber local area, says Juan Colina, Market of information is transported through and improve the internet speed, the As technology develops and an implementation Development Director, EMEA for “Corning had announced in 2020 the internet each day. A communication government recently passed a project increasing number of applications As 5G rollouts continue, regulators, Corning Optical Communications. that it was working with Qualcomm infrastructure that can handle swathes that links 1,300 villages with fiber-optic abound, without a doubt, the fiber policymakers, and business owners Technologies, Inc to develop 5G of data delivery on a global scale is cables at a cost of about EGP 5.6bn. optic cable market will witness growth. need to ensure investment in fiber With the rapid increase in demand for mmWave infrastructure systems for inevitable. Since fiber optic cables With 5G an ever-growing reality, a deployment continues to be a priority as reliable network connectivity, Corning enterprises and public venues. transmit information using light-based As 5G rollouts get underway and data strong foundation in fiber optics is the foundation for 5G wireless networks. has been providing communications The combination of Qualcomm technology the speed and frequency far centers multiply, the trend towards indispensable for its success. MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 28 MAY 2021 INTERVIEW 29

product development with the latest frameworks to reduce technical debt Tedmob CEO: and build scalable solutions that work for users and businesses.

We create intuitive, simple, and “We don’t just engaging experiences for all users, on any screen size – and from any device.

Do you think the VAS market has build your digital reached a certain maturity level in Lebanon? How do you manage to differentiate the company? So far, the expansion of the VAS market in Lebanon was noticeable. business, we The sector has achieved a remarkable growth in the past few years, ranging from basic telecommunication services to innovative value-added Mario Hachem, CEO, Tedmob accelerate it” services solutions (VAS). Our technological edge, commitment to R&D, and focus on revenue- Tedmob has been helping its clients solve business problems for the past 6 years. generating solutions, allow us to assist telecom operators in shaping With its innovative solutions, the agency has been accompanying businesses to their product innovation and help achieve digital transformation. In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, them to develop TTO products: Through The Operators! Mario Hachem, CEO, Tedmob highlighted the company’s role in accelerating digital Digital transformation has business. gained ground due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How can irst of all, can you enhance the way people see and Tedmob contribute to the digital explain Tedmob’s interact with their everyday technology. transformation of its customers? for the best customized digital scope of business To stay competitive in this new transformation solutions. and the services From traditional to digital and era, businesses and economic it provides to its everything in between, we cover the environments required new strategies How important is it for businesses to clients? following industries: e-commerce and and practices to be able to maintain embrace digital transformation and TEDMOB is a digital retail, telecom, e-government, banking sustainability during these hard times. innovate today? Ftransformation agency with 28 and fintech, media and entertainment, The only option for businesses developers based in Lebanon. We help even startups. And this is where our role started. nowadays to achieve sustainability clients solve business problems by We help clients solve TEDMOB supported the digital is to embrace digital transformation The only option for fusing creativity, innovation, strategy, When was Tedmob founded? How transformation of different businesses and the new industrial revolution: and craft. did its services evolve with the business problems in the pandemic and insured the shift towards having innovative businesses nowadays technological evolution to meet their consistency and operational technologies and online presence. We are a design and technology ensuing requirements? by fusing creativity, continuity throughout the lockdown. to achieve sustainability agency that builds world class Founded in June 2015, TEDMOB is a Most companies have started products and helps businesses and dynamic, diverse and passionate place innovation, strategy, We made sure to put our expertise in to digitize at least a part of their is to embrace digital brands succeed in the digital age. to be. growth marketing, tech development, businesses to serve their employees user experience and UI / UX on the and customers that face mobility transformation and the We’re a new kind of agency uniting We work hard to create a place where and craft table to maintain and enhance their restrictions due to COVID-19 business, experience and technology. people love to spend time, where revenues. pandemic. Our digital transformation services careers flourish and everyone enjoys new industrial revolution support businesses from consultancy the best possible conditions for We don’t just build your digital As a CEO of a tech company I have to design, delivery and beyond. creating great work that transforms business, we accelerate it! recently stated: “We are witnessing brands. what will surely be remembered as a A dedicated team of strategists, We deliver rich and high quality historic deployment of remote work creatives and technologists work No matter the solution, our developers services by combining business and digital access to services across in collaboration to transform and and engineers combine agile requirements and core coding every domain.” MAY 2021 OPERATORS’ NEWS 30 MAY 2021 OPERATORS’ NEWS 31

Etisalat honors top sales channel partners Etisalat posts consolidated net profit of Dh 2.3bn for Q1 2021, up The event was held virtually this partners and frontline staff. As we 7.9% y-on-y year in line with Covid-19 protocols go from strength to strength, we look and safety standards. A total of forward to working closely together, Etisalat Group has announced its to the resilience and agility shown inspiring Etisalat to deliver world-class 45 partners were awarded from receiving feedback to maximise sales consolidated financial statements for across our business operations. The networks and innovative services. different segments mainly retailers, opportunities and hurdling challenges the three months ending 31st March company generated record results franchisees and distributors. effectively so we can make 2021 yet 2021. in the new hybrid scenario helping “We will continue to focus on another successful year.” consumers adapt to a new work- capitalising opportunities and Omer Rashid, Senior Vice President, The Group reported consolidated and-learn-from-anywhere reality enhancing the overall customer Sales Consumer, Etisalat, said, Etisalat’s partners expressed their revenues of AED 13.2 billion while while continuing to deliver innovative experience while delivering long-term “Despite the unprecedented impact of appreciation for the awards and consolidated net profit after Federal services subscribers require and value for all our shareholders,” he the COVID-19 pandemic, Etisalat had declared their continuous support Royalty amounted to AED 2.3 billion, demand. added. a very successful 2020. Our consumer for the event, which serves as a representing a year over year increase sales partners played a very cornerstone of their success. These of 7.9% and resulting in a net profit “Our teams rallied to support our During the first quarter, the Group important role in these achievements. entities take pride in partnering with margin of 18%. The group had posted customers with technology playing initiated a slew of services such as The ‘Partner Awards Event 2021’ Etisalat, one of the world’s leading a net profit of Dh2.2 billion for the first a central role in keeping our society, collaborating with Smart Dubai to reaffirms our commitment to building telecom groups in emerging markets, quarter in 2020 (Q1). economy, and lives connected. provide cyber security services to strong relationships with our partners the fastest mobile network globally by Digital evolution is the future where Dubai government entities, partnering Etisalat honoured its top performing in keeping with our slogan ‘Together Ookla, and the strongest brand across Q1 consolidated EBITDA totaled AED telecom operators are the key with Cisco to simplify Emirates partners of 2020 at the virtual ‘Partner Matters’.” all categories in Middle East and 6.8 billion, representing an increase of players to enable the transition and Internet Exchange (EMIX) operations Awards Event 2021’. Africa (MEA) region. 0.7% year over year and resulting in be the exemplary adopters of digital by building the region’s first open and Mohamed Al Zarouni, Senior Vice EBITDA margin of 51%. transformation. Stemming from this autonomous and secured network Each year, Etisalat holds an awards President, Distribution and Customer Held since 2016, this annual conviction, Etisalat will continue its as well as Digital Financial Services ceremony to recognise and reward the Registration, Etisalat, for his part, event seeks to recognise the top Subscriber base reached 12.4 million efforts to align its business with the partnering with Al-Futtaim to enable company’s partners for their continued said, “We at Etisalat use this event performing partners to drive passion, in Q1 of 2021 in the UAE, while the digital mandate it has undertaken, by secure and contactless payment support and efforts in taking Etisalat to as a platform to recognise as motivate and create a competitive aggregate subscriber base reached shifting the operating model, investing options for eWallet customers, among greater heights. well as engage and motivate our environment. 156 million, representing a year over in future technologies, generating new many others. year increase of 4%. revenue streams, and by acquiring and disseminating digital capabilities In February, the Group’s twelve month Zain Group Q1 financial results reflect resilience despite Commenting on the results, Eng. across its markets. consolidated revenues had reached Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Etisalat Group AED 51.7 billion, while consolidated global disruption said, “Etisalat Group’s first-quarter He expressed his gratitude to the wise net profit after Federal Royalty for the results are a continuation of the leadership of UAE and their vision twelve month amounted to AED 9.0 45 million (USD 147 million), down 5% It should be noted that the impact of the strong performance the company to position the country among the billion ($2.45 billion), an increase of Y-o-Y reflecting an Earnings Per Share pandemic on the business was minimal has achieved over the past year due most digitally advanced globally and 3.8% compared to 2019. of 10 Fils (USD 0.03). Significantly, Zain during Q1 2020, given its early stage of Group net income grew operationally by spread at the time, however in Q1 2021 4% Y-o-Y for Q1, 2021, when excluding the impact was more profound. Zain to utilize ‘Kuwait Mobile ID’ app for digital identity the one-time gain from the sale and lease back of towers in Kuwait during Zain Group consolidated data revenue verification Q1 2020. reached USD 530 million, representing 42% of the Group’s overall revenue. Development Plan (New Kuwait Vision considered a legal identity that is issued Zain Group, a leading mobile innovator For Q1 2021, foreign currency 2035). and accredited by PACI. with operations in seven markets translation was impacted mainly due Throughout the quarter, Zain Group across the Middle East and Africa, to the currency devaluation in Sudan invested USD 415 million in CAPEX In detail, Zain has already completed all The implementation of Kuwait Mobile announced its consolidated financial from 55 to 375 (SDG / USD) during (tangible and intangible) reflecting the technical requirements needed to ID is another step towards achieving results for the first quarter (Q1) ended end of February, and a 19% currency 33% of total revenue, predominantly integrate its back-end systems along full digitization at Zain’s, reflecting the March 31, 2021. Zain served 48.5 devaluation in Iraq from an 1,190 to in expansion of Fiber-to-the-Home Zain, in collaboration with the Public with those of PACI. Thus, Kuwait Mobile company’s keenness on offering the million customers at the end of the 1,470 (IQD / USD), cost the Group USD (FTTH) infrastructure; spectrum fees; Authority for Civil Information (PACI), ID users can now present the app via latest and best digital services to its period. 177 million in Revenue and USD 66 4G upgrades and new network sites is the first telecom operator in Kuwait their smartphones when completing any customers in the Kuwaiti market. The million in EBITDA. across its markets, as well as ongoing to implement the use of the Kuwait official transactions that require identity Public Authority for Civil Information Zain Group generated consolidated 5G rollouts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Mobile ID app for digital and secure verification at Zain branches. offers the Kuwait Mobile ID app to present revenue of KD 382 million (USD 1.3 Zain Group’s resilient results for Bahrain. verification of identities. Zain’s ongoing users with a secure, mobile-based, and billion) for the first quarter of 2021, Q1 2021 were achieved despite the efforts to continue its active partnership Through the Kuwait Mobile ID app, the certified digital ID that is capable of down 6% year-on-year (Y-o-Y). EBITDA widespread disruption in economic and Kuwait witnessed impressive growth with the public sector come in line customer’s certified digital civil ID will be identity verification, authentication to for the quarter reached KD 158 million social activity caused by COVID-19, in 5G consumer and B2B customers, with the company’s comprehensive accepted for verification, authorization, online e-services, and applying a trusted (USD 523 million), down 7% Y-o-Y, further compounded by the recent and with Zain Saudi Arabia expanding its 5G digital transformation journey. This e-signatures, and other digital services. digital signature to documents and reflecting an EBITDA margin of 41%. significant currency devaluations in Iraq network to over 50 cities covering all announcement also comes under This digital approach can replace the transactions within government entities Net income for the quarter reached KD and Sudan. regions in the Kingdom. the umbrella of the Kuwait National use of the physical civil ID card, as it is and private sector companies. MAY 2021 OPERATORS’ NEWS 32 MAY 2021 OPERATORS’ NEWS 33

