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Issue 133<br />
MEET ICT & BITEX<br />
Special<br />
<strong>Kingdom</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
to be digitally enabled<br />
in line with the<br />
global trend<br />
Eng. Muna Al Hashemi<br />
CEO, Batelco <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
January 2017
Meet ICT & BITEX _ AD.pdf 5 12/8/16 11:26 AM<br />
تحت رعاية سعادة المهندس<br />
كمال بن أحمد محمد وزير المواصلات و اتصالات<br />
Under the Patronage <strong>of</strong> H.E Eng.Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed,<br />
The Minister <strong>of</strong> Transportation and Telecommunications<br />
JOIN THE 7TH EDITION<br />
OF THE LEADING ICT<br />
EVENT IN BAHRAIN<br />
2017<br />
www.meetict.com<br />
C<br />
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CM<br />
MY<br />
CY<br />
CMY<br />
K<br />
Gulf Convention Centre<br />
Gulf Hotel, <strong>Kingdom</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
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12<br />
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January 2017<br />
12 th year <strong>of</strong> publication<br />
Managing Editor<br />
Nasreen Akhtar<br />
info@teletimesinternational.com<br />
Assistant Editors<br />
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Haroon Rashid, Camilla Urdahl<br />
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A Teletimes Media LLC Publication
AN EVENT OF<br />
Mobile has become fundamental to our everyday lives.<br />
It has inextricably changed how we communicate,<br />
interact, work and play as individuals. It is<br />
transforming entire industries, bringing new levels<br />
<strong>of</strong> productivity and efficiency to enterprises.<br />
Over three decades, mobile has evolved from an<br />
emerging communications technology to a<br />
phenomenon that is now at the foundation <strong>of</strong><br />
everything we do. How can we describe the role<br />
<strong>of</strong> mobile in today’s world?<br />
Elemental.<br />
Mobile is revolutionary, dynamic, ever adapting.<br />
It’s the force behind every emerging innovation, every<br />
forward-thinking enterprise. Join us in Barcelona for<br />
Mobile World Congress 2017, where the world comes<br />
together to showcase, celebrate and advance mobile.<br />
WWW.MOBILEWORLDCONGRESS.COM
23 33<br />
2016 has been a year <strong>of</strong> great transformation<br />
Liu Dianfeng, CEO - CMPak (China Mobile)<br />
A year in review and the future outlook<br />
Riyadh Al Adely, Managing Director - SkyStream<br />
Interviews<br />
19 C5 provides a highly tailored programme in the<br />
form <strong>of</strong> Cloud10<br />
Hadyah Fathalla, Executive Director, C5 Accelerate<br />
20<br />
This year we expect to see integration<br />
with key players in the industry<br />
Eng. Muna Al Hashemi, CEO, Batelco <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
Telecom, IoT and AI<br />
08 The evolution <strong>of</strong> communications<br />
14 Etisalat Group active to promote<br />
telecommunications services in UAE<br />
16 US to continue to assist India in<br />
development <strong>of</strong> ‘Smart Cities’ under Trump<br />
22<br />
47<br />
STC announced 4th quarter financial results<br />
26 Huawei secures top spot at Etisalat<br />
Strategic Suppliers Awards<br />
29 The Levant’s rising Digital Economy creates<br />
new opportunities for tech entrepreneurs<br />
Cyber Security in 2017<br />
30<br />
Qualcomm has always been the leader in<br />
pioneering next generation technology<br />
Jay Srage, President, MEA & Southeast Asia - Qualcomm
Letter to Readers<br />
Dear Reader<br />
2016 has been a year <strong>of</strong> great challenges and transformation<br />
for all <strong>of</strong> us. As we move towards a Global Data Economy, the<br />
roles <strong>of</strong> all players are fast changing to accommodate for today’s<br />
needs and market conditions. You will find a lot <strong>of</strong> interesting<br />
interviews and opinions on the past year and what we are looking<br />
forward to in 2017 in this edition.<br />
11<br />
Brand-building takes time, especially when done globally<br />
Joy Tan, President Global Media Communications - Huawei<br />
Event Reports<br />
17<br />
29<br />
32<br />
36<br />
MEET ICT and BITEX 2017<br />
to be held under the patronage <strong>of</strong><br />
H.E. Eng. Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed,<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> transport and telecommunications,<br />
<strong>Kingdom</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre<br />
hosts UN / UAE - High Level Forum<br />
Satellite Communications<br />
Moving closer to delivering the home WiFi<br />
experience to users on the move<br />
“Space as a Driver for Socio-Economic<br />
Sustainable Development”<br />
One <strong>of</strong> my recommended reads is the interview with Joy<br />
Tan, President <strong>of</strong> Global Media Communications at Huawei<br />
Technologies. She talks about Huawei’s journey on a global<br />
level, brand-building (Huawei is now one <strong>of</strong> the most well-known<br />
global telecom brands) and the future outlook for one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world’s largest telecommunications companies.<br />
You will find exclusive insights from other industry leaders in this<br />
edition such as Liu Dianfeng, CEO <strong>of</strong> Zong (China Mobile) and Jay<br />
Srage, President, MEA and SEA – Qualcomm.<br />
<strong>Bahrain</strong> has been a key Middle East market demonstrating good<br />
growth in terms <strong>of</strong> market size, level <strong>of</strong> technology and user<br />
adoption over the past years. We are now looking at MEET ICT<br />
& BITEX <strong>Bahrain</strong> in the 2nd week <strong>of</strong> February 2017. The event<br />
will focus on discussion on the <strong>Bahrain</strong> ICT market, its role<br />
in the regional market and connect <strong>Bahrain</strong> ICT players with<br />
other players within the region and beyond. Teletimes is the<br />
International Media Partner to this event and will be actively<br />
participating there. I am personally available to meet any <strong>of</strong> our<br />
readers and partners at the event and can be directly reached at<br />
khalidathar@teletimesinternational.com<br />
When we talk about <strong>Bahrain</strong>, it is impossible to not mention<br />
Batelco – you will find in this edition an exclusive interview with<br />
Eng. Muna Al Hashemi the CEO <strong>of</strong> Batelco.<br />
As always, your feedback is welcome and much appreciated at<br />
info@teletimesinternational.com<br />
Please enjoy reading this edition <strong>of</strong> Teletimes International!<br />
40<br />
42<br />
43<br />
Selevision chooses Voddler Group<br />
to optimise quality <strong>of</strong> experience<br />
EUTELSAT 117 West B now in commercial service<br />
Ericsson and SpeedCast International<br />
announce global partnership<br />
Scan to download PDF version<br />
Follow @TeletimesIntl on Twitter
ARTICLE<br />
The<br />
evolution <strong>of</strong><br />
communications<br />
Toby Ruckert<br />
CEO - Unified Inbox<br />
Back in the day, people talked<br />
in person. Communications<br />
was exclusively synchronous,<br />
complete with sight, sound,<br />
and even smell (both good<br />
and bad). Then came the breakthrough<br />
technology <strong>of</strong> letters, and before we knew<br />
it, communications became possible on<br />
different channels.<br />
Today, we now use dozens <strong>of</strong> different<br />
synchronous (live) and asynchronous<br />
communications channels at home and at<br />
work. These include everything from ink on<br />
paper letters to emails and from chat and<br />
messaging apps to social media.<br />
Interestingly, at this point <strong>of</strong><br />
communications evolution our<br />
asynchronous text-based messaging —<br />
thanks to the rich media <strong>of</strong> photos, videos,<br />
audio, emoji, and stickers — enable us<br />
to engage our senses (with the notable<br />
exception <strong>of</strong> smell, so far) more than a live<br />
audio conversation does.<br />
This, combined with the sheer speed and<br />
convenience <strong>of</strong> being able to express our<br />
every thought, feeling, and opinion anytime<br />
and from anywhere, has made text-based<br />
messaging our most frequently used<br />
method <strong>of</strong> communications.<br />
Which industries are affected by this<br />
evolution?<br />
Pretty much all industries will over time<br />
be affected by this constant evolution <strong>of</strong><br />
communications. But there are some which<br />
have communications as their core DNA<br />
and therefore will be disrupted first.<br />
Telecom Companies<br />
While all telecoms <strong>of</strong>fer internet packages,<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten with unlimited access to our choice<br />
<strong>of</strong> different messaging services through<br />
their pipes, customers still perceive them<br />
as being voice-driven. As a whole, telecoms<br />
have not yet managed to move up the<br />
value chain to be perceived as innovators,<br />
value creators, and service providers for<br />
how people want to communicate. Many<br />
millennials view the telcos in the same<br />
way as previous generations view electric<br />
utilities — dull, but necessary. What matters<br />
to them is their device, not who powers it or<br />
how it connects to the internet. There is a<br />
huge opportunity for telecoms to reposition<br />
and rebrand themselves to better engage<br />
current and future generations.<br />
Postal Companies<br />
Suffering with increased costs, decreased<br />
margins and the immense pressure <strong>of</strong><br />
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the world as a whole moving away from<br />
postal to electronic communications,<br />
postal companies are gravely affected by<br />
this communications evolution. With few<br />
exceptions, they have little or no history,<br />
experience or technology when it comes to<br />
pushing for a more digital world.<br />
That said, they know where people live<br />
and who stays in one household together.<br />
Consequently they have an unique ability<br />
to leverage identities in a physical-digital<br />
world fabric. However whether they can<br />
eventually make use <strong>of</strong> this opportunity<br />
remains to be seen.<br />
Device Manufacturers and S<strong>of</strong>tware<br />
Companies<br />
Interaction with technology is greatly<br />
changing alongside the evolution <strong>of</strong><br />
communications – both in terms <strong>of</strong><br />
hardware as well as s<strong>of</strong>tware. In s<strong>of</strong>tware<br />
we’re seeing the rise <strong>of</strong> chatbots and<br />
hardware is getting a personality makover<br />
<strong>of</strong> its own. This is driven by design thinking<br />
and human device interaction: so far we<br />
literally had to be “in touch” with our<br />
devices in order to operate them, but now<br />
communications and control is available<br />
from our smartphones via the same<br />
messaging platforms which push chat<br />
bots and manage our human to human<br />
communications electronically already<br />
(refer to “How People and Machines<br />
communicate in Future” for more detail).<br />
Therefore it is an enormous opportunity<br />
for both makers and developers to<br />
accelerate their development and <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
by having an innovation strategy in place<br />
which is aligned with the evolution <strong>of</strong><br />
communications.<br />
Becoming an enabler for IoT – the<br />
Internet <strong>of</strong> Things<br />
No matter which industry you’re in, the<br />
ongoing evolution <strong>of</strong> communications will<br />
touch your work and customers. The easiest<br />
way to not get disrupted in the process is<br />
to be aligned with the current phase <strong>of</strong> this<br />
communications evolution, to see and to<br />
seize the opportunities that come with it,<br />
and to potentiatlly even become a force for<br />
disruption in your own industry.<br />
In the current state <strong>of</strong> this evolution,<br />
IoT plays a dominant role. Becoming an<br />
enabler for IoT, or, at the minimum, having<br />
a strategy in place which supports those<br />
enabling this next phase would certainly<br />
create new opportunities but at the very<br />
least could simply ensure survival.<br />
The above example industries could all be<br />
key influencers in IoT. Telcos could be part<br />
<strong>of</strong> the “I”nternet’s infrastructure, postal<br />
companies manage the “o”f identities<br />
between man and machine and device<br />
makers and s<strong>of</strong>tware developers naturally<br />
develop “T”hings for IoT.<br />
The glue which brings it all together is<br />
“intelligent IoT messaging”. It’s easier (and<br />
safer!) for smart, connected machines<br />
to talk with humans using text-based<br />
messaging. Technologically speaking,<br />
the apps we currently use to control and<br />
manage our smart devices are all API-driven<br />
anyway. Therefore – for now – text trumps<br />
voice recognition as it eliminates the<br />
problems <strong>of</strong> understanding different voices,<br />
accents, and dialects.<br />
Eventually <strong>of</strong> course there will be an<br />
Artificial General Intelligence (or “AGI”)<br />
powered interface which rules them all –<br />
whether that is messaging, voice or thought<br />
(see below “Future Outlook”) based – but<br />
that is likely still years away. Often it is<br />
not technology which isn’t ready, but our<br />
behaviour in society. For instance it would<br />
still be awkward (at best) for you to host<br />
your next dinner party while yelling at all<br />
<strong>of</strong> your appliances as you entertain your<br />
guests.<br />
In the meantime text-based messaging<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers us the privacy and security <strong>of</strong><br />
controlling our smart devices and having<br />
them communicate with us without others<br />
even noticing. Your appliances, for example,<br />
could tell you when each food is ready.<br />
Future Outlook<br />
Research tells us the generation currently<br />
entering the workforce prefer text-based<br />
messaging for communications in both their<br />
human and their machine relationships.<br />
I predict, however, that the next<br />
generations, those born after 2020, will<br />
prefer voice. After seeing their parents<br />
glued to their screens, they will long for<br />
voice-based interaction and (following) its<br />
easy, intuitive commands driven by AGIpowered<br />
personal assistants.<br />
Latest 2040, I believe thought-based<br />
communications will start to be en<br />
vogue and then making the channel use<br />
irrelevant. This certainly guarantees that<br />
each generation will become even more<br />
impatient than the last.<br />
Electric communication will never be a<br />
substitute for the face <strong>of</strong> someone who with<br />
their soul encourages another person to be<br />
brave and true” – Charles Dickens<br />
The takeaway for makers, researchers and<br />
developers?<br />
For the next five years, focus on text<br />
integration rather than building an app; and<br />
latest from 2020 on, focus on direct voice<br />
integration with AGI-powered assistants.<br />
The underlying technologies <strong>of</strong> AGI and<br />
intelligent IoT messaging will evolve over<br />
the next decade so developers can continue<br />
to create the next generation <strong>of</strong> messaging<br />
technologies alongside the ongoing<br />
communications evolution.<br />
10 January 2017
INTERVIEW<br />
Brand-building<br />
takes time, especially<br />
when done globally<br />
Joy Tan<br />
President, Global Media<br />
Communications<br />
Huawei Technologies<br />
Interview - Khalid Athar<br />
Khalid Athar: As a thought leader, you<br />
have contributed new insights on the<br />
developments taking place within the<br />
ICT sector. What developments or trends<br />
within the industry do you feel have been<br />
the biggest drivers <strong>of</strong> business growth?<br />
Joy Tan: ICT growth is being driven by<br />
several forces, all <strong>of</strong> which will be familiar to<br />
readers <strong>of</strong> Teletimes International. They are<br />
Cloud computing, online video, the Internet<br />
<strong>of</strong> Things (IoT), and digital transformation.<br />
Cloud computing creates opportunities<br />
for companies to create new products,<br />
services, and business models. Large<br />
companies have already embraced the<br />
Cloud, and small and mid-sized enterprises<br />
are beginning to follow suit. In fact, the big<br />
trend that Huawei sees in Cloud computing<br />
is what might be called the Industry Cloud.<br />
It’s actually not a single cloud at all, but<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> distinct, separate clouds<br />
spanning different industry verticals.<br />
Huawei projects that by 2025, 85% <strong>of</strong><br />
enterprise applications will be deployed<br />
in the Cloud, and that every company will<br />
integrate its core business with the Cloud.<br />
Online video is putting huge pressure on<br />
data networks. Gaming, streaming video,<br />
virtual and augmented reality, not to<br />
mention video captured by sensors in the<br />
Internet <strong>of</strong> Things – all will increase this<br />
pressure over time and deepen society’s<br />
reliance on the network. More data means<br />
more opportunities to apply analytics<br />
that produce business insights and, in<br />
many cases, social benefits. Of course,<br />
many people watch video on their phones,<br />
creating demand for our smartphones,<br />
tablets, and other devices.<br />
The IoT will create estimated 100b<br />
connections within the next 10 years, a<br />
significant driver <strong>of</strong> business for Huawei.<br />
This means companies will operate in a web<br />
<strong>of</strong> digital connections – a digital ecosystem.<br />
Industries that never had to work together<br />
before will have to start collaborating.<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> that collaboration will happen<br />
through the Cloud.<br />
The Cloud is also central to the fourth<br />
big trend, Digital Transformation – the<br />
process whereby companies become<br />
digital enterprises. To become digital,<br />
companies have to integrate the Cloud<br />
into their production processes. This will<br />
give them access to advanced technologies<br />
like data analytics, mobile broadband, and<br />
the Internet <strong>of</strong> Things. With these new<br />
resources, companies will be able to deliver<br />
products and services at scale, in a way that<br />
is flexible, customized, and innovative.<br />
Again, all <strong>of</strong> these trends – video, cloud, IoT,<br />
and digital transformation – are going to<br />
increase society’s reliance on the network.<br />
That means that sound ICT regulatory<br />
policy and secure, stable networks will be<br />
essential requirements for prosperity and<br />
growth.<br />
KA: How has 2016 been a<br />
transformational year for Huawei as a<br />
top technology brand among businesses<br />
as well as end-users <strong>of</strong> your handheld<br />
devices and digital platforms?<br />
January 2017<br />
11
JT: Brand-building takes time, especially<br />
when done globally, and in 2016 Huawei<br />
saw steady improvement in our brand<br />
recognition. We rose to #72 on Interbrand’s<br />
global brand ranking, moving up 16 spots or<br />