Etisalat, Nokia offer ultra-fast 5G in the UAE Omantel introduces first 5G international roaming in Oman

Saeed Al Zarouni, SVP, Mobile Network, providing cutting edge ICT solutions position as a key player in Oman’s Etisalat, added, “Etisalat’s technical and telecom infrastructure and service telecom sector as a result of foresight teams have closely worked with Nokia capabilities. and investments in state-of-the-art to build the 5G network smoothly and infrastructure. The launch is the latest enabled 5G coverage with ultra-high Omantel expects to continually meet in a series of achievements by Omantel speed and low latency services in the their subscribers’ current and future in adapting future technologies and UAE. The high capacity 5G network 5G needs by making the technology an further solidifying Oman’s image as also allows us to provide services to a Omantel has become the only mobile integral part of its offerings. the region’s ICT gateway. Besides large number of customers. Rolling out network operator in Oman to offer 5G, Omantel is already offering an 5G network is in line with our focus on 5G international roaming with the Commenting on the development, impressively wide international roaming digital innovation and investments in introduction of its services, offering Awatif Al Mandhari, manager of roaming coverage, reaching to more than 700 Etisalat, one of the leading and transform business models. next generation telecom technologies.” customers a convenient and seamless services at the wholesale business roaming partners in more than 200 telecommunications operators in 5G capabilities enable innovative experience to enjoy high speed data unit of Omantel said, “When we talk countries. emerging markets recognized by applications in areas such as virtual Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile services while abroad. about 5G, Omantel is on the fast track. Ookla® Speedtest® as the world’s reality (VR) and augmented reality Networks at Nokia, said, “With this The company has proved its agility Omantel’s mobile network has fastest mobile network in 2020, (AR). It also addresses Industry 4.0 deployment, Nokia is supporting As part of the initial phase in its push in bringing the best global telecom been recently rated as the fastest together with Nokia, as a key partner, opportunities to benefit enterprises Etisalat achieve its vision of driving the towards secure, consistent, and fast solutions to the people of Oman. in Oman by Ookla, a neutral online has deployed 5G network, providing from various Internet of Things (IoT) digital future. Along with consumers’ global 5G connectivity, Omantel has After being the first mobile network platform dedicated to measuring the enhanced mobile broadband services use cases in areas such as energy, expectation to get the latest telecom made this international roaming facility provider to launch 5G for mobile performance of broadband networks and expanding 5G coverage and healthcare, education, transport and services experience, the current period available in the GCC through regional devices, Omantel is now taking its reach around the world. revenue opportunities. Nokia’s 5G entertainment, providing new revenue has also shone a spotlight on just how and global partners to announce more beyond the borders. The service will be portfolio supports Etisalat’s mission of opportunities. important networks are for people and 5G international roaming destinations in beneficial for individuals and business Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and driving the digital future to empower businesses. With this next generation the coming few weeks. travellers who need fast access to leading integrated telecommunications societies. Haitham Abdulrazzak, chief technology 5G network deployment, we are information and data on the go.” services provider, enabling the digital officer, Etisalat said, “As a true pioneer, excited to continue our longstanding The move highlights Omantel’s society to flourish, allowing new ways Etisalat has a proven history of we have always embraced the latest collaboration with Etisalat to deliver the customer –first strategy and leadership The 5G international roaming service of doing business and delivering a world bringing the latest in technology and technologies to drive the Digital Future full transformational benefits of 5G.” of the telecom sector in the Sultanate, introduction enforces Omantel’s of information, news and entertainment. broadband services to the United Arab to empower society. Accordingly, Emirates to support economic growth we are building an autonomous 5G Nokia has deployed its AirScale radio and innovation. Similarly, Etisalat is network and are very excited about platform, based on 3GPP 5G New Ooredoo Group’s Q1 2021 financial results show resilience, building an autonomous 5G network how 5G can transform industrial and Radio (NR) standards. The network using Etisalat A3 platform, where Nokia consumer services. The 5G services uses massive Multiple Input Multiple solidity has worked with Etisalat to deliver we have rolled out truly enhances Output (mMIMO) radio technology best-in-class customer experience, lifestyles and delivers significant gains to improve network capacity, provide Moreover, the earnings before interest, billion while EBITDA stood at QAR 962 as 5G’s ultra-high bandwidth and in productivity in the UAE, contributing broader coverage and increase network taxes, depreciation, and amortization million. Accordingly, the EBITDA margin low-latency enrich service offerings to the national innovation strategy.” speeds. (EBITDA) increased by 9% (excluding FX remained stable at 54% and total impact) to QAR 3.2 billion in Q1 2021 customer numbers were 3 million. as the company maintains its focus Vodafone Qatar achieves highest quarterly net profit on digitalization and cost optimization. Ooredoo Oman’s performance was In comparison, the EBITDA margin affected by economic conditions, Vodafone Qatar announced its Earnings before interest, taxes, increased to 45% in Q1 2021 from increasing competition in the prepaid financial results in Q1 2021 which depreciation, and amortization 41% in Q1 2020, supported by EBITDA segment, and the COVID-19 impact. Its unveiled the company’s highest (EBITDA) for the period also increased margin expansion in Indonesia, Kuwait, revenue sits at QAR 610 million in Q1 quarterly net profit of QR 66 million, by 17% year-on-year achieving Ooredoo announced its financial results Iraq, and Myanmar. 2021, with an EBITDA of 12% to QAR after recording a 38% year-on-year QR 234 million. This is led by the for the first quarter of 2021, showing 314 million. Nevertheless, the company growth. company’s higher service revenue solidity and resilience despite the On the other hand, Ooredoo’s net Profit remains committed to managing its and the continued effectiveness in pandemic. Excluding foreign exchange attributable to Ooredoo shareholders overall cost structure. Its customer Maintaining its growth trajectory implementing the cost optimization (FX) impact, the revenue increased by increased by 120% (excluding the base increased by 2% of 2.9 million in within the first quarter, Vodafone program. Consequently, the EBITDA 1%, EBITDA increased by 9%, and the FX impact) to QAR 193 million in Q1 Q1 2021 as the company prepares to Qatar’s total revenue significantly margin rose by 3 percentage points net profit increased by 120%. 2021. Overall, data revenues account launch 5G mobile services in Q2 2021. increased by 8.3%, reaching QR 585 to 40%. for more than 55% of total revenue million. This is driven by continued As a result of the company’s quarterly driven by data leadership and digital For Ooredoo Kuwait’s performance, the growth in the company’s postpaid Vodafone Qatar provides a analysis, the consolidated revenue transformation initiatives across the company’s revenue is QAR 607 million revenue and fixed broadband services comprehensive range of services reaches QAR 7.2 billion in Q1 2021. Group’s operations. in Q1 2021, recording a 2% increase in in addition to higher handset sales. including voice, messaging, data, Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, EBITDA to QAR 169 million. Compared fixed communications, IoT, and ICT excluding FX impact, the revenue Ooredoo Qatar saw positive growth to the same period in the previous year, Moreover, its service revenue grew managed services to more than 1.7 increased by 1% and is mainly driven by during the period, with reported revenue the EBITDA margin surged to 28% in Q1 by 5.1% to reach QR 534 million. million customers. growth in Qatar and Indonesia. growing 0.6% year-on-year to QAR 1.8 2021 from 25%. MAY 2021 OPINIONS 34 MAY 2021 OPINIONS 35 How telcos will succeed with 5G campus networks If telcos develop and market campus networks as products, they will fail. If they sell them as solutions, they will succeed. Does this sound a bit simple? Probably. And yet the success of marketing campus Value-added chain with four phases their attention with an enticing value networks depends on telcos approaching from the right for setting up and operating campus proposition: a network under their own The challenges for the provider are angle when addressing their clientele. networks control that can be set up rapidly, is manifold: Since private networks lack some not too complex, does not require huge • Clearly point out the technological of the assets a telco can typically investments up front, and provides advantages of 5G G campus networks core business is the deployment and But telcos must not fall into the trap of expect to have in traditional business, valuable insights on propelling their • Offer a competitive price. Even if are the subject of operation of mobile networks would regarding private cellular networks as a exploiting the existing value-added production into an Industry 4.0 world. cost savings in the long run are a conversation everywhere, have few problems in setting up smaller version of the mobile network chain is more of a challenge. The good argument, the upfront price especially now that networks for specific customers on they are used to building and operating. customer may have acquired the Detecon, in collaboration with must nevertheless be appealing spectrum has become the latter’s own premises. But a closer spectrum and own the equipment, and Deutsche Telekom, has analyzed the • Achieve a short deployment lead available for industrial look reveals that the challenges lie there are no SIM card subscriptions customer landscape and by drawing time use in several countries. hidden in the details: for the use of the public network. This on interview results, has identified • Offer competitive cost of operation 5The technology offers real potential • On-premises core networks must leaves services as the source of the six segments that can be portrayed • Convincingly demonstrate how a for new use cases and cost savings be scaled down significantly revenue stream. The process of setting as “personae”: The Inquisitives, the telco’s USP is an advantage over for established ones. The clientele • Who owns the hardware — the up and running campus networks can Testers, the Corporate Network what other providers can offer that wants to mine this potential, provider or the customer? be broken down into various phases, Strategists, the Business Strategists, • Have a competitive edge to set itself however, must be approached from • What SLA aspects are most and value is created in each of them: the Project Planners, and the apart from other telcos – be it edge the right angle. If telcos understand important: MTTR, MTBF, mean • Consulting + Pre-Sales Professionals. cloud partnerships, collaboration the motivation of their potential new availability? • Deployment Planning with application providers (in the customers while simultaneously finding • How can many small RAN and core When telcos play to • Deployment These “personae” should not be seen AR/VR field, for instance), or a a way to reap the benefits from the networks be operated efficiently? • Operations simply as “segments”; rather, they convincing promise of the best value-added chain themselves, the 5G How can the need for field service their strengths, they represent a dynamic mapping that service from the local presence of campus business will become a strong be minimized? Market approach: Value proposition may change over time as markets field technicians at any site pillar with long-term commitment • How should SIM cards be have a competitive and personae mature. The same customer can that complements the ongoing managed? Private cellular networks have been evolve from one persona into another. A good strategy, although it is a transformation towards services and • How should the campus network advantage that puts a niche business for quite a while, Private cellular networks with no challenging one, is to develop a private communications. be integrated into the customer’s e.g., providing mines, harbors, oil rigs, connection to the public mobile modular structure of the offer — start current IT environment? them in a position for etc., with wireless communications network of a network provider are with a small, simple offering that can 5G opens the door to new • How should services be provided on infrastructure. Such networks have most interesting for the “Business be scaled up according to demand. opportunities on the global the site, and how should the service been set up and operated by specialist Strategists” and the “Corporate connectivity market partner be managed? success companies (among them, Edzcom, Network Strategists”; the former Operational approach to campus 5G offers many new opportunities Syniverse, Infrastructure Networks). because they are looking to support network operations: How much for revenues, and campus networks Campus networks are a customer- With the advent of 5G and the need for a road map of future use cases, the “rollout” is possible? are among them. But it cannot be specific business telco operators to find new revenue latter because they have a concrete There are apparently two schools taken for granted that the established Some of these aspects are covered by streams to pay for their investments, use case in mind. Alternatives for of thought when it comes to the telecommunications providers will suppliers offering dedicated, packaged this business has found its place on this type of customer would be Wi-Fi operation of campus networks. succeed as a matter of course. solutions for campus networks the agenda of telcos as well. The most networks. In Germany, for example, comprising scaled-down and less promising approach to acquiring 5G SMEs represent the biggest group of 1. The assumption is that the wireless The natural inclination might easily complex core network equipment and campus business with typical industry potential future users of 5G campus site on a customer’s premises is be to assume that a company whose the appropriate RAN solutions. customers is to begin by attracting networks from a telco point of view. simply another site in the operator’s MAY 2021 OPINIONS 36

network and requires the use of choosing the wireless equipment offer. Industry customers want private exactly the same kind of equipment as it does not have to match the networks because of their sense of found in the rest of the wireless equipment in the public network. being in control. Another valuable asset network. The connectivity to the of telcos is their undisputed experience OMC is set up as with any other The second approach is more feasible in planning, deploying, and operating site. The processes are the same for the current, immature market networks. However, they must also ones used for any wireless network phase in particular, characterized as do some homework. The market is rollout. A core network on the it is by many customers who want to young, evolving, and dynamic; telcos customer’s premises, however, must test and explore the technology and should quickly determine their most be handled differently. The addition are not absolutely sure if and how promising customer segment and of 50 to 100 very small core sites they will use it. The term “rollout” focus marketing resources on this cannot be monitored and maintained will probably never be completely group. Internally, this business should in the same way as the existing appropriate for this kind of business be anchored at the appropriate points core sites. Specifically, on-premises as it will always be more solution than in the organization, from sales and maintenance is not possible with the product. product development to planning and same staff. operations. Most importantly, campus 2. Every campus network is regarded Our conclusion: Campus networks networks must be regarded as a as a unique, isolated network. This are a solution business, not a mass solution business, not a mass view corresponds to the treatment product product. of LAN/Wi-Fi enterprise networks. When telcos play to their strengths, Operation and maintenance can they have a competitive advantage By Heiko Perkuhn, Managing nevertheless be centralized, but that puts them in a position for Consultant at Detecon International require a set of processes and tools success. They own spectrum that can GmbH, with contributions by Managing that differs from those for the public be added to any spectrum dedicated Consultants Dr. Britta Cornelius and Dr. network. There is more freedom in to the industry, a clear benefit they can Daniela Drube MAY 2021 WHOLESALE AND CAPACITY NEWS 38 MAY 2021 WHOLESALE AND CAPACITY NEWS 39