18 percent from 2015. In 2016, in addition to<br />
product ads, we launched a comprehensive<br />
corporate branding campaign. It used a<br />
series <strong>of</strong> images and stories to convey to<br />
our key stakeholders as well as the general<br />
public who we are, where we came from,<br />
and what we stand for. This campaign has<br />
run in many countries and regions. I believe<br />
you can see the impact in our business,<br />
which has grown substantially this year.<br />
KA: What is Huawei’s global marketing<br />
vision as the world’s leading<br />
telecommunications company, which<br />
some argue, many consumers in the<br />
Western world don’t know much about?<br />
JT: Again, we’ve begun talking more about<br />
our values, what we believe and why we do<br />
what we do. We don’t want to be known<br />
simply as a company that makes phones,<br />
or network switching equipment, even<br />
though we do make those things. We want<br />
to be known as a company that enables the<br />
digital, intelligent society <strong>of</strong> the future.<br />
That may sound a bit abstract, but it’s really<br />
not. In an intelligent world, factories will run<br />
more efficiently, farmers will use less water<br />
and get better crop yields, streetlamps will<br />
use less electricity, and nearly everything<br />
will emit less carbon. People will have<br />
access to always-on medical services and<br />
education. Cities will be safer. The potential<br />
for improving the quality <strong>of</strong> everyday life<br />
is immense. You can get bogged down in<br />
the bits and bytes, but as a communicator,<br />
I always try to emphasize technology’s<br />
benefits to people and society.<br />
KA: What specific endeavours by your<br />
team <strong>of</strong> media and communications<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals have helped elevate<br />
Huawei’s standing as a top technology<br />
player on the global scale?<br />
JT: One <strong>of</strong> Huawei’s core principles is to<br />
remain customer-centric, and if you’re in<br />
Corporate Communications, your main<br />
customers are the media. My team tries to<br />
apply that philosophy to our engagement<br />
with journalists around the world. We give<br />
them information that provides context<br />
for their stories, so they in turn can help<br />
their audiences better understand not just<br />
Huawei has been investing in 5G research since<br />
2009. We collaborate closely with top universities<br />
including Harvard, University <strong>of</strong> California at<br />
Berkeley, and Cambridge, and to date have<br />
published more than 250 research papers<br />
about 5G technology”<br />
Huawei, but the technological changes<br />
affecting the economy and the world.<br />
One new thing we did last year was to start<br />
an influencer marketing function aimed at<br />
Key Opinion Leaders, or KOLs – bloggers<br />
and other people who may not be accredited<br />
journalists, but are nevertheless shaping<br />
conversations related to technology in<br />
general, and Huawei in particular. We look<br />
for people who have substantial online<br />
followings, or who have a strong influence in<br />
specific areas such as cloud computing, safe<br />
cities, robotics, or fintech. Currently we have<br />
more than 100 KOLs. In 2016, they shared<br />
Huawei-related content that reached 39<br />
million people.<br />
KA: How is Huawei promoting its<br />
innovation and best practices particularly<br />
within South Asia and the MENA region?<br />
JT: In the Middle East, Huawei manages<br />
more than 24 operators’ networks in more<br />
than 10 countries. We have three resource<br />
centers dedicated to Managed Services, and<br />
three training centers across the region. We<br />
partner with leading local organizations to<br />
create innovation centers in the UAE, Saudi<br />
Arabia, Kuwait, <strong>Bahrain</strong> and elsewhere.<br />
We also invest in local talent through our<br />
“Seeds for the Future” program. Partners<br />
in that program include leading universities<br />
such as King Fahd University <strong>of</strong> Petroleum<br />
and Minerals, UAE Higher Colleges <strong>of</strong><br />
Technology, King Saud University, Kuwait<br />
University, Texas A&M University in Qatar,<br />
and the University <strong>of</strong> <strong>Bahrain</strong>. We also work<br />
with regulatory and other government<br />
authorities, and with organizations such as<br />
Aramco, UAE TRA, Saudi CITC, Oman TRA.<br />
In South Asia, Huawei’s Lean GSM<br />
solution helped Telenor India in its digital<br />
transformation project. Among other things,<br />
we provided green solutions that reduced<br />
power consumption by nearly one-third and<br />
increased spectrum efficiency and network<br />
capacity by more than 30%. Telenor took<br />
that saved spectrum and used it to launch<br />
an affordable high-speed internet service<br />
to a mass market in India. Last August, we<br />
set up a Global Services Center (GSC) in<br />
Bangalore with an investment <strong>of</strong> over US<br />
$20 million. And in partnership with Flex, a<br />
contract manufacturer, last fall we started<br />
manufacturing Smart Phones in India.<br />
KA: What are your views on IoT for<br />
telecom operators, on its sustainability<br />
practices, and how should it be viewed by<br />
the general public in terms <strong>of</strong> its potential<br />
contributions to enhancing quality <strong>of</strong> life?<br />
JT: IoT is a big contributor to sustainability.<br />
It’s already making a difference in agriculture<br />
by helping farmers in drought-stricken<br />
regions conserve water. In California, for<br />
example, some farmers are already using<br />
20% less water to grow their crops because<br />
<strong>of</strong> IoT technology. This increases yields,<br />
while lowering costs. Smart power grids will<br />
use IoT sensors that help operators manage<br />
loads more efficiently and check meters<br />
remotely. Buildings will use less energy and<br />
emit less carbon. Huawei recently conducted<br />
a year-long pilot experiment in China where<br />
a four-story <strong>of</strong>fice building employed<br />
energy-control systems using IoT sensor<br />
technology. After just one year, the building<br />
had saved the equivalent <strong>of</strong> 165 tons <strong>of</strong> coal.<br />
Rolled out across China, such programs<br />
could reduce air pollution substantially.<br />
Manufacturing, public infrastructure, and<br />
many other areas will also benefit from the<br />
efficiencies created by the IoT.<br />
KA: What R&D leadership role has Huawei<br />
taken to accelerate the development <strong>of</strong><br />
5G technologies, and do you also view<br />
2020 as being the year <strong>of</strong> 5G’s widespread<br />
availability?<br />
JT: Huawei has been investing in 5G research<br />
since 2009. We collaborate closely with top<br />
universities including Harvard, University <strong>of</strong><br />
California at Berkeley, and<br />
12 January 2017
Cambridge, and to date have published<br />
more than 250 research papers about 5G<br />
technology through our engagement with<br />
these leading schools. We have more than<br />
2,000 research scientists and other experts<br />
working on 5G, and have established 11 5G<br />
research centers around the world. In the<br />
five years between 2013 and 2018, Huawei<br />
will invest at least US$600m in 5G research<br />
and innovation.<br />
We’ve also been promoting 5G<br />
standardization. In the EU, we’ve played<br />
a leading role in the 5G PPP project. We<br />
are the founding member <strong>of</strong> 5GIC, a 5G<br />
innovation center in the UK. With respect<br />
to 5G as it relates to the industrial IoT,<br />
we are a founding member <strong>of</strong> the 5G<br />
Vertical Industry Accelerator program,<br />
through which we collaborate with various<br />
industry sectors in Europe in finding and<br />
encouraging early adoption <strong>of</strong> 5G IoT<br />
solutions.<br />
There have been several early 5G precommercial<br />
adoptions, such as the 2018<br />
Winter Olympic Games in South Korea, the<br />
2018 World Cup in Russia, the 2020 Olympic<br />
Games in Japan, and Expo 2020 in the UAE.<br />
Huawei has been actively involved in all <strong>of</strong><br />
them.<br />
KA: What are some <strong>of</strong> the ways in<br />
which Huawei, through its media and<br />
communications strategy under your<br />
leadership, is promoting digital inclusion<br />
across the world?<br />
JT: Bridging the digital divide is a hugely<br />
important issue. Worldwide, about 4 billion<br />
people remain <strong>of</strong>fline. If even a small<br />
fraction <strong>of</strong> those people come online in<br />
the next five to 10 years, it will create new<br />
commercial opportunities and raise living<br />
standards. That means there’s an urgent<br />
need to build out broadbrand networks in<br />
less developed regions <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
Huawei runs a program called Seeds for<br />
the Future that trains young engineers in<br />
countries around the world. This type <strong>of</strong><br />
intervention can have a dramatic impact<br />
on digital inclusion, especially in remote<br />
areas. For example, last year we launched<br />
a project aimed at bringing connectivity to<br />
small fishing villages in a remote part<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Amazon Forest in Brazil. We took<br />
30 young Brazilian students and trained<br />
them in basic IT skills, computer<br />
maintenance, and photovoltaic systems.<br />
Bridging the digital divide is a hugely important<br />
issue. Worldwide, about 4 billion people remain<br />
<strong>of</strong>fline. If even a small fraction <strong>of</strong> those people<br />
come online in the next five to 10 years, it will<br />
create new commercial opportunities and raise<br />
living standards”<br />
This last item is crucial because many<br />
Brazilian villages lack electricity, and solar<br />
power is their only hope <strong>of</strong> connecting to<br />
the Internet.<br />
Also, each year we publish a Global<br />
Connectivity Index that measures different<br />
countries’ progress toward achieving<br />
digital parity. We hope this encourages<br />
governments to invest in broadband, cloud<br />
computing, the Internet <strong>of</strong> Things, and data<br />
center technologies, all <strong>of</strong> which will form<br />
the basis <strong>of</strong> economic development over<br />
the next decade and beyond.<br />
January 2017<br />
13
NEWS<br />
Etisalat Group active to promote<br />
telecommunications services in the UAE<br />
The Etisalat Group is actively<br />
working to strengthen the<br />
Etisalat Enterprise division,<br />
which aims to reaffirm its<br />
position as a pre-eminent<br />
telecommunications service provider in the<br />
UAE and beyond.<br />
The business-to-business (B2B) wing<br />
handles smaller entities, SMEs, large<br />
business accounts and government<br />
departments, with innovation at the<br />
core <strong>of</strong> its operations. Armed with teams<br />
for products and services, in addition to<br />
dedicated sales teams, the Enterprise<br />
Division is currently working on several new<br />
experiences that expand into cloud services,<br />
security, Internet <strong>of</strong> Things (IoT), as well<br />
as machine-to-machine (M2M) options,<br />
among other booming sectors.<br />
To date, Etisalat stands as a complete<br />
Information and Communication<br />
Technology (ICT) solutions provider<br />
and trusted outsourced partner. This is<br />
complemented by the Enterprise Division,<br />
which has helped the company emerge<br />
as a major player in the ICT space, and is<br />
expected to make significant contributions<br />
in terms <strong>of</strong> revenues in the near future.<br />
Etisalat is keen to provide solutions to<br />
customers in a pr<strong>of</strong>itable and competitive<br />
manner; a strategy geared to transform<br />
its product portfolio through project<br />
management and pr<strong>of</strong>essional services.<br />
Its position at the forefront <strong>of</strong> telecom<br />
technology in the region gives Etisalat<br />
a unique advantage to meet customers’<br />
present and future needs. Aside from core<br />
services such as fixed line mobility, it also<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers a slew <strong>of</strong> services and products that<br />
comprise the digital division. The company<br />
invests considerable energy to <strong>of</strong>fer an agile<br />
platform that customers can use for cloud<br />
and other systems.<br />
The telecom giant devises solutions to<br />
create secure environments, an interactive<br />
platform that allows easy access to<br />
digital channels (to send texts and enable<br />
payments, for instance), encourage the use<br />
<strong>of</strong> smart devices, and analyse relevant data.<br />
The endeavour is to create matchless M2M<br />
and IoT experiences for its clientele.<br />
As a first in the region, Etisalat recently<br />
conducted 5G live demos with super<br />
speeds <strong>of</strong> 5Gbps. With international<br />
standardisation <strong>of</strong> this technology nearing<br />
completion by 2017, commercial networks<br />
will be implemented in the year 2020.<br />
Similarly, Etisalat’s M2M technology will<br />
allow intelligent machines to communicate<br />
with each other via IP-based networks<br />
to automate the collection <strong>of</strong> essential<br />
data faster and accurately without human<br />
intervention. M2M SIMs would provide<br />
connectivity to a wide variety <strong>of</strong> solutions<br />
for businesses and communities alike.<br />
Etisalat’s continued spotlight on IoT is<br />
transforming the government’s vision <strong>of</strong><br />
Smart Dubai and other projects into reality.<br />
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)<br />
has already connected most traffic lights in<br />
the emirate to a central command centre.<br />
By using cameras and sensors, the timings<br />
<strong>of</strong> these lights can be controlled to guide<br />
the flow <strong>of</strong> traffic in real time, thereby<br />
easing congestion to a great degree. By<br />
2020, smart meters will replace energy<br />
meters.<br />
As robotics, augmented reality and<br />
automated retail gain wider traction in<br />
the UAE, Etisalat is taking the lead in<br />
implementing these technologies. Last<br />
year, the company launched the country’s<br />
first ‘Smart Mall’, an integrated technology<br />
eCommerce service that provides shoppers<br />
with an engaging shopping experience.<br />
The first Smart Mall was unveiled at Mall<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Emirates metro station that gives<br />
customers a chance to browse through<br />
products ad make purchases through a<br />
3D-enabled format. Aside from instant<br />
purchases with Etisalat’s novel payment<br />
solution, the Mobile Cashier, customers can<br />
also choose to have items delivered to their<br />
doorsteps.<br />
14 January 2017
Jumeirah Mina A’Salam Hotel - Dubai<br />
MAY 2017<br />
TELECOM LEADERS' SUMMIT<br />
2 0 1 7<br />
Meeting between Government Leaders and<br />
Telecommunications Industry CEOs<br />
BUILDING DIGITAL ECONOMIES<br />
For More Information:<br />
Telephone: +971 4 364 27 09, Mobile: +971 56 882 95 03<br />
Email: info@samenacouncil.org, www.samenacouncil.org
NEWS<br />
US to continue to assist India in<br />
development <strong>of</strong> ‘Smart Cities’ under Trump<br />
US <strong>of</strong>ficials have confirmed that they will<br />
continue to assist India in the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> ‘smart cities’ in the region under the<br />
administration <strong>of</strong> president elect Donald<br />
Trump. During the reign <strong>of</strong> Barack<br />
Obama, India and the US signed a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> memorandums <strong>of</strong> understanding which<br />
was aimed at specifically developing three<br />
‘smart cities’ in Allahabad, Ajmer and<br />
Visakhapatnam.<br />
Ashely O’Connor<br />
US <strong>of</strong>ficials agreed to help assist the<br />
cities in relation to a number <strong>of</strong> key areas<br />
such as project planning, infrastructure,<br />
development, feasibility studies and<br />
capacity building. There had been fears<br />
expressed among some leaders involved<br />
in the ‘Smart City’ movement in India, that<br />
the US would withdraw its support for the<br />
initiative – following the election <strong>of</strong> Donald<br />
Trump.<br />
However, it has been <strong>of</strong>ficially confirmed<br />
that the US will continue to work closely<br />
with Indian <strong>of</strong>ficials in relation to the ‘smart<br />
cities’ development.<br />
Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Commerce, Vinay Vijai Singh<br />
said initial discussions had taken place with<br />
a team <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials formed as part <strong>of</strong> Trump’s<br />
on-going transition into <strong>of</strong>fice – and he<br />
outlined some <strong>of</strong> the challenges that need<br />
to be urgently addressed in India.<br />
Singh said, “We have held initial discussions<br />
with the transition team (under new<br />
presidency). It is still early stages but we<br />
have shared our plans and they have been<br />
included. Indian cities should be enabled<br />
to have more autonomy. The mechanics<br />
between the centre and states in India<br />
need to be worked out. I know they are<br />
working hard at it, we had this ‘smart cities’<br />
competition and the money has gone to<br />
the states – then we go to the states and<br />
some states say we don’t have the money<br />
because these things haven’t been done.”<br />
Further concerns have been raised by some<br />
businesses who are already heavily involved<br />
in India’s smart cities projects. One <strong>of</strong> these<br />
companies is Region Business Line Leader,<br />
AECOM. Its vice president, Ashely O’Connor<br />
expressed her concerns and has appealed<br />
for clarification to be <strong>of</strong>fered on the smart<br />
cities project.<br />
She said, “In Visakhapatnam, in particular,<br />
there were talks <strong>of</strong> a new airport. It would<br />
need significant investment, so clarity<br />
around these, what is in works, and how<br />
they are working moving forward would be<br />
helpful for the business side.”<br />
Singh refuted suggestions that the US’s<br />
involvement in India’s smart cities project<br />
was politically motivated – and that the<br />
agenda was being driven by the US private<br />
sector which sees the region as a huge area<br />
for potential growth.<br />
Singh added, “We will continue to engage<br />
with all stakeholders. We will also work with<br />
multilateral institutions to help eliminate<br />
the initial risk involved in such projects.”<br />
Chief <strong>of</strong> Staff for the US Trade and<br />
Development Agency echoed the<br />
sentiments <strong>of</strong> Singh and declared the<br />
primary focus areas for the US in smart<br />
cities are in energy, telecom and the<br />
transportation sector.<br />
16 January 2017
EVENT<br />
MEET ICT and BITEX 2017 - <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
to be held under the patronage <strong>of</strong><br />
H.E. Eng. Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> transport and telecommunications<br />
Special Report<br />
Meet ICT Conference is being organized<br />
with multiple activities that will enhance<br />