Moro Hub, Huawei to build the largest solar-powered data center PCCW Global launches globally-connected eSIM service in MEA From vehicles with the ability to transmit information back to a Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Mr. Moreover, the center will offer digital fleet owner or a manufacturer, Charles Yang, President of Huawei products and services using the wearable wrist alert bands capable of Middle East as witnesses. cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), communicating vital health information and artificial intelligence (AI) — all of for those with medical conditions, to “The sustainable data center supports which are vital technologies in the vending machines able to order their Dubai’s 10X initiative launched by Fourth Industrial Revolution. Aiming own replacement stock, IoT is poised to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin to be the largest green data center in connect just about everything. Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President the MEA region, it will enable global Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital and Prime Minister of the UAE and hyper-scalers to access carbon-free Due to its small size and other DEWA, has signed an agreement Ruler of Dubai, to make the Emirate computing. significant technological benefits, eSIM with Huawei to build the largest a city of the future, putting it 10 is a critically important development solar-powered data center in the years ahead of other global cities. “We are pleased to associate with for the widespread deployment of Middle East and Africa (MEA) at the This meets our ambition to deliver Moro Hub as the key technology IoT devices. The PCCW Global eSIM Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum sustainable digital transformation and provider for the largest green data is available in various form factors Solar Park. anticipate and shape the future. This center in the region. This is an and can be installed in any compliant supports the UAE Centennial 2071 important association, and it allows device. The new Uptime TIER III-certified, to make the UAE the world’s leading us to strengthen our partnership with PCCW Global, a leading Tier 1 international and partner sustainable, and carbon-neutral green nation and the 17 United Nations Moro Hub and take part in fortifying telecommunications service provider, network covering 180 countries and eSIM technology is expected to have data center will use 100 percent Sustainable Development Goals 2030. the UAE’s sustainable development has launched a globally-connected territories. In addition, PCCW Global a wide-ranging impact on a diverse renewable energy and has a capacity The carbon-neutral center supports goals. There’s been significant growth Embedded-SIM (eSIM) service that is makes use of a proven and reliable number of industries. From logistics, exceeding 100 megawatts (MW). Dubai’s efforts to exceed the goals of in the renewable sector, and we are immediately ready for Internet of Things technology platform with full integration through to smart homes and smart Dubai’s Carbon Abatement Strategy optimistic that this agreement will (IoT) deployment globally, providing through a single connectivity and cities – everything can be connected Marwan Bin Haidar, vice chairman in reducing carbon emissions by 16% reinforce our endeavors to implement ground-breaking device connectivity SIM management portal, automated with small eSIM technology that and GCEO of Digital DEWA and Mr. by 2021. Dubai has surpassed this and strengthen the adoption of that is expected to revolutionise the on-demand connections to cloud requires reduced power for longer Jerry Liu, CEO of Huawei UAE signed target, reducing emissions by 22% in carbon-neutral digital technologies,” automobile, logistics, and connected capabilities with Console Connect IoT uptime between charging. the deal, with HE Saeed Mohammed 2019,” said Al Tayer. said Yang. equipment manufacturing industries. integration and full support across PCCW Global’s IoT service ecosystem. Craig Price, senior vice president, Making use of technology from Thales, mobility products and marketing, PCCW Tata Communications, BIX bring superior submarine cable PCCW Global’s eSIM is a secure, Universally acknowledged as the next Global, said, “We are excited about the GSMA compliant device that has great leap forward in communication possibilities that our new eSIM features system to Bahrain been designed to remotely manage technologies, IoT is transforming and connectivity will provide for many multiple mobile network operator everyday items into connected devices. industries. Now we have the technology, districts within the Middle East, Tata create a software-defined network (SDN), subscriptions. The support for multiple It provides unprecedented connectivity the automated platform, and the global Communications is leveraging its strong while still being compatible with legacy profiles enables the use of a single and the exchange of ‘always-on’ connectivity to truly make IoT a reality, partnership with leading carriers across systems. It also helps enterprises adopt SIM with multiple providers’ profiles. information 24×7, unleashing seemingly enabling business to leverage all of the the region such as Oman, UAE, Qatar, edge computing and make use of cloud Connectivity for the new eSIM service limitless opportunities for consumer advantages connected devices bring to Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, to offer a true express connect, to link to different cloud is provided across PCCW Global’s and commercial applications. a globally connected world.” carrier-neutral comprehensive cable nodes in and out of Bahrain. Furthermore, system. it will also enhance the performance Tata Communications and Bahrain and stability of the enterprises’ data, Corning reports strong first quarter results Internet Exchange (BIX) extend their This will provide Middle East businesses, voice, and video applications at shorter partnership to offer high-speed internet especially the OTTs, gaming companies, round-trip delays (RTD). With reliable respectively. GAAP EPS was $0.67, and net income 78% connectivity with very low latency for government agencies, and hyperscalers connectivity and bandwidth, enterprises reflecting strong performance and • Optical Communications grew superior quality and seamless viewing, who are expanding their reach in the will accelerate their digital transformation a non-cash, mark-to-market gain sales 18% and net income 283% gaming, and download experience for region, access to the globe. The cable journeys making for the country’s associated with the company’s • Life Sciences grew sales 16% and customers in Bahrain. This collaboration system seamlessly integrates the ecosystem to evolve towards a digital currency-hedging contracts. Core net income 26% brings the power of high-speed Middle East countries and offers direct economy. EPS grew 125% year over year to • Display Technologies grew sales connectivity and digital transformation to forward connectivity to Europe, India, and $0.45 15% and net income 40% the Middle East region through the TGN- onwards to the globe. Specifically in India, Tata Communications owns and Corning Incorporated announced Gulf cable system, enabling customers it integrates into the deeply penetrated operates the world’s only wholly-owned results for the first quarter ended All segments grew sales and net Free cash flow of $372 million to have a robust, consistent, and Optical Transport Network that covers subsea network that encircles the globe. March 31, 2021. income by double-digit percentages grew $691 million year over year manageable data transport infrastructure 2000+ towns and 25+ business districts. This network enables businesses to year over year: and equates to 39% of 2020 total. capable of scaling up beyond 100 Gbps. reach more than 200 countries and Corning reported a strong first Profitability was impacted by For enterprises, the superior OTU-4 territories. Today, around 30% of the quarter with GAAP and core sales • Environmental Technologies grew approximately $50 million due to Furthermore, to extend the TGN-Gulf technology on the TGN cable system world’s Internet routes travel over the amounting to $3.3 billion, year-over- sales 38% and net income 111% elevated freight and logistic costs cable system deep into business provides flexibility to future-proof and Tata Communications network. year increases of 38% and 29%, • Specialty Materials grew sales 28% and global supply chain disruptions. MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 40 MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 41

key to connected devices and data Shortage in chip production and know-how to build and scale processing. highlights demand for ICT devices sustainable business models. The higher profit margins from the Owing to the shortage, the Chinese production of smartphone and tablet Given the current scenario of government has adopted the policy chips are much more alluring to chip- economic recoveries after the to boost the domestic semiconductor makers than from older technology pandemic, organizations and sector as demand for chips grows. This used in cars. As a result, Taiwan’s businesses will require a mix trend has become a global one, with tech firms saw revenue growth from of remote and hybrid employee major US companies including Google, demand for chips for laptops, tablets, arrangements in smarter offices, Amazon, and Facebook investing in smartphones, and other products to warehouses, and factories with their chip-making efforts. Chinese support the work and study at home continued demand for flexible digital internet giants, automakers, and even around the world during the COVID-19 infrastructure — networks and home appliance firms are investing pandemic. applications that can serve workers heavily in semiconductor research and regardless of where they may be development. TSMC has announced plans to located. More than 80% of company spend $28 billion on increasing leaders plan to have employees In the US, the semiconductor industry chip production capacity in 2021. continue working remotely, with is requesting president Joe Biden’s Last year, the Chinese government almost half planning to have some administration and Congress to fund invested $22 billion into domestic chip employees work remotely full time. semiconductor incentives included production and it is likely to double in last year’s National Defense the budget in 2021. Likewise, the US Enabling organizations to implement Authorization Act. government seems to have realized a unified network infrastructure the importance of the semiconductor that supports both end-user and Chip shortages have cost the global industry to national security and operational needs are areas that auto industry 130,000 vehicles in lost a thriving economy as almost all warrant the consideration of ICT production, research firm AutoForecast IC chips used in the US are made players in all categories. Solutions estimates, with the heaviest abroad. impact in North America, with 74,000 units lost, and Western Europe, with The shortage in chip production can 35,000 lost. be attributed to the unprecedented It’s all about the chips: demand in tech devices and services The scarcity of chips initially hit the for organization and individuals auto industry, however, it has now come alike. In such a scenario, the role of to affect all types of chips ranging ICT sector in providing integrated from hardware products, including network and connectivity solutions Opportunities in times of crisis smartphones. This has led the Chinese is only going to grow. Additionally, smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp the adoption of 5G technology and president Wang Xiang to say that the migration to the cloud will accelerate The scarcity of chips The unexpected shortage in semiconductor microchips has witnessed increasing global chip shortage was adding to the use cases for hyper-connected the company’s production costs and rooms and other multi-dwelling initially hit the auto cases of stunted or late car production and deliveries, a shortfall in home appliances, the higher prices of its products might units (MDU) owners and operators affect the consumers. Qualcomm Inc, to deliver multiple 4K video streams, industry, however, and costlier smartphones across the globe. a key supplier to Xiaomi, is struggling IPTV, virtual reality, VoIP, and ultra- to meet orders for major smartphone fast downloads. brands. it has now come to ompetition of other sanctions against Chinese technology aspect of the chips. According to the A recent report by Gartner forecasts use cases of the companies added to the semiconductor Semiconductor Industry Association What is hindering chip production? that the highest growth in IT spending affect all types of chips chips against the shortage woes. Additionally, Taiwan, (SIA), chip sales in January 2021 hit Typical semiconductor factories have will come from the device segment demands of the the world’s biggest supplier of $40 billion, which is up 13.2 percent limited capacity and building new (14 percent) followed by the enterprise ranging from hardware expansive consumer computer chips, mostly made by the on the same month last year. factories takes massive investment and software (10.8%) as organisations electronics industry Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing often several years. They have to be transition into a digitalized work products, including has been quite rough Company (TSMC) had to endure the The recent ongoings in the built in factories with ultra-controlled environment. Cin recent months. brunt of major drought conditions. semiconductor market have triggered environments, called ‘fabs.’ Dust Since the production of chips requires a re-think on the reliance on particles, temperature fluctuations and By taking a hint from the current smartphones Several causes resulted in the chip heavy use of water, the reservoirs dried foreign-built chips since they have even static electricity can damage the state of the semiconductor demand scarcity – the demands from the up and thereby disrupted the production become a key component in cars, complex workings of semiconductors. and supply, ICT stakeholders would consumer electronics industry during process. smartphones, home appliances, and According to analysts, currently, fabs do well to facilitate knowledge the pandemic as people worked other electronic equipment for use in are running at full capacity and will take discussion, brainstorm innovative from home and engaged in gaming Consequently, the surge in demand has sensors to control units. Processors months or years before new ones come ideas through proofs-of-concept and and streaming activities and the US thrown major challenges to the supply and semiconductor technologies are online to fill the extra demand. pilot projects and prepare the tools MAY 2021 COVERAGE 42 MAY 2021 COVERAGE 43