that will enhance the experience <strong>of</strong> the<br />
participants and enable them to exchange<br />
knowledge and ideas on difference<br />
platforms.<br />
The conference will be held on February<br />
7-9 under the patronage <strong>of</strong> the Minister <strong>of</strong><br />
Transport and Communications Kamal bin<br />
Ahmed Mohammed.<br />
Imagine all the top business and ICT pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
in one venue, sharing knowledge<br />
and exchanging insights on what’s up and<br />
what’s new in the field.<br />
Digital transformation is happening<br />
everywhere, in every industry. Thus, this<br />
edition, the conference is much focused<br />
on the latest digital trends, technologies,<br />
and the cultural dynamics they bring to the<br />
business and inspire how to become more<br />
competitive in the digital economy.<br />
The conference will also include knowledge<br />
sharing, high level engagement, strategic<br />
debate and networking with key stakeholders<br />
and experts as they share insights and<br />
debate on major issues confronting the ICT<br />
Industry.<br />
The conference will be hosted by the<br />
high-caliber experts to share their outstanding<br />
knowledge in the following key<br />
topics:<br />
• Digital Transformation<br />
• Cloud Computing<br />
• Smart World<br />
• IT Security<br />
• Internet <strong>of</strong> Things<br />
• Big Data<br />
• The Future Enterprise<br />
This year’s event will have more than 30<br />
speakers from international and regional<br />
organizations and they are expected to<br />
present a wealth <strong>of</strong> knowledge and expertise<br />
in the various areas on ICT.<br />
With their wide range <strong>of</strong> expertise and<br />
experience, speakers will be able to answer<br />
all the queries that will be made by the<br />
attendees that will help enhance their skills.<br />
These speakers will be using their motivational<br />
abilities to deliver their message as<br />
they impart their experience as well to the<br />
participants.<br />
In an industry where convenience is key, we<br />
have developed a way for you to meet and<br />
interact with the people who matter most<br />
to your business.<br />
<strong>Bahrain</strong>’s position as the Middle East’s most<br />
liberal information and communications<br />
technology (ICT) market, along with<br />
January 2017<br />
17
excellent infrastructure, has encouraged<br />
many ICT companies to base their regional<br />
headquarters in <strong>Bahrain</strong>. As we all know,<br />
information and communications technology<br />
is emerging as one <strong>of</strong> the strongest<br />
tools in the world that help people in their<br />
everyday lives.<br />
BITEX, a technology exhibition held alongside<br />
with the MEET ICT Conference will<br />
bring all ICT companies under one ro<strong>of</strong> to<br />
display the latest trends in their field. It also<br />
aims to bring together the ICT community<br />
for business building as well as researching<br />
for more powerful solutions in the sector.<br />
Hence, the expo aims to strengthen innovative<br />
potentials and boost the process <strong>of</strong><br />
technical restoration <strong>of</strong> ICT industry.<br />
An excellent opportunity for companies,<br />
consulting and research organizations<br />
to display and demonstrate their activities<br />
and services related to the subject <strong>of</strong> ICT<br />
and other associated services. Exhibiting<br />
in BITEX provides an ideal opportunity<br />
to present your organization not only<br />
to the local customers but also an international<br />
target audience. Your participation<br />
will be highly acknowledged and you will<br />
enjoy multiple and attractive benefits.<br />
With the rising demands for Information<br />
Communication and Technology, this<br />
sourcing event will feature and showcase<br />
the following categories:<br />
• Mobile Accessories<br />
• IT Products and Solutions<br />
• Mobile Applications<br />
• IT Services<br />
• S<strong>of</strong>tware Development<br />
• Telecommunications<br />
• ICT Consultancy<br />
• Data Management and Storage<br />
• IT Security<br />
• eContent<br />
• Networking<br />
• System Automation & Robotics<br />
• Etc.<br />
BITEX aims to deliver fresh ideas, let you<br />
find the right solutions and make you updated<br />
on new trends and products:<br />
• Achieve the best experience <strong>of</strong> attending<br />
an expo and conference in one mega event<br />
• Meet the best exhibitors showing their<br />
newest products and services.<br />
• Be updated on the newest trends <strong>of</strong> the<br />
industry.<br />
• Converge with the experts face- to- face<br />
in a pr<strong>of</strong>essional atmosphere.<br />
This year’s Meet ICT and BITEX are backed<br />
by the top ICT & Telecommunications in<br />
<strong>Bahrain</strong> and the region:<br />
Ministry <strong>of</strong> Transportation and Telecommunications<br />
– Strategic Partner<br />
Huawei – Strategic Technology Partner<br />
C5 Accelerate – Strategic Innovation<br />
Partner<br />
Batelco <strong>Bahrain</strong> – Strategic ICT Partner<br />
Viva <strong>Bahrain</strong> – Official Telecom Partner<br />
Ericsson – Gold Sponsor<br />
SAP Saudi Arabia – Digital Transformation<br />
Partner<br />
Micros<strong>of</strong>t – Cloud Partner<br />
CTM 360 – Cyber Security Partner<br />
Computer World – Bronze Sponsor<br />
Almoayyed Computers – Bronze Sponsor<br />
Ahlia University – Bronze Sponsor<br />
Teletimes International – International<br />
Media Partner<br />
Thinksmart for Training and Development<br />
– Training Partner<br />
CIO Knowledge Club – Affiliated Partner<br />
Gulf Future Business – Affiliated Partner<br />
BTECH – Organizer<br />
Worksmart - Organizer<br />
Together, let’s experience the Smart World<br />
through Digital Transformation in MEETICT<br />
and BITEX 2017!!!<br />
Teletimes becomes ‘Meet ICT & BITEX’ International Media Partner<br />
<strong>Bahrain</strong> News Agency<br />
“WORKSMART” for Events Management<br />
said it has entered into a strategic<br />
partnership with Teletimes International, a<br />
publication focused on the telecom, ICT and<br />
satellite industry <strong>of</strong> the Middle East, Asia<br />
and Africa, to be an international media<br />
partner <strong>of</strong> seventh edition <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Information and Communication<br />
Technology (ICT) conference “MEET ICT”<br />
and the <strong>Bahrain</strong> International Technology<br />
Exhibition (BITEX).<br />
Worksmart CEO Ahmed Al Hujairi said<br />
that the partnership with Teletimes<br />
International aims to promote ‘Meet ICT’<br />
Conference and BITEX Exhibition at the<br />
international level, which will increase the<br />
operations <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Bahrain</strong>i companies<br />
participating in the expo and contribute<br />
to attracting more regional and<br />
international companies to <strong>Bahrain</strong>.<br />
Ahmed Al Hujairy<br />
Group CEO, WorkSmart for Events<br />
Management - <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
“I can say that after seven years <strong>of</strong> holding<br />
MEET ICT Conference and BITEX Exhibition<br />
in <strong>Bahrain</strong>, we are on threshold <strong>of</strong> a new<br />
phase <strong>of</strong> growth at the regional and<br />
international levels, which will support<br />
the efforts <strong>of</strong> the government which has<br />
placed the information and communication<br />
technology sector at the top <strong>of</strong> sectors<br />
that are capable <strong>of</strong> enhancing growth and<br />
boosting the national economy,” he said.<br />
Teletimes Chief Editor, Khalid Athar said:<br />
“<strong>Bahrain</strong> is a key market for the industry<br />
and for many <strong>of</strong> our readers. The country<br />
holds great importance as one <strong>of</strong> the fastest<br />
growing technology markets that is home<br />
to many service & solution providers.<br />
As the International Media Partner,<br />
Teletimes will be glad to provide due<br />
coverage to this gathering for pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
in the industry.”<br />
18 January 2017
INTERVIEW<br />
C5 provides a highly<br />
tailored programme in the<br />
form <strong>of</strong> Cloud10<br />
Hadyah Fathalla<br />
Executive Director, C5 Accelerate<br />
Teletimes Interview<br />
Q: Please talk about the vision behind the<br />
start-up accelerator – why Cloud services?<br />
A: C5’s Scale-up accelerator or Scalerator<br />
is a programme that takes young dynamic<br />
tech post revenue start-ups across MENA<br />
and scales their business using AWS<br />
cloud and international mentors. Cloud<br />
services drive real business advantage and<br />
differentiation in the current digital market.<br />
Q: What are the benefits for start-ups to<br />
get involved with C5 and how can they<br />
apply to participate?<br />
A: C5 provides a highly tailored programme<br />
in the form <strong>of</strong> Cloud10 that provides a<br />
unique integrative and bespoke approach<br />
to honing business skills and competencies<br />
while upskilling companies to leverage cloud<br />
computing . The AWS technical support,<br />
C5’s open door policy and access to senior<br />
executives, the international mentorship<br />
network, and international field-trips deliver<br />
a unique and highly dynamic learning and<br />
growth experience. It is a very different<br />
approach and unlike many <strong>of</strong> the other<br />
accelerator programs in the region.<br />
• Applicants can apply via Tamkeen through<br />
the below link or by contacting the us at C5<br />
in <strong>Bahrain</strong> directly: http://www.tamkeen.bh/<br />
en/pss/?p=C5#.WHJP3lN97IV<br />
Q: How are Cloud services impacting the<br />
business environment, especially in this<br />
region, and how will they evolve how we<br />
do business over the coming years?<br />
A: Many organisations in the GCC have<br />
The <strong>Bahrain</strong>i<br />
government strategically<br />
is also adopting a<br />
“Cloud First” policy and<br />
looking at migrating all<br />
government data to the<br />
cloud while AWS is also<br />
exploring geographic<br />
expansion in the region”<br />
already moved to the Cloud for lower cost<br />
<strong>of</strong> operations, faster time to market with<br />
product / services, operational agility,<br />
and innovation among other benefits.<br />
The <strong>Bahrain</strong>i government strategically is<br />
also adopting a “Cloud First” policy and<br />
looking at migrating all government data<br />
to the cloud while AWS is also exploring<br />
geographic expansion in the region. There<br />
are all signs <strong>of</strong> things to come.<br />
Q: Are any <strong>of</strong> the start-ups allied with<br />
C5 working on Cloud Security as we are<br />
currently seeing a huge demand for it?<br />
A: Yes, we have IPIFI, <strong>Bahrain</strong>i based ip<br />
threat detection, plus Drie – a UK based<br />
major AWS Cloud security player.<br />
Q: Please tell us about some <strong>of</strong> your<br />
major partners?<br />
A: Our main strategic Cloud10 partners are<br />
Tamkeen, EDB, and AWS but we also have<br />
a very strong working relationship and are<br />
development exciting collaborations with<br />
key players like BDB, leading universities like<br />
UoB and Polytechnic, and also with industry<br />
leaders like Batelco.<br />
Q: What are you looking forward to at this<br />
year’s BITEX and MEETICT? What do you<br />
plan to achieve during the event?<br />
A: Drive greater awareness <strong>of</strong> C5 and<br />
Cloud10 business in MENA region.<br />
• Network with industry leaders and<br />
potential future partners.<br />
• Pipeline for our Cloud10 programme.<br />
January 2017<br />
19
INTERVIEW<br />
This year we expect to see integration<br />
with key players in the industry<br />
Eng. Muna Al Hashemi<br />
CEO - Batelco <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
Teletimes Interview<br />
Q: Amongst the many challenges this<br />
industry is facing, how was the year<br />
2016 for Batelco, and what are your<br />
expectations for 2017?<br />
A: 2016 has been a very successful year<br />
for Batelco, with the inclusion <strong>of</strong> new<br />
certifications and partnerships coupled<br />
with product and service launches. During<br />
the year, Batelco successfully launched<br />
the most advanced 4G+ digital network in<br />
<strong>Bahrain</strong> with super-fast speeds. In 2016 we<br />
became <strong>of</strong>ficially certified by Avaya as a<br />
Platinum Certified Partner, in recognition <strong>of</strong><br />
our commitment, investment, experience<br />
and dedication to customer satisfaction.<br />
Additionally, we also launched WiFi and<br />
were the only telecom to <strong>of</strong>fer superfast<br />
500Mbps fibre internet with the highest<br />
thresholds. Furthermore, in 2016 Batelco<br />
signed a memorandum <strong>of</strong> understanding<br />
for 5G with Ericsson to drive innovation and<br />
early loT applications on 5G mobile network<br />
technology.<br />
In 2017 we expect to see integration<br />
with key players in the industry such as<br />
20 January 2017
etail, automotive or healthcare. The<br />
consumer oriented things that comprise<br />
IoT will in large part consist <strong>of</strong> wearables,<br />
smartphones, connected cars and smart<br />
homes. We also expect to find new<br />
opportunities for growth in the public<br />
sector, as smart cities gain more traction.<br />
We expect that the consumer demand for<br />
digital technologies that make it easier to<br />
access and pay for public services using<br />
mobile devices will continue to drive these<br />
initiatives.<br />
Q: In many situations today, people tend<br />
to prefer messaging over voice calls –<br />
how will that impact telecom operators<br />
and how are you evolving your business<br />
models to adapt to this?<br />
Key elements <strong>of</strong><br />
our focus include<br />
enabling the <strong>Kingdom</strong><br />
to be digitally<br />
enabled in line with<br />
the global trend”<br />
A: This is a natural change in customer<br />
behaviour and Telecoms need to adapt.<br />
In Batelco we will continue to invest in<br />
improving the Broadband infrastructure<br />
to ensure the best quality and to allow<br />
customers to enjoy their life style.<br />
Q: Is Batelco currently involved in any<br />
Smart City initiatives in the country?<br />
A: Yes and in collaboration with major<br />
technology providers Batelco has<br />
demonstrated a range <strong>of</strong> Smart Solutions.<br />
The leading companies are partnered<br />
to demonstrate a variety <strong>of</strong> Cloud and<br />
Sustainability solutions with the range<br />
<strong>of</strong> advanced technologies designed to<br />
enable the development <strong>of</strong> the Networked<br />
Society’s smart cities.<br />
The technologies showcase how<br />
life experiences in a smart city are<br />
enhanced through more connectivity,<br />
with a particular focus on working life,<br />
city life and home life, allowing citizens<br />
to live and work in more sustainable<br />
societies. Among the solutions is Connected<br />
Print along with smart solutions for homes<br />
and hospitals.<br />
Q: The IoT market is set to grow<br />
exponentially into a multi-trillion dollar<br />
market – are you currently working on any<br />
IoT applications or initiatives?<br />
A: Batelco, the <strong>Kingdom</strong>’s leading<br />
digital solutions provider has launched<br />
a cutting edge IoT (Internet <strong>of</strong> Things)<br />
Connected Vehicle Solution to support<br />
the requirements <strong>of</strong> the education and<br />
transportation sectors.<br />
The solution is aimed at equipping vehicles,<br />
such as school buses, with cameras,<br />
sensors, GPS tracker, sound level detector<br />
and object count and furthermore the<br />
solution is self-powered through the use <strong>of</strong><br />
solar panels.<br />
Q: Where do you see the Batelco Group<br />
in the coming years and how do you see<br />
Batelco <strong>Bahrain</strong>’s contribution to the<br />
group in the future?<br />
A: With a core strategy focused on elevating<br />
communication standards and digital<br />
solutions in the <strong>Kingdom</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Bahrain</strong>;<br />
Batelco is paving the way for the evolution<br />
<strong>of</strong> the industry keeping abreast with the<br />
latest global trends. Our core strategy<br />
centres on our continuous efforts towards<br />
superior customer centricity by transforming<br />
digital lifestyles. Batelco has played<br />
a pivotal role in the country’s development<br />
as a major communications hub and<br />
today we are the leading digital<br />
communications’ provider, continuing<br />
to lead and shape the consumer and<br />
enterprise market.<br />
Q: Would you like to elaborate on the<br />
BITEX theme “Smart World through Digital<br />
Transformation” for this year and how<br />
it translates into Batelco’s strategy?<br />
A: The ongoing evolution <strong>of</strong> the industry inspires<br />
us to continuously change our mindset<br />
and business strategy. Key elements <strong>of</strong><br />
our focus include enabling the <strong>Kingdom</strong> to<br />
be digitally enabled in line with the<br />
global trend.<br />
January 2017<br />
21
NEWS<br />
STC announced 4th<br />
quarter financial<br />
results<br />
Consolidated revenue for the year<br />
increased 2.4% compared to last<br />
year, with increased contribution<br />
from the Enterprise sector<br />
Dr. Khaled H. Biyari, CEO - STC Group<br />
STC has announced the company’s<br />
preliminary financial results for the period<br />
ending at 31 December 2016<br />
• Revenues from domestic operations<br />
during the year grew 2.4% compared to last<br />
year<br />
• Consolidated revenues for the year<br />
reached SR 51,845m, an increase <strong>of</strong> 2.4%<br />
compared to last year<br />
• Bundled services customer base during<br />
the 4th quarter increased 19% compared to<br />
the same quarter last year, and an increase<br />
<strong>of</strong> 11% compared to the immediate prior<br />
quarter<br />
• Enterprise business unit overall revenues<br />
increased approximately 19% during the<br />
4th quarter compared to the same quarter<br />
last year<br />
In accordance with the approved dividend<br />
policy for three years starting from the 4th<br />
quarter 2015 which was announced on 11<br />
November 2015, and have been ratified<br />
during the General Assembly Meeting on<br />
April 4th 2016, STC will distribute a total<br />
<strong>of</strong> SR 2,000 million in cash dividend for Q4<br />
2016, representing SR 1 per share.<br />
Commenting on the results, STC Group<br />
CEO, Dr. Khaled H. Biyari, stated: stated:<br />
“The 2.4% increase in Consolidated revenue<br />
for the 12 months period compared to<br />
last year, confirms that STC strategy is<br />
working well despite all the challenges and<br />
circumstances facing the communications<br />
sector and overall economic conditions.<br />
While, the decline in Net Pr<strong>of</strong>it for the 12<br />
months period is mainly attributed to the<br />
increase in cost <strong>of</strong> services during the period<br />
which included significant costs resulting<br />
from the fingerprint authentication process<br />
for millions <strong>of</strong> customers and documented<br />
among relevant government agencies<br />
during the first half <strong>of</strong> the year, and due to<br />
STC investments in s<strong>of</strong>tware’s and systems<br />
related to cloud computing and managed<br />
data services mainly during the 1st half.<br />
Also, during the twelve months period, STC<br />
invested in programs and initiatives that will<br />
have positive outcomes in the near future,<br />
such as Early retirement program. I would<br />
like to stress that the company will continue<br />
its investment in advanced networks and<br />
new technologies in order to reach the<br />
highest levels <strong>of</strong> customer satisfaction and<br />
enrich our customers’ experience.”<br />
Dr. Biyari also stated “that STC vision for<br />
the year 2020 is to transform to a digital<br />
company that provide innovative services to<br />
its customers. The country is now living the<br />
beginning <strong>of</strong> transformation to the digital<br />
economy, and the company is capable to<br />
work with all government sectors and the<br />
private sector towards the dissemination <strong>of</strong><br />
broadband services and the corresponding<br />
platforms like cloud computing platforms<br />
and the Internet <strong>of</strong> things as per NTP<br />
2020 and 2030 <strong>Kingdom</strong> vision. Assuring<br />
the current need for high speed data<br />
services, especially fiber optic networksupported,<br />
so that the period ahead for<br />
the telecommunications world will see<br />
overlaps with many sectors, for example in<br />
health and education sectors to enhance<br />
the efficiency <strong>of</strong> the services provided to<br />
clients.”<br />
Domestically, STC’s continues with the<br />
deployment <strong>of</strong> 4G network in all districts <strong>of</strong><br />
the country, and continued with deploying<br />
the fiber optic network in the country to<br />
serve the business sector. In addition,<br />
bundled services customer base during the<br />
4th quarter increased 19% compared to the<br />
same period last year, and 11% compared to<br />
the immediate prior quarter.<br />
Enterprise business unit overall revenues<br />
increased approximately 19% during the<br />
4th quarter compared to the same period<br />
last year, driven mainly by the 16% increase<br />
in Business sector data services revenues<br />
compared to same period last year, and also<br />
due to the <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> cloud computing &<br />
managed data services which started during<br />
the year.<br />
22 January 2017
INTERVIEW<br />
2016 has been<br />
a year <strong>of</strong> great<br />
transformation<br />
Liu Dianfeng<br />
CEO - CMPak Ltd.<br />
(A China Mobile company)<br />
Interview - Gulraiz Khalid<br />
Mr. Liu Dianfeng graduated from Harbin Engineering University in 1991 with a Bachelors <strong>of</strong> Science in Navigation Engineering,<br />
completing a Masters in Acoustics from Chinese Academy <strong>of</strong> Sciences in 1996 & completing his EMBA in 2007 from Cheung Kong<br />
graduate school <strong>of</strong> business.<br />
Mr. Liu has an extensive experience working at China Mobiles spanning over 17 years holding multiple leadership positions <strong>of</strong> Chief<br />
Technical Officer & Chief Commercial <strong>of</strong>ficer Beijing Company, Chairman <strong>of</strong> Labor Union & chief Commercial Officer at Jilin Company.<br />
He also has a diverse experience starting up his own business at China. His primary focus has been on network planning and online<br />
education. Mr. Liu was appointed as Chairman & CEO <strong>of</strong> China Mobiles Pakistan in October 2014.<br />
Q: To begin with, how do you think Zong<br />
has evolved into a leading operator in<br />
Pakistan?<br />
A: I think technology has the real advantage<br />
here, we have been able to capitalize on the<br />
latest 4G technology evolving in Pakistan<br />
very successfully. We have the largest, best<br />
quality 4G network coverage in Pakistan<br />
with the largest 4G subscriber base, and we<br />
will continue to increase our base with more<br />
and more network sites, more than 5,000<br />
by the end <strong>of</strong> 2016 and be able to provide<br />
our services to more and more cities <strong>of</strong> this<br />
country. Our 4G is unbeatable in quality,<br />
service and coverage.<br />
Q: Would you like to comment specifically<br />
on the performance <strong>of</strong> Zong throughout<br />
2016?<br />
A: 2016 has been a year <strong>of</strong> great<br />
transformation, particularly from our voice<br />
to our data services. Our 4G has yielded<br />
incredible terrific results for us and we<br />
January 2017<br />
23
If the telco market doesn’t get engaged in IoT<br />
now in Pakistan, it will be too late, but I am<br />
happy to see that the market is responding to a<br />
strong IoT demand in Pakistan, which is a very<br />
positive sign”<br />
have seen phenomenal growth in our data<br />
services demand, which is a sign that our<br />
customers are happy with our services. At<br />
this point, we have our 4G in more than<br />
250 cities in Pakistan. Having said this, we<br />
are looking forward to a better 2017, with<br />
more sites, more investment in our network<br />
and more solution related services for our<br />
customers across the nation.<br />
Q: How has the market responded in your<br />
opinion to the introduction <strong>of</strong> LTE 4G?<br />
A: Market response actually depends<br />
on many factors, for example, quality,<br />
coverage, speed and most importantly<br />
price. We have been rated the best quality<br />
network by PTA, we have the best coverage,<br />
the fastest 4G speed & highest number <strong>of</strong><br />
4G sites and most <strong>of</strong> all, affordability. We<br />
think our products and our prices are the<br />
most affordable in the market. Considering<br />
all this, our customers have reacted to our<br />
4G services in a very positive way.<br />
Q: After the acquisition <strong>of</strong> Warid by<br />
Mobilink and 4G spectrum by Telenor, will<br />
there be any changes to Zong’s strategy<br />
moving forward?<br />
A: Our strategy has always been to provide<br />
the best services to our customers through<br />
a more stable and reliable network and we<br />
will continue to focus on how we can<br />
24 January 2017
continue to improve in this area. One area<br />
we will focus more in the future is how we<br />
can provide more solutions to different<br />
industries <strong>of</strong> Pakistan through our 4G<br />
network. Infact, we want the 4G market to<br />
Our 4G is unbeatable<br />
in quality, service<br />
and coverage.<br />
develop in Pakistan, and we are happy that<br />
this merger will be an enabler for the 4G<br />
market to develop faster in the nation and<br />
continue to contribute to the 4G ecosystem<br />
in the industry. We are very open to a<br />
healthy and fair competition in business, so<br />
we take this in a very positive way.<br />
Q: When and how do you see a future <strong>of</strong><br />
IoT in Pakistan?<br />
A: The answer to when is “now”. If the telco<br />
market doesn’t get engaged in IoT now in<br />
Pakistan, it will be too late, but I am happy<br />
to see that the market is responding to a<br />
strong IoT demand in Pakistan, which is a<br />
very positive sign. I hope all operators build<br />
this market together in Pakistan to benefit<br />
the local people & to introduce more and<br />
more solutions. Infact, advancement <strong>of</strong> IoT<br />
will help benefit the corporate sector and<br />
the government more than a single user.<br />
Exchange <strong>of</strong> information and smart data<br />
analytics can be a really strong tool for any<br />
country in its journey towards prosperity<br />
and progression. Zong will be a strong<br />
enabler in this area.<br />
Q: Do you think our networks will be<br />
able to support an IoT ecosystem? (It is<br />
predicted that an average autonomous<br />
vehicle will need 4000GB per day by 2020)<br />
A: It’s a long journey and it will take time but<br />
the market is reacting stronger and stronger<br />
in this area every year, especially after the<br />
4G launch in the country. Awareness to the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> data and IoT is becoming<br />
more and more essential as Pakistani<br />
markets compete in the international world.<br />
Some sections <strong>of</strong> this ecosystem are very<br />
visible, but some areas are still upcoming,<br />
for example, 4G handsets market share in<br />
the country is very low. Government itself<br />
needs to play a stronger role in developing<br />
One area we will focus more in the future is<br />
how we can provide more solutions to different<br />
industries <strong>of</strong> Pakistan through our 4G network”<br />
this ecosystem by introducing more flexible<br />
policies, especially on the taxation side.<br />
Q: Given your experience, what will be the<br />
key success factors for Mobile operators in<br />
Pakistan and beyond?<br />
A: I think 3 things are very important: 1- The<br />
financial stability <strong>of</strong> the market itself in<br />
terms <strong>of</strong> a reasonable tariff 2- 4G market<br />
development and its contributors, meaning<br />
the 4G handsets availability in the system.<br />
3- The ecosystem, meaning that voice and<br />
data are very different to each other. Voice<br />
is voice and has linear dimension, but data<br />
is very different and has many different<br />
dimensions. Understanding <strong>of</strong> data, its<br />
content, its application and its products are<br />
very different to that <strong>of</strong> voice, so the overall<br />
ecosystem to support data applications and<br />
products must be very strong.<br />
All 3 <strong>of</strong> these things are extremely<br />
important, because the market is changing<br />
significantly. We can have the best 4G<br />
network, but if the users don’t have a 4G<br />
handset, it’s a challenge for the operator<br />
to sell its services. On the other hand,<br />
commercial tariff for mobile data and voice<br />
is one <strong>of</strong> the lowest in Pakistan with the<br />
highest taxation and the overall ecosystem<br />
is still in development phase. This balance<br />
needs to be adjusted for the market to<br />
recapitalize again.<br />
Q: Would you like to comment or make<br />
any suggestions on the current policy<br />
framework with respect to regulation and<br />
spectrum issues etc.?<br />
A: It’s a good and positive step, and if<br />
implemented correctly, it will benefit all<br />
mobile operators in the long run. At the<br />
same time, it does need more work to be<br />
able to solve some specific challenges the<br />
industry is facing.<br />
January 2017<br />
25
EVENT<br />
Huawei secures top spot at Etisalat<br />
Strategic Suppliers Awards<br />
Huawei has been honored with the “Best<br />
Strategic Supplier Award” by Etisalat<br />
UAE. Huawei secured the top spot at the<br />
inaugural Etisalat Strategic Suppliers<br />
Conference. The event successfully<br />
promoted better understanding and mutual<br />
benefit within the ICT ecosystem, while<br />
recognizing the key telecom suppliers in the<br />
region.<br />
“Needless to say, this is a proud moment<br />
for the entire Middle East team,” explained<br />
Poundss Peng, President <strong>of</strong> Etisalat Global<br />
Key Account, Huawei ME. “Ranked number<br />
one in 2015, based on a comprehensive<br />
evaluation, this is the direct result <strong>of</strong> the<br />
close partnership between Etisalat and<br />
Huawei over the years, and the hard work<br />
from both teams.”<br />
Huawei and Etisalat have worked together<br />
to outline the carrier’s future network<br />
framework architecture vision and<br />
produce a five year roadmap to achieve<br />
end goals. Future network and operation<br />
plans, that will enable the various national<br />
visions <strong>of</strong> the region, will see Etisalat <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
personalized and seamless user experience<br />
and services over the next decade.<br />
In order to determine the winner <strong>of</strong> the<br />
‘Best Strategy Supplier’, Etisalat evaluated<br />
suppliers on several crucial sets <strong>of</strong> criteria,<br />
like quality and performance <strong>of</strong> work;<br />
overall cost competitiveness and added<br />
value; how they approached innovation and<br />
partnership; and capability to follow clause<br />
compliance.<br />
neXgen and Huawei Join<br />
For years now, Etisalat and Huawei<br />
have worked together on leading<br />
projects that span beyond the building<br />
<strong>of</strong> crucial ICT infrastructure in the region.<br />
Just this year Etisalat and Huawei partnered<br />
up to successfully trial 10Gbps service<br />
that will enable users to experience<br />
the fastest broadband speed available<br />
in the region today; one <strong>of</strong> several key<br />
projects.<br />
Under the current partnership framework,<br />
Huawei is committed to collaborating<br />
with Etisalat on launching innovative<br />
technologies and services.<br />
26 January 2017
NEWS<br />
Huawei promotes quality and<br />
safety in the <strong>Kingdom</strong><br />
In line with the Saudi Vision 2030 goal<br />
to embrace responsible businesses,<br />
adapt a comprehensive list <strong>of</strong> standards<br />
and guidance, regulating an array <strong>of</strong><br />
environmental and safety challenges,<br />
Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia<br />
recently held an Environment, Health and<br />
Safety (EHS) workshop for its employees,<br />
partners and suppliers in the <strong>Kingdom</strong> as<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the global ICT leader’s commitment<br />
to safety and quality.<br />
Aimed at highlighting best practice in<br />
EHS, the one-day event was attended<br />
by a number <strong>of</strong> Huawei partners in Saudi<br />
Arabia including Consulting Engineering<br />
Group (CEG) KSA, Al Rashed Comatec,<br />
Zamil Steel Holding, waseela, Mobiserve<br />
Co. Ltd. and Gulf Business Horizons etc.<br />
The workshop was also attended by Huawei<br />
staff including senior executives. As part <strong>of</strong><br />
its commitment to following the highest<br />
standards in safety and quality throughout<br />
all its operations, the company also<br />
launched the Huawei Saudi EHS Operation<br />
Incentive Award, which aims to recognize<br />
and encourage safe and responsible<br />
practices amongst employees and partners<br />
within the <strong>Kingdom</strong>.<br />
“As a global leader in the ICT industry,<br />
Huawei is committed to conducting<br />
its business responsibly, placing great<br />
emphasis on the adherence <strong>of</strong> both local<br />
and global policies among staff, partners<br />
and suppliers,” explained Charles Yang,<br />
President <strong>of</strong> Huawei Middle East, who<br />
also attended and spoke at the workshop.<br />
“With over 1,000 Huawei employees and<br />
almost 100 partners working across several<br />
KSA projects, EHS standards top Huawei’s<br />
priorities to ensure the successful delivery <strong>of</strong><br />
all its projects”.<br />
Accompanied by a number <strong>of</strong> senior staff<br />
members from Huawei and partners,<br />
Charles Yang inspected different work sites,<br />
to ensure full compliance to EHS standards<br />
in all locations.<br />
Forces to Make Region’s Cities Smarter<br />
Huawei has joined forces with neXgen<br />
Group, to meet the ever-increasing<br />
demand for Smart City technology in<br />
the region. Enabled though its strategic<br />
partnership with Zain Group, neXgen is<br />
the trusted advisor and managed service<br />
provider to some <strong>of</strong> the most forwardthinking<br />
governments and enterprises<br />
worldwide.<br />
The strategic alliance agreement was<br />
signed between Terry He, President,<br />
Enterprise Business Group, Huawei Middle<br />
East, and Ghazi Atallah, CEO <strong>of</strong> neXgen<br />
Group - in the presence <strong>of</strong> Zain Group CEO<br />
Scott Gegenheimer, and Huawei Middle<br />
East President, Charles Yang.<br />
Both Huawei and neXgen will cooperate<br />
in the Smart City Go-to-Market (GTM)<br />
across the region with emphasis on<br />
markets within Zain’s footprint.<br />
The collaboration covers the design,<br />
release and marketing <strong>of</strong> joint Smart City<br />
solutions for smart districts and logistics,<br />
smart safety and security, and smart<br />
healthcare services. The agreement also<br />
covers cooperation in Smart Internet <strong>of</strong><br />
things (IoT), and Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT)<br />
technologies. “This strategic collaboration<br />
with Huawei, will bring readily deployable<br />
solutions for Smart Cities and Districts,<br />
enabling our clients across the region to<br />
leverage these innovative services in their<br />
digital transformation journey. Delivering<br />
simple and effective services to our<br />
customers from our industry collaboration<br />
efforts is always our overarching goal.” said<br />
Ghazi Atallah, CEO <strong>of</strong> neXgen Group.<br />
“This partnership is in line with our<br />
strategy to build an ecosystem that<br />
involves various industry players to<br />
enable an open, better connected world.<br />
This alliance allows us to capitalize on<br />
neXgen’s regional presence and<br />
know-how while addressing the evergrowing<br />
appetite for smart city solutions<br />
in Middle East,” said Mohamad Sharara,<br />
President <strong>of</strong> Zain Key Account Dept,<br />
Huawei ME.<br />
January 2017<br />
27
NEWS<br />
HUAWEI<br />
Consumer Business<br />
Group announces<br />
strong 2016<br />
performance<br />
Huawei Consumer Business Group<br />
(CBG) revealed its expected 2016 annual<br />
performance figures indicating a 42 per<br />
cent increase when compared to 2015. With<br />
anticipated sales revenue <strong>of</strong> USD $26 billion<br />
Huawei CBG is showing steady growth for<br />
the fifth consecutive year. Additionally,<br />
smartphone shipments reached 139 million<br />
units presenting a year-on-year growth <strong>of</strong><br />
29 percent. According to IDC, the increasing<br />
rate <strong>of</strong> global smartphone shipments was<br />
only 0.6% in 2016, which means Huawei has<br />
outperformed the overall market.<br />
Mr. Richard Yu, Chief Operating Officer<br />
<strong>of</strong> Huawei CBG commented on the<br />
results saying, “Despite tough market<br />
conditions Huawei CBG is still growing<br />
at industry-leading speed. We believe<br />
our success is a direct result <strong>of</strong> our<br />
consumer and innovation-centric approach,<br />
as well as our ongoing commitment<br />
to building a premium brand. As we<br />
reinforce our global channels and ensure<br />
consistent, high-quality service, we make<br />
our devices accessible and reliable for all<br />
Huawei users.”<br />
When speaking on Huawei’s plans for the<br />
coming year, Yu said: “In 2017, we plan to<br />
strengthen our supply chain, channels,<br />
R&D efforts, our after-sales services. We<br />
will also work to fortify any other areas<br />
and to streamline our operations, improve<br />
the efficiency <strong>of</strong> our decision-making,<br />
drive our internationalization strategy and<br />
proactively develop future capacity.”<br />
Whereas the global smartphone industry<br />
is witnessing a slowdown and fewer<br />
innovations introduced to the market,<br />
Huawei CBG is building product leadership<br />
and pioneering ground-breaking<br />
developments in key technology areas. In<br />