he esteemed question put to the panelists was ‘what to be very complex with virtualization, panelists included: are the major drivers for automation?’ network slicing, etc., and automation • Mr. Roque Lozano, should play an important role in SVP IP & optical Taking on the question, Khaled Al reducing this complexity. networks, MEA, Belooshi felt that automation has Nokia become critical for operators. He Joining the conversation, Neil • Mr. Aloke Tusnial, said that it’s not optional anymore Templeton said that the automation Tvice president, cloud business & and instead has become more of a journey at the service layer and solutions, Spirent transformation process. “Automation application layer is only made possible • Mr. Khaled Al Belooshi, VP fixed along with network virtualization can by automation at the network layer. networks, Etisalat bring clear value to the operators. It “The whole shift to the multi-cloud • Mr. Neil Templeton, vice president, touches all stakeholders, whether it’s environment for business-critical digital innovation marketing, PCCW from HR, technology, and commercial, applications, outside of traditional Global and needs to be handled with a clear network parameter, needs flexible • Dr. Ibrahim Gedeon, CTO, TELUS strategy and standards for APIs and and agile network infrastructure.” He domains as a complete strategy,” he explained that for PCCW Global, the The panel discussion was moderated explained. main driver for automation is the by Mr. Kevin Vachon, chief operating removal of complexity, taking out the officer, MEF. “When it comes to the drivers, I friction and the cost. “You’ve got to think there are two main drivers for automate as a necessity,” he added. Following a brief welcome and thank automation -- it’s the digital experience you note by Mr. Toni Eid, founder, and that we want to bring to operators and Adding flavor to the discussion with CEO of Telecom Review, Kevin Vachon the operational efficiency. Agility, a the security element to automation, Network automation and started the session by referring to a faster time, and rapid deployment are Aloke Tusnial contributed by agreeing conversation that he had had with the things that we are looking for,” he that automation was important from Roque Lozano earlier, where the latter said. the self-healing perspective and had mentioned ‘automation as the removing complexity. But he said that SD-WAN discussed at forest and SD-WAN as one of the trees’ He also stressed the need to look the networks are getting complex by to illustrate the concept of the topic. at the new requirements for future the day and by building configurations networks such as mass customization to remove complexity, the question of After a brief introduction by the of real-time and on-demand services ensuring how the configurations work Telecom Review virtual panel panelists, the discussion moved from customers. “When it comes to is critical. towards first understanding the operational efficiency, self-healing, nuances of automation and gradually self-optimization are areas we want “If something goes wrong, how do moving towards SD-WAN. to focus on with automation. Together you troubleshoot?” he inquired. He Telecom Review organized a virtual panel on April 27, 2021, where a panel of with AI, we can actively address issues also pointed out that networks are industry experts discussed the topic of Network automation & SD-WAN in the era of Considering that automation is a broad in the network before it causes outage getting distributed and the multi- topic and a rather long haul when it problems,” he added. He also pointed cloud environment is transitioning to virtualization. comes to its implementation, the first out that the future network was going multi-edge. “Earlier networks were MAY 2021 COVERAGE 44

centralized but now we are moving control. With SD-WAN and automation, for everybody. Reasons such as lack of toward decentralization of network the desire of end-users to be self- IT resources, ambitious business case, and security, which has become a big provisioning emerge. and awaiting for OSS/BSS upgrade challenge,” he said. Touching on SD- deprive the adoption. WAN, he said the technology can add Neil Templeton, vice president of security at the edge as enterprises and digital innovation marketing at Sharing how TELUS started its SD- customers are used to a certain level of PCCW Global, said, “It’s becoming an WAN journey in 2016, Dr. Ibrahim security, and providing that same level environment for automating not just at Gedeon, CTO, TELUS, said, “The of security should be the focus. the network layer, but the application motivation for us is to mix and match layer, and we’re also working on the network connections; this is the Dr. Ibrahim Gedeon reiterated that settlement layer as well, which is a business case. Being able to go cable, with the advancement of new vast ecosystem of service providers.” DSL, or fiber and kind of redefining how technologies such as SD-WAN and Neil cited how they transformed from a business connectivity is doing. And other modernizations, customers network provider into an open platform then we added all the new software expect frictionless automation. “People business through ConsoleConnect. stacks in the BSS and OSS to get that want to manage their own devices. automation.” Without automation, we won’t be able Customers basically want to find, get to compete with the expectations,” he and pay for the services they want, Both TELUS and PCCW Global stressed. when they want them. In line with noted that SD-WAN requires them this, Roque Lozano, SVP IP & optical to collaborate their teams together, To wrap up the conversation over networks, MEA, Nokia, said, “The user particularly within a distributed drivers of automation, Roque Lozano experience is wide. If you don’t match environment which is the cloud. Aloke said that the cost and security it, they will never trust any type of new raises the question about determining were important when it comes to services. I think SD-WAN is a good feat security policies that can propagate the automation, but he felt the most for the users and enterprise segment same QoS across everyone. important aspect was the business that combine, as I said, the agility and impact in ‘real-time.’ independence of the user to define their He clarified that “As you move more own network and the security of the and more stuff into the edge, you are “The capability of doing more things, carrier-class.” getting more decentralized; which capability to rearrange network service means security becomes a big in real-time are the key drivers as most In terms of ensuring the same challenge. You can’t put security in one operators know that new generation QoS throughout the ecosystem as point. You are not VPN-ing everything of services requires multi-services more people go towards the cloud, to one secure place and ensuring that capabilities in the network,” he collaboration and innovation can be the traffic that goes between them is explained. done. Aloke Tusnial, vice president all secure.” This is the reason why the of cloud business and solutions at secure access service edge (SASE) is Another important point, he said Spirent said, “I think with the payload- also a driver for SD-WAN. was that we are not automating the independent APIs … if we put the right network, we are automating the service amount of SLAs on there, if we put in Dr. Ibrahim also noted that CPEs are still to ensure that the whole value chain is the right amount of testing out there, needed despite the transition towards automated. “The network for sure is the we make sure that we actually look at it the cloud. In response, Aloke highlighted enabler, but the automation is not only at an end-to-end perspective, hopefully, the benefit of the cloud in delivering regarding software and hardware that very soon, we’ll get an environment CPEs. “Thanks to the partnership we we install, automation covers the whole where maybe PCCW Global is providing have with MEF on the certification service proposition for the carriers and the interconnectivity, TELUS is on one space, we see more and more of that is the enterprise,” he pointed out. side of the antenna and Etisalat is on SD-WAN providers are now trying to get the other side, and you can actually CPEs that will work on the edge cloud. Touching upon the topic of SD-WAN, provide a full SLA-based SD-WAN So instead of trying to ship the CPEs he said the technology will enable connectivity, all the way from Canada to a customer’s premise, you basically multi-application services. “SD-WAN is to UAE.” put it on the edge and then you have a a particular application of technology software agent that’s running on the that facilitates several use cases that Khaled Al Belooshi, VP fixed networks, edge so you don’t have to deliver a CPE are getting more traction in a couple of Etisalat, explained that as part of to everyone.” years,” he opined. their SD-WAN initiatives, zero-touch deployment and end-to-end service In a nutshell, the SD-WAN industry is End-user (customer) agility involves orchestration are offered to end-users. now moving into a cadence. Despite On the other hand, Kevin Vachon, MEF networks becoming more complex, QoS understanding and predicting the chief operating officer, mentioned that can be achieved. “If we all work together, customer needs, solving their the scope of orchestration has grown, that day is not very far. We can actually problems, and putting customers in but the automation process is slower achieve that,” concluded Aloke. MAY 2021 VENDORS’ NEWS 46 MAY 2021 VENDORS’ NEWS 47