2016, Huawei CBG focused on developing<br />
meaningful innovations and made<br />
breakthroughs in the areas <strong>of</strong> operating<br />
systems (EMUI based on Android), dual-lens<br />
camera technology, artificial intelligence<br />
and more.<br />
For years Android users have been let down<br />
by their devices as performance declined<br />
over time. Huawei set out to solve this<br />
and with their s<strong>of</strong>tware R&D team led<br />
by world-class Linux pr<strong>of</strong>essionals- they<br />
conducted in-depth optimization research<br />
on the Android system. Based on their<br />
findings, Huawei unveiled EMUI 5.0 – their<br />
latest operating system s<strong>of</strong>tware that is<br />
deeply integrated with the Kirin chipset and<br />
contains 20 Huawei patented technologies<br />
2016 also saw the introduction <strong>of</strong> Huawei’s<br />
first dual-lens camera technology<br />
featured on a flagship device. These were<br />
designed in conjunction with industry<br />
expert Leica Camera AG and by the end<br />
<strong>of</strong> the year Huawei had developed two<br />
generations <strong>of</strong> dual-camera technology.<br />
This not only set the industry ablaze and<br />
established new benchmarks for image<br />
quality but also, it made the Huawei P9 and<br />
Mate 9 very popular amongst consumers.<br />
In September 2016, Huawei also founded<br />
the Max Berek Innovation Lab alongside<br />
Leica Camera AG. This center will see<br />
joint research and development efforts<br />
in the fields <strong>of</strong> optical systems, imaging<br />
algorithms, virtual and augmented reality.<br />
With these technological advancements,<br />
Huawei’s flagship products such as the<br />
P9 and Mate 9 have achieved global<br />
recognition. Huawei P9 and P9 Plus global<br />
shipments exceeded 10 million units,<br />
making them the first Huawei flagship<br />
handsets to break 10 million sales. The<br />
Huawei Mate 9 series, shortly after<br />
launching in November 2016, faced a supply<br />
shortage due to overwhelming demand<br />
and its sales in the first two months were 50<br />
percent higher than those <strong>of</strong> Mate 8 for the<br />
same period.<br />
In 2017, Huawei CBG will continue to put<br />
consumer needs first and will develop<br />
a consumer-facing system focused on<br />
channels, retail, brand, marketing and<br />
services, to strengthen its business<br />
base and streamline its operations and<br />
customer service. In the meantime,<br />
Huawei is committed to making further<br />
breakthroughs in innovation that will<br />
help consumers have a more intelligent,<br />
connected lifestyle. We will continue<br />
building on our core competencies to lead<br />
the future and become a popular cultural<br />
and technical brand for consumers.<br />
28 January 2017
NEWS<br />
The Levant’s rising Digital Economy creates<br />
new opportunities for tech entrepreneurs<br />
Startups are vital in driving the Digital<br />
Economy and job creation for technology<br />
talents. SAP has announced at the Start-up<br />
Focus Event in Amman, hosted by startup<br />
enabler and technology company SAP<br />
and supported by Zain Innovation Campus<br />
(ZINC) and USAID West Bank and Gaza<br />
through its Compete Project.<br />
Technology is a cornerstone <strong>of</strong> diversified<br />
economic growth for both countries, with<br />
their national development plans calling on<br />
leveraging technology to drive job creation<br />
for highly-educated entrepreneurs. Jordan’s<br />
National ICT Strategy aims to increase ICT<br />
investment to USD 450 million, increase ICT<br />
revenues to USD3 billion, and create more<br />
than 4,000 jobs by 2017.<br />
Startup Focus, which was launched in<br />
the Middle East in 2015, is now helping<br />
eligible Jordanian and Palestinian startups,<br />
whose product ideas are based on<br />
Big Data, predictive or real-time analytics<br />
solutions, to accelerate the development <strong>of</strong><br />
their solutions, and assist in bringing their<br />
solutions to market.<br />
“Tech startups can drive Jordanian and<br />
Palestinian diversified economies, and Zain<br />
is committed to joining forces with global<br />
and local partners to activate and ignite the<br />
Levant’s startup ecosystem. By providing<br />
innovative entrepreneurs with hands-on<br />
mentorship and guidance, we aim to make<br />
their startups pr<strong>of</strong>itable, change daily lives<br />
and businesses, and drive the region’s<br />
Digital Economy,” said Ahmed Hanandeh,<br />
CEO, Zain Jordan.<br />
Jordan’s National<br />
ICT Strategy aims to<br />
increase ICT investment<br />
to USD 450 million,<br />
increase ICT revenues to<br />
US $ 3 billion, and create<br />
more than 4,000 jobs by<br />
2017.<br />
“Emphasizing that entrepreneurship is<br />
<strong>of</strong> paramount importance to the regional<br />
economy and society, USAID is pleased<br />
to support initiatives like SAP Startup<br />
Focus, which drive the creation <strong>of</strong> an<br />
entrepreneurial eco-system in the West<br />
Bank and Gaza and beyond,” stated<br />
Jonathan Kamin, Acting Mission Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> USAID West Bank and Gaza. “This<br />
partnership is integrated with USAID’s<br />
objective to develop and enhance the<br />
Palestinian ICT sector by helping Palestinian<br />
companies grow and increase their<br />
competitiveness, thereby enabling them<br />
to enter regional and international markets<br />
and attract global investment.”<br />
Selected Palestinian and Jordanian startups<br />
now have the chance to develop their<br />
solutions on the SAP HANA real-time<br />
analytics platform, receive free support<br />
from technical experts to help them bring<br />
their ideas to life and make the best use <strong>of</strong><br />
the SAP HANA cloud platform. Participating<br />
start-ups have access to a community<br />
network <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs, partners,<br />
investors, thought leaders and industry<br />
experts. Once validated, start-ups can pitch<br />
to SAP’s ecosystem <strong>of</strong> more than 335,000<br />
customers worldwide.<br />
“Jordanian and Palestinian entrepreneurs<br />
are among the best and brightest in<br />
the region, and SAP’s Training and<br />
Development Institute has seen strong<br />
success in developing youth in the<br />
ICT sector. Now we are advancing our<br />
commitment to digital transformation and<br />
upskilling local talent by helping to bring<br />
the most game-changing local Big Data<br />
analytics solutions to a global marketplace,”<br />
said Marita Mitschein, Senior Vice President<br />
and Managing Director, SAP Training and<br />
Development Institute.<br />
Worldwide, Startup Focus has engaged<br />
with more than 3,750 start-ups across 59<br />
countries and 22 industries, bringing more<br />
than 225 <strong>of</strong> their validated solutions to<br />
market since 2013.<br />
January 2017<br />
29
INTERVIEW<br />
Qualcomm<br />
has always been the leader in<br />
pioneering next generation technology<br />
Jay Srage<br />
President, MEA & Southeast Asia - Qualcomm<br />
Interview - Gulraiz Khalid<br />
Jay Srage: Would you like to tell our<br />
readers about the history <strong>of</strong> Qualcomm in<br />
the mobile industry.<br />
Gulraiz Khalid:To give you some<br />
background, the foundation <strong>of</strong> Qualcomm<br />
is based on the creation <strong>of</strong> technology that<br />
enables mobile broadband and that’s where<br />
Qualcomm has a unique position. All the<br />
patents and all the IPs that go into all the<br />
mobile networks, including the 3G smart<br />
phones, the 4G smart phones and the ones<br />
that are going into 5G are all based on the<br />
technology that Qualcomm has created.<br />
Qualcomm has always been the leader in<br />
pioneering next generation technology.<br />
When everybody was on voice in the<br />
90s, we created the first mobile internet<br />
connected phone towards the end <strong>of</strong> 90s<br />
with the CDMA Technology and that CDMA<br />
technology evolved into LTE. So from 2002<br />
to 2010 the focus has been connecting<br />
people to the internet through smart<br />
phones using mobile broadband.<br />
JS: Where are you heading today as a<br />
company?<br />
GK: In terms <strong>of</strong> what we are doing right now<br />
and how we have evolved as a company, I<br />
would say that when we started, we were<br />
about smart phones and that was the core<br />
business but we have started to go into<br />
adjacent segments around the IoT space<br />
especially automobiles. We have made<br />
significant progress in the past few years in<br />
30 January 2017
connected automotive and are now moving<br />
into the next phase which is v2x which is<br />
vehicle to everything connectivity. So that<br />
is vehicle to pedestrian, vehicle to vehicle,<br />
vehicle to infrastructure and that’s going<br />
to change the landscape <strong>of</strong> transportation.<br />
It’s going to make autonomous driving a<br />
reality and it’s going to reduce accidents so<br />
the benefits <strong>of</strong> having the connectivity are<br />
going to be industry changing. Besides this<br />
we are also focusing on multiple segments<br />
mainly entertainment, wearables tracking<br />
and some other IoT verticals.<br />
JS: How soon will we see “Automated<br />
Driving” and what should be the real<br />
expectations?<br />
GK: The evolution is going to be gradual.<br />
We are not going to get there by phasing<br />
in or phasing out. Initially the whole idea <strong>of</strong><br />
connected cars is “assisted driving” so it’s<br />
different dynamics than other markets.<br />
Would you like to elaborate on that?<br />
GK: Africa is more <strong>of</strong> an adopted mature<br />
technology market. It means that Africa<br />
only adopts a technology when the devices<br />
and the ecosystem drops down to a point<br />
where it’s affordable and that’s quite logical<br />
given the economies and the purchasing<br />
power <strong>of</strong> the area. When we talk about<br />
the migration <strong>of</strong> technology, 2G is there<br />
because <strong>of</strong> legacy. 3G is deployed and is<br />
widespread and the countries in this region<br />
that have jumped to 4G are very few. There<br />
are few specific markets and areas which<br />
we talk about the digital divide we talk<br />
about being connected to the internet.<br />
This digital divide is being addressed now<br />
with 3G smartphones that are affordable.<br />
The migration <strong>of</strong> the operators to 4G is<br />
happening and that’s going to bridge the<br />
gap for better connectivity usage even<br />
more.<br />
JS: When will see the actual<br />
commercialization <strong>of</strong> 5G?<br />
GK: 5G will be standardized in the 2019 time<br />
frame and in 2020 it will be commercialized<br />
globally. You may see some 5G networks<br />
Initially the whole<br />
idea <strong>of</strong> connected cars<br />
is “assisted driving”<br />
so it’s not going<br />
to be completely<br />
autonomous, the<br />
driving is going to be<br />
assisted autonomous<br />
driving”<br />
not going to be completely autonomous,<br />
the driving is going to be assisted<br />
autonomous driving. You are going to get<br />
interaction with infrastructure to be able<br />
to manage traffic, to manage accidents<br />
and the achievement will be to minimize<br />
these kind <strong>of</strong> accidents, “minimize” not<br />
“eliminate”. So from the legal perspective<br />
nothing changes because the car is not<br />
autonomous, you are the assistant driver.<br />
Autonomy is happening in very close areas<br />
and that’s going to stay, the autonomy<br />
will stay in very dedicated tracks in<br />
very dedicated areas and in controlled<br />
environments until other issues are<br />
resolved.<br />
JS: Africa is a very important market for<br />
telecom operators - however, it has quite<br />
have adopted that but if you look at the<br />
continent, it has successfully migrated to 3G<br />
and now it’s in the phase to migrate to 4G.<br />
Why? Because the price <strong>of</strong> the devices has<br />
actually reached affordability.<br />
Now, we can talk about 4G smartphones<br />
below $100 which is affordable in terms <strong>of</strong><br />
the initial migration. Ideally, we want to see<br />
it go down to the $50 mark or below but<br />
that’s a roadmap and we will get there.<br />
2G is now is very low cost ranging from<br />
$7 to $15 and from a consumer point <strong>of</strong><br />
view, this is not the person who wants<br />
to be connected to the internet, he just<br />
wants to use it for the phone. But when<br />
launch here and there, maybe in Korea<br />
and Japan in early 2018 and maybe in US<br />
in second half <strong>of</strong> 2018 but commercial<br />
availability <strong>of</strong> the devices will not happen<br />
before 2020.<br />
We have announced X50 that will be<br />
launched in the second half <strong>of</strong> 2018. 5G will<br />
come quickly in many areas like the US,<br />
Europe, China, Middle East, and then there<br />
is Africa where it’s all about the 5G devices<br />
hitting the affordability mark. The roll out<br />
and network discussions will start in Africa<br />
anytime in 2020. And when the price will<br />
hit the $100 mark that’s when you will start<br />
seeing the acceleration. So it really comes<br />
down to price for this region.<br />
January 2017<br />
31
ARTICLE<br />
Moving closer to delivering the home WiFi<br />
experience to users on the move<br />
Mark Richman, Director, Product Management and Mobility - Intelsat<br />
The mobility sector remains one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
dynamic and growing opportunities for<br />
broadband providers, driven by the demand<br />
that end users want to remain connected at<br />
all times. As maritime operators and their<br />
crews and cruise line and airline passengers<br />
experienced better and better connectivity<br />
in 2016, the primary mobility trend for<br />
2017 follows naturally – service providers<br />
accessing more and more bandwidth to<br />
deliver a WiFi experience that rivals that at<br />
users’ homes.<br />
This need for more mobility bandwidth is<br />
driven by a shift in user expectations from<br />
‘nice to have’ to ‘this needs to be a lot<br />
better’. Initially, users were happy just to<br />
exchange emails or read web sites. Now,<br />
as more bandwidth becomes available and<br />
services are upgraded, users also expect<br />
to be able to send out large files, such as<br />
business data or high-resolution photos and<br />
video from their vacations. In fact, WiFi has<br />
become so important to airline passengers<br />
it has become the new “legroom” <strong>of</strong><br />
commercial airlines.<br />
Similarly, cruise passengers expect to bring<br />
their own device on vacation to actively<br />
engage on social media while aboard the<br />
vessel. For both airlines and cruise ships,<br />
WiFi connections that can keep passengers<br />
connected while onboard and allow them to<br />
deliver as much data as they consume are<br />
now THE differentiator in the marketplace.<br />
For satellite broadband providers, this<br />
creates an opportunity to begin meeting<br />
these needs this year. High-throughput<br />
satellites already in orbit have the available<br />
bandwidth to satisfy end users connectivity<br />
demands, especially when these satellites,<br />
such as Intelsat EpicNG, have been<br />
optimized to deliver connectivity in areas <strong>of</strong><br />
Intelsat EpicNG, have been optimized to deliver connectivity<br />
in areas <strong>of</strong> high demand, such as highly traveled aero and<br />
mobile traffic routes. Intelsat 29e and Intelsat 33e are in orbit<br />
and ready to deliver high-throughput services today, and<br />
scheduled launches in 2017 will deliver three additional Intelsat<br />
EpicNG satellites”<br />
high demand, such as highly traveled aero<br />
and mobile traffic routes. Intelsat 29e and<br />
Intelsat 33e are in orbit and ready to deliver<br />
these high-throughput services today, and<br />
scheduled launches in 2017 will deliver three<br />
additional Intelsat EpicNG satellites to make<br />
sure this connectivity is available when and<br />
where network operators and end users<br />
need it.<br />
Another area where satellite will play a<br />
critical role in the 2017 mobility landscape is<br />
the connected car. Auto manufacturers are<br />
excited about the potential <strong>of</strong> being able to<br />
monitor vehicles and their systems remotely<br />
and provide s<strong>of</strong>tware updates via broadband<br />
connections. What a game changer to think<br />
that the car you buy today will get better<br />
and better as new s<strong>of</strong>tware features become<br />
available.<br />
The delivery systems that make this possible<br />
will rely on hybrid connectivity featuring<br />
both satellite and terrestrial technologies,<br />
and the elimination <strong>of</strong> the need to bring cars<br />
into the dealership for simple code updates<br />
will save money and time for manufacturers<br />
and drivers. And as more driverless cars<br />
and trucks begin to take to the roads; those<br />
same satellite-cellular networks will be used<br />
to monitor those vehicles as well.<br />
The automotive improvements are<br />
dependent on advances in antenna<br />
technology that Intelsat has been<br />
supporting for several years. We saw<br />
milestones and announcements around<br />
the development <strong>of</strong> smaller, more efficient<br />
antennas in 2016 that will have impact<br />
across the mobility sector. That momentum<br />
will continue into 2017 with productionready<br />
units available over the course <strong>of</strong> the<br />
year.<br />
The next year promises to be, “Annus<br />
Mirabilis” according to Runway Girl,<br />
which means that it’s a year <strong>of</strong> expanding<br />
opportunities for mobile broadband<br />
providers and better experiences for end<br />
users. The business challenge will be making<br />
it easy for network operators to incorporate<br />
this increased bandwidth into their<br />
operations and deliver it in the right places<br />
with winning business models. We know<br />
that our customers don’t want to have to<br />
buy megahertz and then determine the best<br />
way to serve the end user.<br />
That’s why we are working with our<br />
ecosystem partners to make it easier to<br />
incorporate high throughput technology<br />
into their global networks. This is not just<br />
about the right technology but also about<br />
the ecosystem working together to make<br />
it easier for our customers to focus on their<br />
business while we handle the bandwidth.<br />
Does your service provider <strong>of</strong>fer you the<br />
same?<br />
32 January 2017
FEATURE<br />
A year in review and the future outlook<br />
Riyadh Al Adely<br />
Managing Director - SkyStream<br />
Looking back at 2016<br />
2016 has been a very important year for<br />
the entire industry, especially the governments.<br />
The economy has seen some major<br />
changes, especially in this region due to the<br />
oil price changes.<br />
The variation in oil prices has led to a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
changes in the entire industry on a lot <strong>of</strong><br />
on-going and planned projects. The effect<br />
varies from country to country based on<br />
their dependency on oil. Some countries<br />
have not been affected because they have<br />
diversified sources <strong>of</strong> income.<br />