Huawei proposes new ‘5G Experience Benchmark’ for ME Huawei to provide technological edge to Saudi’s transport and also shows that although 5G has been specific measurement method and logistics sector deployed on a large scale, there are detailed scoring mechanism, it is many opportunities to enhance user suggested that regulatory authorities The Saudi Ministry of Transport Under the arrangement, Huawei services provided to citizens, residents experience with better speed and and operators should discuss and has chosen Huawei technologies to will provide solutions in the field of and visitors across all transport less latency, especially for gaming cooperate to further clarify the boost the adoption and utilization automation, big data, and digitization. facilities including airports and railway and video users. This requires the quantification. For example, top of technology in the field of It will also contribute to the provision stations. It focuses on finding ways industry to build a unified benchmark services on an operator’s network are transportation and logistics to enhance of solutions for shared mobility, to implement the latest automation to evaluate comprehensive 5G different. Based on different services, the services it provides and achieve sustainability, and the use of disruptive and IoT practices in our operations experiences, again enabling operators entities need to perform modeling the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 set by technology in the development of the in addition to increasing multimodal to focus on the user experience, make based on a large number of live the kingdom. logistics sector and intelligent transport integration to enhance transportation precise investments, and improve ROI. network samples or lab test data. systems in the Kingdom. inside and across cities and reduce Huawei, a global leader in ICT travel time. Huawei proposed the 5G experience Also, the baseline values corresponding infrastructure and smart devices, Deputy Minister of Transport for benchmark by an S.L.A. model, to good user experiences, such as has signed a Memorandum of Planning and Information Dr. Mansour Located strategically along international which considers factors including the rate and latency, are provided Understanding (MoU) with the ministry Alturki represented the Ministry of trade routes in Asia, Europe and Africa, Aiming to provide a comprehensive 5G spectrum bandwidth, download to help measure and score the to enhance future mobility and Transport and David Tao, general Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to evaluation of 5G services for users rate, E2E latency, and coverage, to network experience gap and identify technology adoption by leveraging the manager of enterprise business make the most of the benefits of its across the Middle East, Huawei has comprehensively evaluate the 5G the operator network construction potential of advanced technologies Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, advantageous geographic position by proposed a new ‘5G Experience user experience. The 5G S.L.A user direction. Huawei hopes that regulatory such as 5G, AI and Big Data. represented Huawei. building robust and well-functioning Benchmark.’ The significance of this experience benchmark includes agencies and operators can reach a transport & logistics hub in the region. benchmark complements the rapid three main indexes, Speed, Latency, consensus on the availability of rate The MoU was signed by deputy Alturki said that the agreement will commercialization of 5G technology and Availability, and the overall index and latency, use these dimensions minister of Transport for Roads, contribute to enhancing the quality KSA government has already invested across the region. The benchmark aims is calculated by S*L*A. S indicates as the criteria for measuring their Eng Badr Al-Dulami, and David Shi, of life across the country through the heavily in the construction of several to enable telecom operators to focus the speed; L indicates latency and A networks, and then perform detailed president of enterprise business group, adoption of advanced smart transport transport & logistics infrastructure such on improving 5G user experiences, indicates the availability of 5G network. measurement and analysis based on Huawei Middle East. systems as well as improving the as ports, railways, roads and airports. make precise investments, and their networks. improve ROI. The score obtained by multiplying the three indexes is the final network The analysis of their networks CommScope to spin-off its Home Networks business into According to the experience of the experience benchmark value. will allow operators to identify the world’s 5G pioneer market, 5G users experience problems and gaps to make independent public company are mainly sensitive to the network rate, The 5G experience benchmark is a precise investments to improve the real-time experience, and 5G service multi-dimensional comprehensive user experience and accelerate digital independent publicly traded • Venue and Campus Networks: availability. In the GCC, the insight measurement model. For the economic growth. company. The separation is expected Targeting both public and private to be completed by the end of the networks for campuses, venues, first quarter of 2022. data centers, and buildings. Venue Nokia settles patent cross-licensing deal with Lenovo and Campus Networks is focused The planned spin-off will allow on driving performance in its Technologies, said, “We are delighted Nokia’s patent portfolio is built on CommScope and Home Networks RUCKUS Wi-Fi 6 and cloud control to have reached an agreement with more than €129 billion invested in CommScope Holding Company, to focus on innovation and pursue platforms, ONECELL features Lenovo. The agreement reflects Nokia’s R&D over the past two decades and Inc., a global leader in connectivity strategic market opportunities, to capitalize on 5G growth and decades-long investments in R&D and is composed of around 20,000 patent solutions for communications accelerating growth and unlocking virtualization, and driving high- contributions to cellular and multimedia families, including over 3,500 patent networks, announced its plan to greater value for their customers. density expansion in data centers. standards. We appreciate, and very families declared essential to 5G. spin-off its Home Networks business much respect, the constructive spirit and other initiatives to reduce Following the completion of the spin- • Outdoor Wireless Networks: Nokia has announced that it has Lenovo brought to our negotiations Nokia has also contributed operating costs throughout the off transaction, CommScope will Focused on the Macro and Metro resolved a multi-year, multi-technology and look forward to working together to significantly to multimedia and video Company. be composed of the following three Cell businesses and building metro patent cross-license agreement bring further innovation to their users research and the development of business segments: cell power solutions and modularity with Lenovo. Under the agreement, around the world.” industry standards over the course of Together, the planned separation design innovation. The segment is whose terms remain confidential, more than 30 years. of CommScope’s Home Networks • Broadband Networks: Dedicated to also working on the development Lenovo will make a net balancing Meanwhile, John Mulgrew, chief business and operating expense serving the telco and cable provider of new technologies in cell site payment to Nokia. The deal settles intellectual property officer of Lenovo, Nokia contributes these and other reduction represent early steps in broadband market as a leading connectivity and other technologies all pending patent litigation and other said, “Our agreement with Nokia reflects inventions to open standards in return the Company’s CommScope NEXT equipment manufacturer. The to support telco carriers building proceedings between the two parties, the value of both Nokia’s technology for the right to license them on fair, strategy to optimize the business segment is focused on growing its their 4G and 5G networks. in all jurisdictions, according to their leadership and Lenovo’s continued reasonable and non-discriminatory portfolio, drive above-market growth, current portfolio and deployment of statement. investment in 5G innovation. The (FRAND) terms. Companies can and control costs. The separation DAA and virtualized platforms and CommScope will continue to be led global accord struck will enable future license and use these technologies is intended to be executed through driving investments to expand fiber by Chuck Treadway, president and Commenting on the development, collaboration between our companies without the need to make their own a tax-free spin-off to CommScope capacity, fiber connectivity and CEO, and its current management Jenni Lukander, president of Nokia for the benefit of customers worldwide.” substantial investments in R&D. shareholders to form a new and network orchestration. team. MAY 2021 VENDORS’ NEWS 48 MAY 2021 VENDORS’ NEWS 49

Qualcomm reveals 5G mmWave connectivity 16 times faster than Nokia, Ooredoo Kuwait partner to boost 5G Fixed sub-6 GHz Wireless Access

data* from user-initiated tests on for enterprise-grade connectivity, or Fixed Wireless Access is essential commercial devices in the United in heavily crowded venues and similar for Kuwait’s economic growth and States. 5G mmWave uses ultra-wide public settings. diversification, and we’re delighted to be channels to deliver exponentially faster partnering with Nokia for this.” speeds and greater capacity compared Qualcomm Technologies made 5G with lower frequency 4G or 5G bands. mmWave technology a reality and it Meanwhile, Rima Manna, head of the 5G mmWave momentum continues is building breakthrough technologies Middle East market unit, Nokia MEA, through the world, with deployments and products to ensure its availability to said, “We are extremely proud to have from all major operators in the U.S. and users. Qualcomm Technologies, along been selected by Ooredoo to offer our Japan, recent deployments in Europe with leaders in the mobile ecosystem, FWA FastMile solution to customers and South East Asia, and more coming began this work years ago prior to who want a great experience and easy soon in regions such as Australia and standardization efforts, then moved installation. With this significant deal, Latin America. China is also expected to interoperability tests in 2017 and we strengthen our partnership with to deploy 5G mmWave for the Winter 2018, and ultimately commercialized Ooredoo Kuwait and looking forward to Olympics early next year. mmWave in 2019 launching multiple Nokia and Ooredoo Telecom have increase its fixed broadband customer working with the operator more closely flagship smartphones. Last year, the entered into an agreement where Nokia base across the country. to deliver compelling 5G experiences to 5G mmWave is critical to dramatically Company showcased 5G mmWave will be supplying Ooredoo Kuwait its customers.” Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. improving the performance and speeds of over 5 Gbps. 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Nokia’s self-installable 5G FWA announced real-world test results advancing the variety of connected equipment for the operator’s customer gateway incorporates Wi-Fi 6 with Ooredoo Kuwait was awarded the “Best demonstrating that 5G mmWave experiences in every setting. This Qualcomm Technologies is to making premises. self-optimizing mesh technology to Internet Service Provider” at the annual connectivity speeds on commercial advanced technology delivers massive ultra-fast 5G mmWave connectivity optimize performance in real time Service Hero Awards for the year 2020 devices is 16 times faster than bandwidth whether you’re at home rapidly available to a wide array of An early adopter of FWA, Ooredoo is and includes advanced antenna in recognition to the company’s long- 5G operating solely in sub-6 GHz with 5G fixed wireless access, on- users, and have already undertaken now offering the Nokia FastMile 5G designs with higher throughput and standing commitment to its customers. frequencies. These results were based the-go in a train station streaming TV multiple initiatives to spread the Gateway as a premium internet device better coverage resulting in improved The company remained focused on on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® shows, at work or school with a need advanced technology’s footprint for residential and business customers. customer experience and a lower launching new and innovative products Ooredoo Kuwait is using FWA to operational cost for Ooredoo. for its customers, signing an MoU with extend the reach of its fiber network the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) to Nokia offers expanded Wavence microwave solution for to premises not easily connected with Commenting on the partnership, Essa develop digital services, products and direct fiber lines. This development will Haider, director of network planning solutions that contribute to enriching 5G transport support the Ooredoo to significantly and design, Ooredoo Kuwait, said, “5G customer experiences. Nokia has expanded its range of reliability and decreases the need for maximum efficiency with 100 percent mobile transport products with a new periodic maintenance. Carrier Aggregation, including for Nokia delivers robust start to the year with strong range of indoor and outdoor solutions all 5G backhaul use cases across for Communications Service Providers Nokia is also introducing a full different frequency bands. financial results and enterprises. outdoor nodal configuration which includes a new ultra-compact module It also provides enhanced security doubling the number it added in Q1 The new Wavence portfolio provides called a Networking Interface Module protection via the encryption on 5G 2020; reported net sales increased 14%. a complete microwave solution for (NIM). The NIM can be used equally microwave radios as well as readiness all use cases covering short-haul, for new deployments or upgrades for FIPS (Federal Information The company announced a comparable long-haul, E-Band, and SDN delivering to the installed UBT base. This Processing Standards) certification gross margin of 38.2% (reported 37.9%), cost-effective high-capacity ultra- flexible, zero-footprint solution can and encryption. reflecting improvements in mobile broadband transceivers to support be easily plugged onto a standard networks, mainly driven by 5G growth operators with 5G networks. Ultra-Broadband Transceiver (UBT) “These new products further and favorable product and regional to enhance its outdoor capabilities, enhance Nokia’s industry-leading mix, and broad improvements across Nokia is releasing two compact Split offering multiple directions, multiple Wavence portfolio and highlight our network infrastructure. Mount solutions for 5G backhauling interfaces, and carrier aggregation. leadership in packet microwave and enabled by the new MSS-E and MSS- One NIM attaches to all UBT types, in both the short-haul and long-haul Comparable operating margin HE indoor units. These are compact, specifically UBT-m (80GHz), UBT-T segment. Wavence’s full-packet reached 10.9% (reported 8.5%), with cost-optimized units that are the (Twin), UBT-S (Single). architecture and its industry-leading improvements in comparable operating smallest on the market and provide innovations both in E-Band and Nokia announced the company’s solid growth in mobile networks; profit across all business groups, while high scalability and high throughput. The all-inclusive Wavence portfolio traditional bands are key to delivering financial results for the first quarter reported net sales increased 3%. comparable diluted EPS registered The units can also handle a wide provides best-in-class microwave effective 5G mobile transport,” said, 2021, registering a strong start to the EUR 0.07; reported diluted EPS of EUR temperature range spanning -40 in traditional bands (6-42 GHz), and Giuseppe Targia, VP Mobile Networks year with constant currency net sales Enterprise constant currency net sales 0.05. Nokia recorded a strong cash flow degrees to 65 degrees Celsius. This is E-Band (80 GHz) leveraging Nokia Microwave & Custom Solutions up 9% year-on-year, driven by strong are up 18% year-on-year, as Nokia performance, driven by operating profit achieved without fans and improves Bell Labs innovation. It provides the Business Unit at Nokia. growth in network infrastructure and gained 63 new customers, more than and good collection of receivables. MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 50 MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 51