The year was quite tough for the satellite<br />
industry due to two major reasons, the drop<br />
down in the demand and the oversupply<br />
<strong>of</strong> capacity. The oversupply has led to price<br />
wars and it has become very difficult to<br />
maintain a good market. The challenge is<br />
not about acquiring more customers anymore<br />
but about maintaining a good pr<strong>of</strong>it<br />
margin.<br />
However, in times <strong>of</strong> difficulty, many players<br />
have diversified into different segments.<br />
A successful platform for us has been the<br />
military, tactical and law enforcement<br />
January 2017<br />
33
vertical. This vertical faces some challenges<br />
for which we have very suitable solutions<br />
and hence, we have started focusing on this<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the market.<br />
It is no doubt that this industry is facing<br />
very difficult and challenging times but in a<br />
way it is good because it will push solution<br />
providers to make their <strong>of</strong>ferings better and<br />
better in order to differentiate themselves<br />
in this time <strong>of</strong> competition and oversupply.<br />
Moving forward<br />
SkyStream will continue to operate and<br />
actually at a larger scale, if I may add. Satellite<br />
is not the only major focus for us now,<br />
we are also focusing on military and critical<br />
communications. We have counter systems<br />
with multiple protection phases that have<br />
applications in emergency situations in<br />
public areas such as airports etc. We are<br />
also working on another product to counter<br />
terrorism, suicide bombs and suicide cars.<br />
Oil & Gas is still a valid area <strong>of</strong> business<br />
and may actually become better as we see<br />
increase in the rise <strong>of</strong> the price <strong>of</strong> Oil once<br />
again. However, the demand is rapidly<br />
shifting as the entire industry including both<br />
the buyers and the sellers are going through<br />
some major changes in business models<br />
to accommodate for the recent economic<br />
conditions. Once the dust settles, it will be<br />
much easier to come out on top for those<br />
companies who withstand this process and<br />
adapt to market changes accordingly – and<br />
that is our plan. Our focus will be to focus<br />
on the services, increasing the quantity <strong>of</strong><br />
services and adding value to each one <strong>of</strong><br />
them. Today we are <strong>of</strong>fering system integration<br />
but in the future we are looking at<br />
provision <strong>of</strong> services that go beyond system<br />
integration.<br />
Critical Communications in the ME<br />
I think the whole Middle East is important<br />
when it comes to critical communications.<br />
The UAE has been very supportive <strong>of</strong> businesses<br />
like SkyStream and being our home<br />
country, our focus remains the most within<br />
the UAE where we plan to reciprocate the<br />
government’s support in the form <strong>of</strong> high<br />
quality solutions. That being said, the entire<br />
region is currently a target market for us in<br />
this vertical and we are <strong>of</strong>fering our services<br />
in multiple countries.<br />
The Maritime vertical<br />
We started <strong>of</strong>fering Maritime services back<br />
in 2009 and back then, this market was a<br />
blue ocean with very little competition and<br />
less market pressure. However, over the<br />
past few years, the market has changed into<br />
a red ocean defined by cut-throat competition<br />
and heavy saturation. As a consequence<br />
<strong>of</strong> these circumstances, the service <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
has also been compromised.<br />
We are still active in the market and have<br />
the largest fleet. We had some expansion<br />
plans for this market as well, but we have<br />
put those plans on halt for now to see how<br />
the market works over the coming months.<br />
The future is Capacity Building<br />
What is happening today is a response to<br />
the challenges this industry is facing. The<br />
industry has spent billions <strong>of</strong> dollars in<br />
building satellites. The market however has<br />
not responded in the same manner and the<br />
satellite companies who invested are forced<br />
to find different solutions.<br />
The market is currently evolving and as any<br />
market evolves, it faces certain challenges.<br />
We can see how other markets in the<br />
technology industry have evolved when you<br />
look at the telecommunications market or<br />
the mobile phones market or the IT services<br />
market. The same happens with almost every<br />
market – the margins become very thin<br />
and other companies (initially smaller) who<br />
did not make investments benefit the most<br />
from the market e.g. Whatsapp, Uber etc.<br />
The future lies in capacity building and<br />
improving yourself. The future is about<br />
learning from mistakes in the past. For us,<br />
that means building skills that are difficult,<br />
in fact impossible, for others to adopt. Other<br />
players will continue to replicate services,<br />
but our goal is to stay one step ahead at all<br />
times and keep evolving. If we keep learning<br />
and evolving at the pace <strong>of</strong> the market<br />
demand and not the pace <strong>of</strong> the industry, at<br />
any given point, SkyStream will be ahead <strong>of</strong><br />
its competition and successfully capitalizing<br />
on the market demand.<br />
34 January 2017
Under the patronage <strong>of</strong> His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,<br />
Vice-President and Prime Minister <strong>of</strong> the United Arab Emirates and Ruler <strong>of</strong> Dubai<br />
In association with:<br />
31 January - 1 February 2017 | St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort | Abu Dhabi | UAE<br />
VISION AND PARTNERSHIPS<br />
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Chairman<br />
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President<br />
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Naser Al Rashedi<br />
Director - Space Policy<br />
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Chief Executive Officer<br />
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EVENT<br />
“Space as a Driver for Socio-Economic<br />
Sustainable Development”<br />
Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre hosts UN / UAE - High Level Forum<br />
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre<br />
(MBRSC) has hosted the United Nations/<br />
United Arab Emirates High Level Forum:<br />
“Space as a Driver for Socio-Economic<br />
Sustainable Development”, which was<br />
organized by the United Nations Office<br />
for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)<br />
in conjunction with the United Arab<br />
Emirates Space Agency. Under UNOOSA’s<br />
leadership, the forum delivered concrete<br />
recommendations in the form <strong>of</strong> the “Dubai<br />
Declaration”, which will contribute to the<br />
United Nations event “UNISPACE+50”, to<br />
be held in Vienna in June 2018 , which will<br />
mark the 50th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the first United<br />
Nations Conference on the Exploration and<br />
Peaceful Uses <strong>of</strong> Outer Space.<br />
The Dubai Declaration urges all parties to<br />
further utilize the space sector as a driver<br />
for economic and social development,<br />
emphasizing that strengthening socioeconomic<br />
development will require an<br />
integrated approach among the space<br />
industry and other sectors to understand<br />
Participants <strong>of</strong> the Forum also declared that space economy,<br />
space society, space accessibility & space diplomacy<br />
constitute the main pillars <strong>of</strong> the Space2030 – the<br />
global space agenda that will emerge from UNISPACE+50.<br />
and meet the needs <strong>of</strong> users and the<br />
society at large. The recommendations<br />
emphasize the need for building stronger<br />
international cooperation and coordination<br />
in the peaceful uses <strong>of</strong> outer space at all<br />
levels, and the need for broadening access<br />
to space. The declaration asserts that<br />
space exploration is a long term driver for<br />
innovation and strengthening international<br />
cooperation on an all-inclusive basis and<br />
creating new opportunities for addressing<br />
global challenges. It also affirmed the<br />
need to strengthen youth and women’s<br />
involvement in the space industry.<br />
Participants <strong>of</strong> the Forum also declared<br />
that space economy, space society, space<br />
accessibility & space diplomacy constitute<br />
the main pillars <strong>of</strong> the Space2030 – the<br />
global space agenda that will emerge from<br />
UNISPACE+50.<br />
“This Declaration and what we have<br />
learned at this Forum have provided us<br />
with an understanding <strong>of</strong> how we should<br />
move forward in utilizing space for<br />
development, on the need to get open<br />
access to space for an increasing number<br />
<strong>of</strong> countries and in assisting States to attain<br />
the sustainable development goals,” said<br />
Simonetta Di Pippo, Director <strong>of</strong> UNOOSA.<br />
Ms Di Pippo also thanked MBRSC for their<br />
excellent work in organizing the Forum.<br />
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37
H.E. Dr. Khalifa Mohammed Al Romaithi,<br />
Chairman <strong>of</strong> the UAE Space Agency, said:<br />
“The hosting <strong>of</strong> the UNOOSA High Level<br />
Forum in Dubai reflects the UAE’s standing<br />
within the global space community as one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the states to enjoy an advanced and<br />
ambitious space program.”<br />
He continued: “The hosting <strong>of</strong> the<br />
forum comes as part <strong>of</strong> the UAE Space<br />
Agency’s strategic goals <strong>of</strong> building and<br />
strengthening international relationships<br />
and partnerships in the field. This stems<br />
from a belief in the importance <strong>of</strong><br />
international cooperation and <strong>of</strong> developing<br />
relationships with the most important<br />
stakeholders in the global space sector.<br />
These approaches are in line with the<br />
strategic plans and visions for the state to<br />
establish strong international cooperation<br />
and exchange knowledge with other nations<br />
around the world.”<br />
H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman <strong>of</strong><br />
the Board <strong>of</strong> Directors at MBRSC, said that<br />
“the UAE has established a solid foundation<br />
for sustainability preparing itself for the<br />
post oil era, making innovation one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
key indicators in all fields. We have laid the<br />
basis for a truly diversified economy, relying<br />
on integrated infrastructure and efficient<br />
Emirati national talent”.<br />
“The topics discussed at the forum<br />
are highly important and essential to<br />
achieving a sustainable future for the<br />
space sector; and the “Dubai Declaration”<br />
gave recommendations that enhance<br />
and activate the role <strong>of</strong> space science and<br />
technology in achieving comprehensive<br />
economic and social development,” Al<br />
Mansoori concluded.<br />
H.E. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani,<br />
Director General <strong>of</strong> MBRSC, said:<br />
“The Dubai Declaration is <strong>of</strong> historical<br />
significance for the global space sector as<br />
recommendations and trends delivered<br />
therein will contribute to a more flourishing<br />
future for the global space sector.”<br />
Al Shaibani added: “Hosting this forum<br />
in the UAE and the issuance <strong>of</strong> the Dubai<br />
Declaration affirms the UAE’s attractive<br />
positioning for key stakeholders in the<br />
global space industry, and the trust<br />
placed in the UAE by the global space<br />
community.”<br />
Al Shaibani stressed on “the importance<br />
<strong>of</strong> continued compliance with these trends<br />
and future courses that aid harnessing<br />
space technology and applications to<br />
address any challenges for the greater good<br />
<strong>of</strong> humanity”. He added: “The UAE has<br />
always supported UN trends with respect<br />
to the optimal use <strong>of</strong> space as a core sector<br />
and a driver for socio-economic sustainable<br />
development”.<br />
“For many years, there have been close<br />
ties and coordination between MBRSC and<br />
UNOOSA on space issues. For instance, the<br />
Centre has previously hosted the United<br />
Nations /United Arab Emirates Symposium<br />
on Basic Space Technology,” Al Shaibani<br />
concluded.<br />
The United Nations/United Arab Emirates<br />
High Level Forum hosted by MBRSC is<br />
the first <strong>of</strong> three preliminary forums for<br />
UNISPACE+50. The second forum will also<br />
be hosted by MBRSC next year.<br />
Inmarsat to provide connectivity to UAE through<br />
partnership with Global Beam, Virgin Megastore<br />
Inmarsat plc has announced that<br />
distribution partner Global Beam Telecom<br />
has struck a multi-year agreement with<br />
Tecbuy and Virgin Megastores in the United<br />
Arab Emirates to sell Inmarsat’s GSPS<br />
IsatPhone satellite phones and IsatHub<br />
terminals to its UAE customers.<br />
The devices are immediately available<br />
for purchase at three <strong>of</strong> the largest Virgin<br />
Megastores in UAE.<br />
Inmarsat’s mobile satellite communication<br />
solutions allow consumers and business<br />
travelers to stay connected using one<br />
device and one SIM, regardless <strong>of</strong> where<br />
in the world they travel. The IsatPhone<br />
2, Inmarsat’s next-generation handheld<br />
satellite phone, <strong>of</strong>fers a robust handset,<br />
unrivalled battery life, excellent voice<br />
quality and the unparalleled reliability <strong>of</strong><br />
the Inmarsat network, helping customers<br />
connect in the most extreme and remote<br />
locations, or simply when local networks<br />
are unavailable or slow.<br />
“Today’s consumers demand robust<br />
connectivity wherever they travel,” said<br />
Paul Gudonis, President <strong>of</strong> Inmarsat<br />
Enterprise. “This agreement with Global<br />
Beam Telecom and Virgin Megastores is a<br />
testament to Inmarsat’s commitment to<br />
providing reliable, always-on connectivity,<br />
coupled with the latest advancements in<br />
satellite technology, to our customers<br />
in UAE.”<br />
In addition to providing the phones and<br />
terminals to Virgin Megastores throughout<br />
the UAE, Global Beam is also the first global<br />
distributor <strong>of</strong> Inmarsat scratch cards to<br />
purchase and recharge satellite airtime,<br />
making it easy for customers to connect<br />
using their satellite phones. “We are proud<br />
to serve Virgin Megastore’s customers in the<br />
UAE with the most-reliable L band satellite<br />
services and devices in the industry,” said<br />
Abdullah Sulaiman, CEO <strong>of</strong> Global Beam<br />
Telecom. “Inmarsat’s proven solutions<br />
and the ability to <strong>of</strong>fer customers global<br />
coverage with one device wherever they<br />
travel is a positive sign for both B2B and<br />
B2C customers across the world who have<br />
bureaus in the MEA region.”<br />
38 January 2017
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NEWS<br />
Selevision chooses Voddler Group<br />
to optimise quality <strong>of</strong> experience<br />
Voddler Group, the cloud-streaming<br />
innovator, has been selected by Selevision,<br />
to optimise the subscriber’s streaming<br />
experience. Selevision provides broadcast<br />
and online channels direct to consumers<br />
under several brands from its bases in the<br />
<strong>Kingdom</strong> <strong>of</strong> Saudi Arabia and the United<br />
Arab Emirates, providing exceptional<br />
regional entertainment to its growing base.<br />
To ensure a consistently high quality <strong>of</strong><br />
experience for its users, Selevision is now<br />
adding Voddler’s hybrid peer-assisted and<br />
secure delivery to its global technology<br />
platform. Because Voddler’s technology<br />
scales limitlessly across all devices and<br />
bitrates, Selevision’s choice will bring its<br />
substantial catalogue to an even greater<br />
marketplace, while ensuring that its<br />
commitment to amazing user experience<br />
continues.<br />
VoddlerNet combines controlled<br />
and secure peer-assisted delivery with<br />
direct streaming from the source provider.<br />
This unique hybrid peer-assisted video<br />
streaming solution greatly expands the<br />
reach <strong>of</strong> streaming video services, while<br />
maintaining the highest bitrate and quality<br />
Dr. Raed Khusheim, CEO - Selevision<br />
<strong>of</strong> service possible.<br />
“Providing the best possible viewing<br />
experience for the end user is vital to us,<br />
regardless <strong>of</strong> which <strong>of</strong> our entertainment<br />
services they are using and wherever<br />
they may be viewing from,” said Dr Raed<br />
Khusheim, CEO <strong>of</strong> Selevision. “To maintain<br />
our leading position, we are continually<br />
innovating behind the scenes. Voddler’s<br />
ability to <strong>of</strong>fer broadcast quality content<br />
limitlessly <strong>of</strong>fers real advantages in driving<br />
up the quality <strong>of</strong> experience.”<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the particular challenges for OTT<br />
services in the Gulf region is the high<br />
demand for mobile consumption, with<br />
mobile penetration rates in Saudi Arabia<br />
exceeding 168%. While VoddlerNet provides<br />
service quality improvements across all<br />
networks, it has specific functionality which<br />
allows greater support even on mobile<br />
devices without impairing performance.”<br />
“We are very excited to be partnering<br />
with Selevision,” said Adam Lewis, CEO<br />
<strong>of</strong> Voddler Group. “As a pre-eminent OTT<br />
provider in the MENA region, Selevision<br />
already reaches millions <strong>of</strong> viewers.<br />
We want to help them continue their<br />
growth while maintaining the quality and<br />
responsiveness for which the platform is<br />
famous. Expectations <strong>of</strong> technical quality as<br />
well as access to rich content are very high,<br />
and VoddlerNet enables Selevision to meet<br />
these expectations cost-effectively, without<br />
massive investment in edge servers and<br />
content delivery networks.”<br />
CASBAA warns Indian TV Regulations Threaten Investment<br />
CASBAA, the Association <strong>of</strong> Asia’s pay-TV<br />
Industry, has warmly applauded the judicial<br />
review now underway in India <strong>of</strong> proposed<br />
extension and tightening <strong>of</strong> India’s pay-TV<br />
rate regulations.<br />
The Madras High Court is currently<br />
reviewing the clash between the rights <strong>of</strong><br />
copyright owners around the world and new<br />
tariff regulations proposed by the Telecom<br />
Regulatory Authority <strong>of</strong> India (TRAI).<br />
The court has ordered the TRAI not to give<br />
effect to the rules until the underlying issues<br />
are considered, with a hearing now set for<br />
January 19th.<br />
CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter<br />
observed that the new rules would be a<br />