manage staff and control the flow of businesses. Adoption of the best algorithms to increase sales in passengers using public transport. programs in data science, business the retail industry, effective data Experts are using big data to analyse analytics, and big data will be worth processing is critical for every project. accident trends on the roads and the consideration. develop effective preventative Big data has great potential to solutions. Efficient traffic and crowd Agile software development: With help produce new and insightful management models are already the trend of virtualization on the information, and there is a growing being implemented in major cities rise, it is key to adopt a collaborative debate on how businesses, around the world. Geographic and development approach coupled governments, and citizens can spatial data mining that extracts with design-thinking of software to maximize the benefits of big data. ICT geographic, environmental, and deliver proofs of concept in order players lie at the heart of digital data astronomical data to understand to maximize responsiveness to storage, retrieval, and transmission topology and distance is being changing business needs. with the potential to make business extensively used in the travel, more efficient, effective, and navigation, and governmental Tried and tested solutions: Save data responsive to customer needs. The sectors. processing, development, and time ICT industry is a major development by leveraging industry best practices, channel for business activities. It New technology such as artificial third-party data sets, accelerators, acts as a facilitator for the supply intelligence (AI) will use data to code and tested algorithms that aim to and allows access to a wide range of software that has the potential to meet customers’ needs. online services, increasing efficiency change industries such as agriculture, in institutions and corporations, health care, logistics, manufacturing, Mobile team: Real-time data with cost-effective promotion and customer care to transportation processing systems such as bank enhancement of communication. through automation making them ATMs, traffic control systems, and many times efficient than we know modern computer systems such as Having big data become a buzzword them today. the PC and mobile devices require in today’s digitally driven era, the ICT continuous data management. Thus, industry will have a major role to play Over the years, the use of data it is necessary to promote innovation in harnessing data-driven decision- There’s no doubt that data is a science has gone beyond just being a and collaboration through trained making to shape a better and simpler valuable tool for any business. A tool for optimization, and has become teams who can be deployed at any future for humanity. Navigating the data suitable example is online retail giant an essential component to build new location on demand. Amazon. Its focus on data-driven products and services. marketing strategy analyses billions PaaS offerings: The migration of of data points to test different things However, to be a data- applications towards the cloud processing highway in order to find out what works and driven organization, strategic will warrant Platform as a service what does not. No wonder in 2020, implementation of data management (PaaS) that will enable the delivery of the company reported net sales must be in place to achieve improved everything from simple cloud-based Data-driven decision-making has become a realistic valued at $125.56 billion, a 43.6% organizational consistency, increased apps to advanced, cloud-enabled increase compared to $87.44 billion productivity, greater collaboration enterprise applications on a pay-as- strategy for businesses today. Especially with the trend in the same quarter in 2019. and communication, faster and you-go basis and accessibility over a ICT players lie at the heart in cloud computing and data management strategy knowledgeable business decisions. secure internet connection, thereby Data encouraging business growth fast-tracking the value of data of digital data storage, such as Data as a service (DaaS) on offer, more and Many businesses are already Role of ICT players science. adopting data-driven decision- Creating intelligent systems that retrieval, and transmission more companies are turning to the solution for data making (DDDM) to grow their learn, adapt, and act autonomously Collaborative ecosystem: Operators, business. rather than just execute pre- vendors, and other ICT stakeholders integration, management, storage, and analytics. Rather defined instructions offers many must collaborate to support the with the potential to make Decision-makers are using data opportunities and challenges for the growth of startups by adopting than formulating strategies motivated by gut feelings to find out cost-effective ways of ICT sector. leading industry practices, based on business more efficient, and half-baked opinions, it is more reliable and sensible recruitment and product promotions, the latest technology and business marketing campaigns optimization, ICT players would do well in innovations. effective, and responsive to to use the available data to make business decisions. fraud detection, customer loyalty considering the below areas for improvement, leads generation, leveraging data science for their By analysing data coming from the customer needs ata mining patterns in the data. For instance, selection of publicity channels, etc. customers: various application sources and is integral analysis of historical information of a historical data, it’s possible to get a to business company helps to identify trends and Even non-commercial cases of data Skilled resources: Acquire highly clear understanding of the business intelligence and aid in making decisions for the future use, for example, in the transport skilled cross-functional experts who activities almost anywhere and helps generate based on successful and profitable sector are huge. Transport authorities can provide support and development anytime. From using environmental valuable insights practices, thereby reducing the can manage and develop their in the creative, user experience, sensors to create predictive models, D by identifying occurrence of risky assessments. timetables, build new infrastructure, analytics, technology aspect of to implementing recommendation MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 52 MAY 2021 ICT FEATURE 53