major negative factor for the business<br />
environment in the $17 billion Indian media<br />
industry. “India’s pay-TV regulations have<br />
long been among the strictest in the world”,<br />
he said. “The proposed new rules are highly<br />
intrusive and would make the environment<br />
much worse. Such a heavy-handed<br />
regulatory regime will inevitably hit foreign<br />
companies’ interest in investing in India.”<br />
Indian law gives copyright owners the<br />
ability to price and sell their creative works.<br />
In filing the Madras suit, the petitioner<br />
broadcasting organizations denounced<br />
the TRAI regulation as contrary to these<br />
principles as enshrined in the law, and in<br />
international treaties to which India is a<br />
signatory. (The TRAI rules would establish<br />
a controlled price regime by mandating a<br />
la carte channel supply, setting the ceiling,<br />
by specific genres, that broadcasting<br />
organizations can charge to multichannel<br />
program distributors, limiting discounts,<br />
prescribing carriage fees, and stipulating a<br />
compulsory distribution fee to be paid by<br />
Broadcasting Organizations to multichannel<br />
program distributors.<br />
CASBAA has long expressed concern about<br />
India’s previous rate regulations, which<br />
included a cable retail price freeze imposed<br />
in 2004 “until the market became more<br />
competitive” and never revoked.<br />
“Today, India’s television content market<br />
is among the most competitive in the<br />
world,” said Slaughter. “Modern cable<br />
MSOs, six different DTH platforms and<br />
now online OTT television are all giving<br />
Indian consumers a wide range <strong>of</strong> viewing<br />
options.”<br />
40 January 2017
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SAMENA Telecommunications Council's Beyond Connectivity conference is an annual event,<br />
bringing together senior to top-level executives from regulatory bodies, telecom operator groups,<br />
technology companies, as well as other ICT industry players, including management consulting<br />
companies. The goal <strong>of</strong> Beyond Connectivity is to serve as a knowledge-sharing platform and to<br />
convene industry experts together, to discuss industry matters and business areas <strong>of</strong> interest to<br />
the industry, while providing a networking platform for the Council's members. A key outcome <strong>of</strong><br />
the discussions <strong>of</strong> the BYC conferences has been the escalation <strong>of</strong> industry priorities and issues to<br />
the decision-making and policy-making tiers <strong>of</strong> the ICT industry, triggering further policy-level<br />
dialogue on key matters, with the involvement <strong>of</strong> both private and public sector stakeholders. The<br />
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Telephone: +971.4.364.2708, Fax: +971.4.369.7513<br />
January 2017<br />
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41
NEWS<br />
EUTELSAT 117 West B now in commercial service<br />
Eutelsat Communications has announced<br />
that its EUTELSAT 117 West B satellite has<br />
entered into full commercial service and<br />
is now ready to support customers across<br />
Latin America.<br />
Commercialised by the Eutelsat Americas<br />
affiliate, EUTELSAT 117 West B is the<br />
second all-electric satellite in Eutelsat’s<br />
fleet. It is equipped with 48 Ku-band<br />
transponders (36 MHz equivalent)<br />
connected to four beams providing<br />
premium coverage <strong>of</strong> Mexico, Central<br />
America and the Caribbean, the Andean<br />
region and the Southern Cone. Eutelsat’s<br />
new satellite complements EUTELSAT 117<br />
West A, launched in 2013, to create<br />
a multi-satellite neighbourhood at 117°<br />
West, which is already used by Millicom’s<br />
Tigo Star, Stargroup and Televisa. It will<br />
also provide key services to telecom<br />
operators and government service<br />
providers in Latin America.<br />
EUTELSAT 117 West B also features<br />
a new-generation WAAS (Wide Area<br />
Augmentation System) payload operated<br />
by Raytheon as prime contractor for the<br />
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),<br />
which will go live in 2018. Developed<br />
for the civil aviation community, the<br />
WAAS payload is designed to receive<br />
signals from ground stations that<br />
verify signal accuracy and rebroadcast<br />
the information to GPS users, including<br />
airline cockpits, the most demanding <strong>of</strong><br />
civil GPS applications. It will increase GPS<br />
signal accuracy from 10 metres to 1-2<br />
metres, thereby enhancing aviation safety<br />
for users in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico<br />
and the continental United States including<br />
Alaska.<br />
Eutelsat appoints Sandrine Téran<br />
as new Group Chief Financial Officer<br />
Eutelsat has announces the appointmend<br />
Sandrine Téran as Group Chief Financial<br />
Officer and member <strong>of</strong> the Executive<br />
Committee.<br />
Sandrine Téran was formerly Managing<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> Louis Dreyfus Holding (based in<br />
the Netherlands) and has occupied other<br />
key executive positions in the Louis Dreyfus<br />
Group during the past eight years, notably<br />
Global Head <strong>of</strong> tax and Corporate Secretary,<br />
and subsequently Global CFO <strong>of</strong> Louis<br />
Dreyfus Company. From 2000 to 2008 she<br />
was head <strong>of</strong> taxation, corporate finance<br />
and internal audit at Eutelsat, contributing<br />
to significant structural changes including<br />
the privatisation in 2001 and the IPO in<br />
2005. She began her career at Ipsen as risk<br />
manager in charge <strong>of</strong> tax and insurance<br />
before joining Euro Disney where she was<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> tax. Sandrine is a finance and tax<br />
graduate from Paris Dauphine University.<br />
Commenting on the appointment,<br />
Rodolphe Belmer, Eutelsat’s Chief Executive<br />
Officer, said:“Sandrine’s significant<br />
expertise in a wide-range <strong>of</strong> financial<br />
functions and experience in international<br />
business will further strengthen our financial<br />
leadership. I am delighted to welcome her<br />
to Eutelsat and to our executive team.”<br />
NovelSat to support Telefónica’s 4G service in Antarctica<br />
Telefónica Móviles Argentina (Movistar)<br />
recently launched the Antarctica’s first<br />
4G LTE mobile network, supported by<br />
NovelSat NS3000 Pr<strong>of</strong>essional High-Data<br />
Rate Satellite Modems. At Marambio Base,<br />
a permanent Argentine research facility in<br />
Antarctic territory, the most remote region<br />
on the planet, the only viable method <strong>of</strong><br />
data communication is through a satellite<br />
network. To meet the unique challenges <strong>of</strong><br />
Antarctica, Telefónica choose to run with<br />
NovelSat modems and NovelSat NS4,<br />
the 4th generation satellite transmission<br />
waveform from NovelSat, a world leader in<br />
satellite transmission technology.<br />
In addition to increased data capacity to<br />
support 4G service for the 70 permanent<br />
residents and 5,000 annual visitors at<br />
Marambio, the NovelSat solution has<br />
increased network stability and reliability<br />
compared to the previous communication<br />
network solution.<br />
Thanks to Telefónica’s deployment<br />
at Marambio, where mobile data<br />
transfer speeds previously reached<br />
1.5Mbps, and can now enjoy speeds<br />
<strong>of</strong> up to 20Mbps.<br />
42 January 2017
NEWS<br />
Ericsson and SpeedCast International<br />
announce global partnership<br />
Ericsson and SpeedCast have entered into a<br />
strategic agreement which leverages both<br />
organizations’ global capabilities to create<br />
a strong partnership in the global maritime<br />
sector, enabling both companies to expand<br />
their <strong>of</strong>ferings to the market.<br />
By selecting SpeedCast as its satellite<br />
connectivity solution partner, Ericsson will<br />
expand its end-to-end service solutions<br />
for shipping, ports and terminal customers<br />
using SpeedCast’s global network and<br />
satellite communication services to support<br />
customers worldwide.<br />
SpeedCast has established a strong<br />
track record <strong>of</strong> successfully delivering<br />
connectivity to the shipping sector, while<br />
Ericsson has become a top provider <strong>of</strong> endto-end<br />
managed solutions to the shipping,<br />
port and terminal markets.<br />
Through the partnership, Ericsson will be<br />
able to achieve significant economies <strong>of</strong><br />
scale and an enhanced global infrastructure<br />
that enables it to deliver a comprehensive<br />
portfolio <strong>of</strong> services to its customers.<br />
Both organizations will be able to drive<br />
revenue growth and operational efficiencies<br />
for their customers by combining their<br />
<strong>of</strong>ferings, including:<br />
Pierre-Jean Beylier<br />
CEO, SpeedCast International<br />
• A tailored portfolio <strong>of</strong> connectivity<br />
services aimed at lowering operational<br />
costs, including global connectivity, data<br />
capture and operations analytics tools<br />
• A global sales force and support<br />
organization that reaches all major shipping<br />
locations<br />
• A satellite and ground-based network<br />
infrastructure that can provide customers<br />
connectivity across multiple frequency<br />
bands anywhere in the world<br />
• Technologies that enhance connected<br />
vessel <strong>of</strong>ferings and improve efficiencies<br />
across fleets<br />
• Engineering, technical and managerial<br />
resources to effectively drive program<br />
management, product maintenance, and<br />
field support<br />
Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO, SpeedCast<br />
International Ltd, says: “Becoming<br />
Ericsson’s mobile connectivity supplier<br />
validates our competitive <strong>of</strong>fering to the<br />
market and our relentless focus on quality<br />
<strong>of</strong> service. The seamless connectivity<br />
experience that we provide to Ericsson is<br />
crucial for their customers, and is available<br />
to vessels and shore operations regardless<br />
<strong>of</strong> their location. Ericsson’s integration<br />
capabilities and end-to-end service <strong>of</strong>ferings<br />
are unique in the sector and we are happy to<br />
explore new business models with them.”<br />
John Taxgaard, Head <strong>of</strong> Maritime, Customer<br />
Group Industry & Society, Ericsson, says:<br />
“SpeedCast provides us a flexible business<br />
model that fits our needs. The possibility<br />
<strong>of</strong> joining their connectivity platform and<br />
the resulting availability is a great fit for our<br />
managed services solutions. We are very<br />
pleased to have SpeedCast as our partner<br />
and we foresee huge benefits and successful<br />
implementations for both sides.”<br />
SpeedCast launches ‘SpeedMail Business Unlimited’<br />
SpeedCast International has announced<br />
the <strong>of</strong>ficial release <strong>of</strong> SpeedMail Business<br />
Unlimited, a revolutionary service bundle<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering unlimited business email for the<br />
maritime industry.<br />
The SpeedMail Business Unlimited solution<br />
is based on the SIGMA Net platform using<br />
SpeedMail+, a primary VSAT connection<br />
and an MSS backup link.<br />
The SpeedMail Business Unlimited<br />
package is designed to provide maritime<br />
business continuity with predictable and<br />
fixed monthly costs, removing the fear <strong>of</strong><br />
unexpected overage fees.<br />
SpeedMail+ is a secure cloud-based<br />
maritime email system, delivering efficient<br />
email plus file transfer services between<br />
ship and shore. Managing SpeedMail+<br />
has never been easier with SpeedMail+<br />
Portal, a cloud-based management<br />
application allowing IT managers to<br />
remotely configure and troubleshoot via a<br />
browser wherever their vessels are located.<br />
Vessel IT Managers can also opt to use the<br />
SpeedMail+ domain for email, or permit<br />
SpeedCast to host a designated corporate<br />
email domain for their fleet.<br />
SIGMA Net is a VSAT and MSS network<br />
management device that provides<br />
automated and efficient management<br />
<strong>of</strong> multiple WAN links, plus a portfolio<br />
<strong>of</strong> secured cloud-based business services<br />
including an integrated firewall, web<br />
access management, integrated SIP<br />
server for VOIP calling and VPN<br />
connectivity to corporate headquarters.<br />
SIGMA Net <strong>of</strong>fers flexible crew services<br />
including innovative pre-paid pin-based<br />
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) data and<br />
voice services, supporting simplified<br />
voucher generation and management<br />
from shore.<br />
January 2017<br />
43
NEWS<br />
Veeam launches ‘Veeam partner Academies’ in the<br />
Middle East as part <strong>of</strong> Channel Enablement Strategy<br />
Veeam has announced the introduction<br />
<strong>of</strong> ‘Veeam Partner Academies’, a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> half day and full day workshops that<br />
will be co-hosted along with a distributor.<br />
The objective is to develop knowledge<br />
within Veeam’s sales and pre-sales partner<br />
community so that they have all the tools<br />
needed to deliver a compelling message to<br />
customers about the criticality <strong>of</strong> availability<br />
solutions for the modern data centre.<br />
Omar Akhtar, Regional Channel Manager<br />
- Middle East & SAARC at Veeam S<strong>of</strong>tware<br />
says, “Veeam is evolving into a ‘nontouch<br />
business’ and we rely heavily on our<br />
partners to drive our business. Due to the<br />
company’s continued commitment to its<br />
channel partners across the Middle East,<br />
investment in training is key so partners can<br />
continually differentiate themselves from<br />
competitors that <strong>of</strong>fer traditional legacy<br />
back-up. This initiative enables our partners<br />
to position themselves as trusted advisors<br />
to end-users and knowledgably advise<br />
them about the criticality <strong>of</strong> ‘Availability’<br />
in their journey to digital transformation.<br />
Our partners will be given the knowledge<br />
and skills to educate regional CIOs and IT<br />
managers about the need to transition from<br />
legacy backup solutions to high availability<br />
data centre solutions like the Veeam<br />
Availability Suite, in order to make the<br />
most <strong>of</strong> their investments in virtualization<br />
and become always-on, always-available<br />
operations.”<br />
Veeam will co-host the first event in Q1’<br />
2017 in the UAE with its distributor Aptec<br />
- an Ingram Micro Company, and will then<br />
extend the concept to other regional<br />
distributors.<br />
Gianluca Mazzotta, EMEA Presales<br />
Director at Veeam S<strong>of</strong>tware says, “At<br />
Veeam, we see our channel as an extension<br />
<strong>of</strong> our company, and to this end we want<br />
them to be able to add value to end-users<br />
as they help them address their<br />
virtualization and availability challenges.<br />
Key to this is delivering the correct technical<br />
message and partners will only be able to<br />
do this effectively if they are provided with<br />
regular training. We have experienced a<br />
great deal <strong>of</strong> success with hosting Veeam<br />
Partner Academies in Europe and we are<br />
excited about launching the concept in the<br />
Middle East. The feedback from partners<br />
that have attended the events has been<br />
very encouraging and we have already<br />
noticed an improvement in customer<br />
engagement as a direct result <strong>of</strong> these<br />
workshops. ”<br />
Peter-Service and Rostelecom complete a Big Data project<br />
Rostelecom invited Peter-Service to build<br />
an analytical data storage. The main task<br />
<strong>of</strong> the data storage is to process data from<br />
Rostelecom’s interconnect system and<br />
provide analytical reports, helping the<br />
telecom operator make strategic decisions<br />
on how to develop its voice service <strong>of</strong>ferings<br />
in the B2B, B2C and B2O segments.<br />
Voice traffic remains an important part<br />
<strong>of</strong> Rostelecom’s business, with outgoing<br />
and incoming calls to and from numbers<br />
served by other network operators<br />
accounting for a considerable portion<br />
<strong>of</strong> it. Since 2014 Rostelecom has been<br />
using PETER-SERVICE ITC, a centralized<br />
solution delivered by Peter-Service, to<br />
handle interconnect settlement with other<br />
operators. The newly deployed analytical<br />
data storage will receive and process<br />
data from ITC, with total monthly input<br />
averaging over 10 billion records.<br />
Rostelecom’s strategy is to adopt a<br />
segment-based management model. To<br />
implement it, the operator needs to split its<br />
traffic into segments based on subscriber<br />
number types. Until 2016, the entire<br />
interconnect traffic had been classified as<br />
B2O (Business-to-Operator) only. With the<br />
data storage launched, it became possible<br />
to classify traffic into three segments − B2B,<br />
B2C and B2O − as required by Rostelecom’s<br />
current corporate accounting practices and<br />
calculate service margins for each segment<br />
with a considerable degree <strong>of</strong> precision both<br />
by region and by call interconnection level<br />
(local, national, international).<br />
The data storage was built by Peter-Service,<br />
a long-standing supplier <strong>of</strong> interconnect<br />
solutions to Rostelecom. The system<br />
became part <strong>of</strong> Rostelecom’s big data<br />
platform; the architecture <strong>of</strong> the solution<br />
enabled seamless integration into the<br />
operator’s unified enterprise data storage.<br />
“Telecom operators have been focused on<br />
building analytical data storages for the<br />
last few years, but now, with operators’<br />
interest in big data growing rapidly, the task<br />
is becoming even more relevant,” said Igor<br />
Gorkov, Peter-Service’s Managing Director.<br />
“The revenue share <strong>of</strong> voice services has<br />
been declining in recent years, and in-depth<br />
traffic analysis is becoming increasingly<br />
important. Empowered by big data<br />
approaches, operators can not only better<br />
control their revenue and cost streams<br />
relating to on-network, interconnect<br />
or roaming traffic but also make better<br />
decisions about how to develop their<br />
business in those areas.”<br />
January 2017<br />
45
EVENT<br />
PSEB holds IT Awards event to<br />
recognize top IT exporters <strong>of</strong> Pakistan<br />
Aftab Raza Khan<br />
Pakistan S<strong>of</strong>tware Export Board (PSEB),<br />
organized an IT Awards event at a local<br />
hotel in Islamabad to motivate and to<br />
recognize the top IT exporters <strong>of</strong> Pakistan.<br />
The event was attended by senior<br />
executives <strong>of</strong> IT companies, government<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials, and commercial counselors <strong>of</strong><br />
a number <strong>of</strong> countries. MD PSEB, Asim<br />
Shahryar Husain, welcomed the participants<br />
and mentioned that PSEB is organizing the<br />