to their use on the road - by a forthcoming whether it would be an time and again. Drivers cannot computing, and security-focused big cumulative 200 megatons by 2030. automotive project. Apple has not afford to miss charging stations data analytics for connected cars. confirmed any vehicle project and when they are out on the road. They Other auto companies, to name a is also not clear if it will make cars would have to be informed about Energy demand management: The few, joining the e-vehicle route are or the gadgets to be used inside the nearest charging stations. adoption of electric vehicles will Volkswagen and General Motors. VW them. However, rumours about the Mobile communication will have increase the strains on electricity has already developed its platform company meeting with automakers a big impact in enabling charging supplies and networks. The for production while GM has plans to including Nissan and Hyundai about stations with cellular connectivity so environmental performance of exclusively offer electric vehicles by partnering on a vehicle are already that drivers can locate and reserve electric cars relies on the supply of 2035. As per market reports, despite out. Some reports also suggest that charging spots for their EVs, thereby electricity from non-polluting energy the pandemic, deliveries of EVs Apple has patented some vehicle saving stress and time on the road. sources. Reports show that energy grew year-over-year in 2020 by 43% features, such as sending alerts to Newer networks based on 4G and 5G and telecommunications services globally. drivers, reducing motion sickness, technologies offer benefits in terms are increasingly intersecting. ICT and climate controls. of real-time operation, including low solutions like smart grid technology Tech giants eyeing EV sector latency and long-term availability. that blends electricity provision Many tech companies are Sensing the tailwinds, as an initiative and consumption with advanced collaborating with carmakers in the to fight climate change through Battery electric vehicles (BEV): communication requirements have hopes of gaining from the potential its services, search engine giant Battery electric vehicles (BEV) to be incorporated in the e-vehicles market opportunity for software Google has announced climate- produce less CO2 than conventional ecosystem. An open-access provision applications such as autonomous focused changes to be implemented vehicles resulting in lower fuel allowing smart meter service driving. in the Google Maps app. The app emissions. However, continued use providers and utilities access to data will prompt drivers to take routes depends on effective ICT based capacity over telecommunications Chinese tech giant Huawei is that generate the lowest carbon enabling technologies to link BEVs networks is crucial for the planning to make electric cars under emissions based on traffic, slopes, with its environment to provide environmental and commercial its brand and the company has filed and other factors. The company information such as real-time battery success of the electric vehicle market. What does the two patents in the technical field has said that the feature would be charge levels, location of nearest of electronic circuits and power launched in the US sometime this charging infrastructure, route options A bright future? electronics technology. Huawei has year and would be available to other to optimize battery performance, The UAE’s first ultra-fast electric been developing technologies for EVs countries. and energy price in a given area vehicle charging stations have already surge in electric for years including in-car software within the BEVs vehicle grid been installed. Such installations systems, sensors for automobiles, Bridging the transition communication (VGC) infrastructure. are expected to promote the mass and 5G communications hardware. Interestingly, this gradual transition Using data analytics, ICT service adoption of EVs to improve air quality from internal combustion engines providers can gain insight into user and reduce vehicular pollution in vehicles mean for The company has been awarded to electrical engines for vehicles will charging behaviour, charging times, support of the UAE’s sustainability patents related to EVs, including warrant a change in the architecture economic and environmental saving ambitions. methods for charging between and role of information and information to improve the user electric vehicles and for checking communication technology (ICT) for experience, smart grid operation, and The Emirate also launched a fleet battery health. the vehicle of the future. widespread adoption of BEVs. of environmental-friendly Lithium the ICT industry? Titanate Oxide (LTO) electric buses Xiaomi, one of the world’s biggest Studies have shown that ICT, in the Cybersecurity challenge: Electronics powered by the fastest charging The use of electric vehicles as a means to cut transport smartphone makers recently form of electrics, electronics, and are an integral part of e-vehicle lithium battery in the world – the LTO announced that it will invest $10 software in vehicles, has become control. There is a major shift battery – which can be charged in emissions and ride over the fluctuating price and billion over the next decade in a essential for the automotive industry. from hardware to software in the less than 20 minutes. According to subsidiary dedicated to electric The studies state that when it comes automotive industry. However, reports, replacing one diesel bus with availability of oil is gaining momentum worldwide. vehicle production. However, to electric vehicles, ICT forms the because of software configuration, an electric bus is the equivalent of details of the company’s strategy backbone for all functions and that there is an increase in vehicle reducing harmful emissions from 27 ermany, Europe’s vehicles in February as compared to for entering the automotive the architectures and technologies connectivity options, leading to passenger cars driven for one year biggest economy, 15,484 in January 2021. market on whether it will focus on for vehicle ICT must be ready for automotive cybersecurity exposure. and 12,175 gallons of diesel over ten last year launched manufacturing or software have innovations. Malicious players can have access years. a 3 billion euro The tightening CO2 emission not been revealed. Apart from to electronics controlling engine ($3.6 billion) plan standards in Europe and China have smartphones, Xiaomi also makes The adoption of e-vehicles may seem ignition, acceleration, steering, and Analysts say that the EV industry is for consumer resulted in carmakers racing to a range of gadgets including CCTV to give a picture of a perfect world braking that have the potential to set for a $5 trillion market opportunity rebates for develop electric cars. Even luxury cameras, electric shavers, and with low emission and clear blue endanger lives and even damage the over the next decade accelerated by Gbuying electric vehicles and wall-box carmaker BMW is planning for toothbrushes, light bulbs, watches, skies but it does not come without reputation of carmakers. ICT players the pent-up demand globally around chargers and putting away their old half of its sales to be fully-electric and scooters, etc. some challenges; that is where the in the cybersecurity space would do electric vehicle technology. vehicles, and fostering innovation. models by 2030. The company’s ICT industry will have a bigger role to well in developing security protocol sustainability goals include reducing Moreover, Apple CEO, Tim Cook play. standards in the security of vehicle- All this sounds like a good enough According to Chinese auto industry its CO2 emissions from the entire mentioned recently “internal accessible external devices, in- reason for the ITC industry to brace body CPCA data, electric vehicle lifespan of its vehicles - from raw investigation” for projects going on Cellular connectivity: Electric cars vehicle system intrusion, detection, for an inevitable future of electric- maker Tesla sold 18,318 China-made materials and production process in the company but again was not need to be charged and recharged the security of vehicular edge powered mobility systems. MAY 2021 GLOBAL NEWS 54 MAY 2021 EVENTS’ CALENDAR 55

Australia ZTE partners Beeline for Uzbekistan’s completes 26 largest virtualized SDM ZTE Corporation, a major international high-capacity data maintenance. In GHz 5G spectrum provider of telecommunications, enterprise addition, this platform also meets Beeline’s Capacity Middle East and consumer technology solutions for needs for 5G evolution. This year’s edition will be both online and auction raising the Mobile Internet, together with Beeline, physical. The physical part of the event will 23 one of the largest operators in Uzbekistan During vSDM platform deployment, take place 18-19 May at Intercontinental $650m of VEON Group, has deployed the ZTE iEPMS (Intelligent Engineering Dubai - Festival City. MARCH largest virtualized SDM (Subscriber Data Project Management System) has been The Australian Communications Management) platform in Uzbekistan. employed for the full-process professional Place: online and physical in Dubai, UAE and Media Authority (ACMA) This marks an important step in digital management of key benchmarks, such 19 has announced the successful operation for Beeline to satisfy one third its as equipment arrival, installation and MAY completion and outcome of the 26 local users with a better user experience. debugging, first call connection, PAT test GHz spectrum auction. and network cutover, to guarantee efficient By virtue of the virtualized SDM platform, network deployment. This 26 GHz or ‘millimetre wave’ ZTE has helped Beeline improve the spectrum is a critical enabler for 5G network performance while reducing Despite various risks brought by networks to reach their full potential, the overall OPEX costs by 60%. At the COVID-19, ZTE, backed up with its because it allows extremely large same time, the network reliability has innovative cloud delivery mode, has BEYOND 5G amounts of data to be carried. increased to 99.9999%, thus ensuring the adopted its advanced intelligent network security and reliability of user data. As deployment tools to efficiently complete The endless benefits of 5G to The Morrison Government the user data management center of the the equipment inspection, automatic operators committed that 2021 would be mobile network, the vSDM platform can cloud platform commissioning, automatic the ‘Year of 5G’. This successful manage 2G, 3G, 4G LTE network and EIR NE deployment and O&M support. Telecom Review is hosting a virtual panel 20 allocation of millimetre wave (Equipment Identity Register) to flexibly Eventually, the company has successfully discussion on how telecom operators can MAY spectrum to five successful bidders meet such requirements as integrated constructed the largest vSDM platform in benefit from 5G networks. through this auction is part of development of multiple networks and Uzbekistan. meeting that commitment. Place: Virtual (online) Minister for Communications, Urban Canada decides on digital taxation of Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP said, tech giants “With access to 15-year licences for millimetre wave spectrum, network In a strategic move to have a tax system Until now, US tech giants have operated operators will now be able to provide that promotes fairness, the Canadian without following specific regulations GISEC fast, high capacity, and low latency government’s Federal Budget 2021 in Canada. This is an unfair case in services to build on and enhance confirms the implementation of a digital comparison to local broadcasters and Esports, 5G streaming, 8K cameras, satellite their existing 5G networks.” services tax (DST) at a rate of 3% on cable players that mandatorily contribute innovations and many more of the biggest revenue from digital service providers such a share of their revenues to subsidize breakthroughs in broadcast, media, satellite and 24 Five bidders were successful in as Amazon, Facebook, and Netflix that rely production. Previous concerns about film! Join the full content journey from ideation to

- MAY securing spectrum licences in on data and content contributions from over-the-top (OTT) usage in Canada production to distribution at CABSAT. the 26 GHz auction, with a total Canadian users. have been discussed as Netflix entered 26 value of $647.64 million. Telstra, the Canadian streaming landscape. Place: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE Optus and TPG Telecom have each “The government is committed to Therefore, taxing US streamers in the secured significant allocations of ensuring that corporations in all sectors, near future sorts out their advantage spectrum across all 27 geographic including digital corporations, pay their fair of local incentives, currency savings, areas available at the auction, with share of tax on the money they earn by soundstages, and production crews to Telstra securing 150 lots for $276.6 doing business in Canada,” a statement make original productions. million and Optus securing 116 lots derived from the government. The DST for $226.2 million. TPG secured would apply to large digital businesses For the most part, the proposal is 86 lots for $108.2 million. Dense with gross revenue of 750 million euros consistent with the Organisation Air, in Sydney and Melbourne, and or more. To be effective on January 1, for Economic Co-operation and Pentanet, in Western Australia, 2022, Canada intends to take action until Development (OECD) guidelines on were also successful in securing an acceptable multilateral approach digital taxation. Applicable to both foreign spectrum that will allow the comes into effect. It is estimated that this and domestic companies, the DST deployment of new and innovative new taxation policy will raise $3.4 billion will be levied on revenue from online 5G services. in revenue over five years beginning in marketplaces, social media platforms, Latest updates on: www.telecomreview.com 2021-22. online advertising, and user data. MAY 2021 EVENTS’ CALENDAR 56

IPv6 webinar

For the second consecutive year and following the success of the first edition, Trace Media and Telecom Review are organizing the IPv6 webinar entitled “IPv6: 16 Expanding the influence of IPv6+ to enable JUNE the digital economy”.

Place: virtual

Digitizing the capacity industry

The wholesale industry is a key to the telecommunications cycle. Telecom Review 27

will highlight the importance of wholesale JULY services in its upcoming virtual panel.

Place: virtual

Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit 2021

The 15th edition of the leading ICT gathering will be held in a hybrid mode where the latest 8 industry trends will be tackled.

Place: InterContinental Dubai Festival City DECEMBER and virtual

Latest updates on: www.telecomreview.com Leading global ICT media platforms

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