awards for the first time to motivate and to<br />
recognize the top IT exporters <strong>of</strong> Pakistan.<br />
He mentioned that PSEB has many industry<br />
support programs including research<br />
studies, s<strong>of</strong>tware parks and bandwidth,<br />
participation in international events, CMMI<br />
and ISO certifications, and internships and<br />
trainings for IT graduates, and industry<br />
advocacy on issues such as taxation and<br />
curriculum. He stated that the purpose<br />
<strong>of</strong> these programs is to facilitate the IT<br />
industry to grow the IT exports <strong>of</strong> Pakistan<br />
every year.<br />
This was followed by speeches from<br />
executives <strong>of</strong> different IT companies<br />
including Salim Ghauri from Netsol, Mr.<br />
Naseer Akhtar from InfoTech, and Mr.<br />
Haroon Kanth from Teradata Pakistan who<br />
talked about the success stories <strong>of</strong> their<br />
companies.<br />
During the awards distribution ceremony,<br />
Minister IT, Anusha Rahman Khan<br />
gave awards to the top IT exporters.<br />
The platinum award went to Netsol<br />
Technologies. Gold awards were given to<br />
Systems Limited, S&P Pakistan, Teradata<br />
Pakistan, and TRG Pakistan. Silver awards<br />
were given to MTBC, Ovex Technologies,<br />
i2c Pakistan, LMKR Pakistan, and Mentor<br />
Graphics Pakistan. The awards for top 3<br />
companies in domestic revenue went to<br />
Inbox Technologies, InfoTech, and NIFT. The<br />
awards for top 3 startups in exports were<br />
given to Synergy-IT, VentureDive, and MD<br />
Vision. Finally, the innovation awards for<br />
technology patents were given to Astica,<br />
Solotech Labs, and Xgrid Solutions.<br />
Speaking on the occasion, Minister IT<br />
stated that ICT is a top priority sector for<br />
the current government. The ministry had<br />
announced the telecom policy in early 2016<br />
and the plan is to get IT policy approved by<br />
cabinet by early 2017. It was because <strong>of</strong> the<br />
efforts <strong>of</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> IT that tax exemption<br />
on IT exports has been extended for another<br />
3 years. Also, IT remittances have grown<br />
by 70% under the current government over<br />
the past three years. She emphasized that<br />
to improve the IT exports, the companies<br />
should report their remittances under the<br />
correct IT codes defined by state bank. If<br />
the remittances grow by 25% every year,<br />
then IT exports will cross $5 billion by 2020<br />
and $10 billion by 2025.<br />
The Minister mentioned that she<br />
had approached Korea Exim Bank in<br />
2014 to initiate feasibility study for a<br />
new technology park on PSEB’s land<br />
in Islamabad. The good news for the<br />
industry is that feasibility study has been<br />
completed and PC-1 has been approved<br />
by ECNEC also. Chairman <strong>of</strong> Korea Exim<br />
Bank will be visiting Pakistan next month<br />
to sign the loan agreement. This will be<br />
followed by design and construction <strong>of</strong> a<br />
new technology park in Islamabad. She<br />
mentioned that PSEB has land for IT parks<br />
in Karachi and Lahore also and is looking<br />
for investors to build new IT parks in those<br />
cities also.<br />
Minister IT congratulated the award winners<br />
and hoped that the awards will motivate<br />
other IT companies to improve their exports<br />
and reporting to get a chance for winning<br />
the awards next year.<br />
46 January 2017
ARTICLE<br />
Cyber Security<br />
in 2017<br />
Harish Chib<br />
Vice President - Sophos, MEA<br />
2016 saw a huge number and variety <strong>of</strong><br />
cyberattacks, ranging from a high-pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
DDoS using hijacked Internet-facing<br />
security cameras to the alleged hacking <strong>of</strong><br />
party <strong>of</strong>ficials during the US election. We<br />
also saw a rising tide <strong>of</strong> data breaches, from<br />
organizations big and small, and significant<br />
losses <strong>of</strong> people’s personal information.<br />
With the year almost over, we’re pondering<br />
how some <strong>of</strong> those trends might play out in<br />
2017.<br />
Current and emerging attack trends<br />
Destructive DDoS IoT attacks will rise. In<br />
2016, Mirai showed the massive destructive<br />
potential <strong>of</strong> DDoS attacks as a result <strong>of</strong><br />
insecure consumer IoT (Internet <strong>of</strong> Things)<br />
devices. Mirai’s attacks exploited only a<br />
small number <strong>of</strong> devices and vulnerabilities<br />
and used basic password guessing<br />
techniques. However, cybercriminals will<br />
find it easy to extend their reach because<br />
there are so many IoT devices containing<br />
outdated code based on poorly-maintained<br />
operating systems and applications with<br />
well-known vulnerabilities. Expect IoT<br />
exploits, better password guessing and<br />
more compromised IoT devices being used<br />
for DDoS or perhaps to target other devices<br />
in your network.<br />
Shift from exploitation to targeted social<br />
attacks. Cybercriminals are getting better<br />
at exploiting the ultimate vulnerability<br />
- humans. Ever more sophisticated and<br />
convincing targeted attacks seek to coax<br />
users into compromising themselves. For<br />
example, it’s common to see an email that<br />
addresses the recipient by name and claims<br />
they have an outstanding debt the sender<br />
has been authorized to collect. Shock,<br />
awe or borrowing authority by pretending<br />
to be law enforcement are common and<br />
effective tactics. The email directs them<br />
to a malicious link that users are panicked<br />
into clicking on, opening them up to attack.<br />
Such phishing attacks can no longer be<br />
recognized by obvious mistakes.<br />
Financial infrastructure at greater risk <strong>of</strong><br />
attack. The use <strong>of</strong> targeted phishing and<br />
“whaling” continues to grow. These attacks<br />
use detailed information about company<br />
executives to trick employees into paying<br />
fraudsters or compromising accounts. We<br />
also expect more attacks on critical financial<br />
infrastructure, such as the attack involving<br />
SWIFT-connected institutions which cost<br />
the Bangladesh Central Bank $81 million<br />
in February. SWIFT recently admitted that<br />
there have been other such attacks and it<br />
expects to see more, stating in a leaked<br />
letter to client banks: “The threat is very<br />
persistent, adaptive and sophisticated –<br />
and it is here to stay”.<br />
Exploitation <strong>of</strong> the Internet’s inherently<br />
insecure infrastructure. All Internet users<br />
rely on ancient foundational protocols,<br />
and their ubiquity makes them nearly<br />
impossible to revamp or replace. These<br />
archaic protocols that have long been the<br />
backbone <strong>of</strong> the Internet and business<br />
networks are sometimes surprisingly flaky.<br />
For example, attacks against BGP (Border<br />
Gateway Protocol)could potentially disrupt,<br />
hijack, or disable much <strong>of</strong> the Internet.<br />
And the DDoS attack on Dynin October<br />
(launched by a myriad <strong>of</strong> IoT devices), took<br />
down the DNS provider and, along with it,<br />
access to part <strong>of</strong> the internet. It was one <strong>of</strong><br />
the largest assaults seen and those claiming<br />
responsibility said that it was just a dry run.<br />
Large-scale ISPs and enterprises can take<br />
some steps to respond, but these may well<br />
fail to prevent serious damage if individuals<br />
or states choose to exploit the Internet’s<br />
deepest security flaws.<br />
Increased attack complexity. Attacks<br />
increasingly bring together multiple<br />
technical and social elements, and<br />
reflect careful, lengthy probing <strong>of</strong> the<br />
victim organization’s network. Attackers<br />
compromise multiple servers and<br />
workstations long before they start to steal<br />
data or act aggressively. Closely managed<br />
by experts, these attacks are strategic, not<br />
tactical, and can cause far more damage.<br />
This is a very different world to the preprogrammed<br />
and automated malware<br />
payloads we used to see – patient and<br />
evading detection.<br />
More attacks using built-in admin<br />
languages and tools. We see more exploits<br />
based on PowerShell, Micros<strong>of</strong>t’s language<br />
for automating administrative tasks. As<br />
a scripting language, PowerShell evades<br />
countermeasures focused on executables.<br />
We also see more attacks using penetration<br />
testing and other administrative tools that<br />
may already exist on the network, need not<br />
be infiltrated, and may not be suspected.<br />
These powerful tools require equally strong<br />
controls.<br />
Ransomware evolves. As more users<br />
recognize the risks <strong>of</strong> ransomware attack via<br />
email, criminals are exploring other vectors.<br />
Some are experimenting with malware that<br />
reinfects later, long after a ransom is paid,<br />
January 2017<br />
47
and some are starting to use built-in tools<br />
and no executable malware at all to avoid<br />
detection by endpoint protection code<br />
that focuses on executable files. Recent<br />
examples have <strong>of</strong>fered to decrypt files<br />
after the victim shared the ransomware<br />
with two friends, and those friends paid to<br />
decrypt their files. Ransomware authors<br />
are also starting to use techniques other<br />
than encryption, for example deleting or<br />
corrupting file headers. And finally, with<br />
“old” ransomware still floating around the<br />
web, users may fall victim to attacks that<br />
can’t be “cured” because payment locations<br />
no longer work.<br />
Emergence <strong>of</strong> personal IoT attacks.<br />
Users <strong>of</strong> home IoT devices may not notice<br />
or even care if their baby monitors are<br />
hijacked to attack someone else’s website.<br />
But once attackers “own” a device on a<br />
home network, they can compromise<br />
other devices, such as laptops containing<br />
important personal data. We expect to see<br />
more <strong>of</strong> this as well asmore attacks that<br />
use cameras and microphonesto spy on<br />
households. Cyber criminals always find a<br />
way to pr<strong>of</strong>it.<br />
Growth <strong>of</strong> malvertising and corruption<br />
<strong>of</strong> online advertising ecosystems:<br />
Malvertising, which spreads malware<br />
through online ad networks and web pages,<br />
has been around for years. But in 2016,<br />
we saw much more <strong>of</strong> it. These attacks<br />
highlight larger problems throughout the<br />
advertising ecosystem, such as click fraud,<br />
which generates paying clicks that don’t<br />
correspond to real customer interest.<br />
Malvertising has actually generated click<br />
fraud, compromising users and stealing<br />
from advertisers at the same time.<br />
The downside <strong>of</strong> encryption. As encryption<br />
becomes ubiquitous, it has become much<br />
harder for security products to inspect<br />
traffic, making it easier for criminals to<br />
sneak through undetected. Unsurprisingly,<br />
cybercriminals are using encryption in<br />
creative new ways. Security products will<br />
need to tightly integrate network and client<br />
capabilities, to rapidly recognize security<br />
events after code is decrypted on the<br />
endpoint.<br />
Rising focus on exploits against virtualized<br />
and cloud systems. Attacks against<br />
physical hardware (e.g. Rowhammer)<br />
raise the possibility <strong>of</strong> dangerous new<br />
exploits against virtualized cloud systems.<br />
Attackers might abuse the host or other<br />
guests running on a shared host, attack<br />
privilege models, and conceivably access<br />
others ‘data. And, as Docker and the entire<br />
container (or ‘serverless’) eco-system<br />
become more popular, attackers will<br />
increasingly seek to discover and exploit<br />
vulnerabilities in this relatively new trend in<br />
computing. We expect active attempts to<br />
operationalize such attacks.<br />
Technical attacks against states and<br />
societies. Technology-based attacks have<br />
become increasingly political. Societies face<br />
growing risks from both disinformation(e.g.,<br />
“fake news”) and voting system<br />
compromise. For instance, researchers have<br />
demonstrated attacks that might allow a<br />
local voter to fraudulently vote repeatedly<br />
Users <strong>of</strong> home IoT<br />
devices may not notice<br />
or even care if their baby<br />
monitors are hijacked<br />
to attack someone<br />
else’s website. But once<br />
attackers “own” a device<br />
on a home network, they<br />
can compromise other<br />
devices, such as laptops<br />
containing important<br />
personal data.<br />
without detection. Even if states never<br />
engage in attacks against their adversaries’<br />
elections, the perception that these attacks<br />
are possible is itself a powerful weapon.<br />
What can organisations do to protect<br />
against new threats?<br />
Unfortunately, many organizations still<br />
don’t have their security basics right. We<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer six measures organizations should put<br />
in place to help keep more complex threats<br />
at bay.<br />
Moving from layered to integrated<br />
security. Many organizations now possess<br />
multiple solutions that were once bestin-breed<br />
but are now too costly and<br />
difficult to manage. Moving towards<br />
integrated solutions where all components<br />
communicate and work together will help to<br />
solve this. For example, if malware knocks<br />
an endpoint’s security s<strong>of</strong>tware <strong>of</strong>fline,<br />
network security should automatically<br />
quarantine that device, reducing the risk to<br />
your entire environment.<br />
Deploying next-generation endpoint<br />
protection. As ransomware becomes<br />
ubiquitous and endpoints grow more<br />
diverse, organizations must refocus on<br />
endpoint protection. But signature-based<br />
solutions are no longer enough on their<br />
own, and can miss zero-day attacks. Choose<br />
solutions that recognize and prevent the<br />
techniques and behaviors used in nearly all<br />
exploits.<br />
Prioritizing risk-based security. No<br />
organization possesses the resources to<br />
systematically protect everything, and<br />
100% prevention is no longer realistic.<br />
Clarify the risks associated with each<br />
system, and focus your efforts accordingly.<br />
Risks change fast: look for tools that track<br />
them dynamically, and respond accordingly.<br />
But make sure those tools are easy and<br />
practical enough to use.<br />
Automating the basics. You can’t afford to<br />
waste time running the same reports and<br />
performing the same security tasks you<br />
always have. Automate wherever it can be<br />
done simply and easily, so you can focus<br />
scarce resources on serious risks and highvalue<br />
tasks.<br />
Building staff and process to deter and<br />
mitigate social attacks. Since social attacks<br />
now predominate, educating users and<br />
involving them in prevention is now even<br />
more important. Focus education on the<br />
threats each group is likeliest to encounter.<br />
Make sure it’s up-to-date: outdated<br />
guidance on topics such as phishing can be<br />
counterproductive, <strong>of</strong>fering a false sense <strong>of</strong><br />
security.<br />
Improving defender coordination.<br />
Cybercrime is organized crime: defense<br />
must be organized, too. That means<br />
choosing tools and processes that eliminate<br />
barriers within your organization, so<br />
everyone can respond quickly to the same<br />
attack. It may also mean looking for legal<br />
and practical opportunities to collaborate<br />
with other companies and the government,<br />
so you can mitigate widespread attacks and<br />
learn from others’ postmortems.<br />
48 January 2017
The App is Dead. And IoT Killed It<br />
What’s the last app you downloaded?<br />
Did you download it “willingly,” or were you “forced” to download it to be able to operate a new device?<br />
Shiny<br />
Like millions <strong>of</strong> people around the world,<br />
you may have received a shiny new device<br />
as a holiday gift at the end <strong>of</strong> last year. But<br />
it wasn’t just any device. It was a smart<br />
device, connected to the internet and<br />
controlled and managed through an app.<br />
Wait? What?! I have to stop everything<br />
just to download (and then keep updated)<br />
another app on my smart phone just to use,<br />
just to “talk” to my device? Why?<br />
Faster<br />
Over the past 12 months, I have seen the<br />
world change — yes, for the better.<br />
Full disclosure: My company created<br />
technology which enables people to talk<br />
to their things as easily as they talk to<br />
each other (and depending on your family,<br />
maybe even easier).<br />
Easier<br />
The world has changed for the better<br />
because WE NO LONGER NEED A<br />
SEPARATE APP to use our things, the<br />
“things” in the Internet <strong>of</strong> Things (IoT). We<br />
simply communicate with our devices —<br />
including appliances, machines, equipment,<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware, and databases — with the<br />
communications platforms we already like<br />
to use.<br />
It’s an easy guess that the apps you<br />
use most on your smart phone are<br />
communications apps. It’s how you<br />
communicate with the people in your<br />
life.<br />
You text people. You email people.<br />
You tweet, snap, and Facebook people.<br />
And, depending on the country in which<br />
you live (and also your age!), you may also<br />
WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat people.<br />
Cheaper<br />
How exactly did IoT kill the app? You can<br />
now text your air conditioner. You can email<br />
your city garage’s parking camera. You can<br />
have your fitness tracker tweet, snap and<br />
Facebook your run or swim. And you can<br />
even WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat your<br />
robot floor cleaner to finish vacuuming<br />
before you get home from work.<br />
But what about voice?<br />
Text is still superior to voice, as anyone who<br />
has used Google Home or Amazon Echo<br />
(yes, I have one, and I love it) and/or tried to<br />
use voice while waiting in an airport security<br />
line without having other people overhear:<br />
1) your proprietary business information,<br />
2) your squeeze’s silly nickname, or 3) your<br />
holiday weight gain. can tell you.<br />
So what’s next?<br />
At the recent Consumer Electronics Show<br />
here in Las Vegas, arguably the Super Bowl<br />
(or World Cup if you’re from outside <strong>of</strong> the<br />
US) <strong>of</strong> technology, the trend line is clear.<br />
IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural<br />
Language Processing (NLP), and Virtual/<br />
Augmented/Mixed Reality (VR, AR, and MR<br />
respectively) are rapidly, and permanently,<br />
changing the capabilities <strong>of</strong> the products we<br />
use at home, at work, and on the go.<br />
Manufacturers who “zap the app”<br />
reduce their costs (how much did your<br />
company spend on its apps in 2016?),<br />
increase product usability (no apps to<br />
learn, even grandmothers can message,<br />
especially when they get to choose their<br />
own channel), and focus on what they<br />
do best (i.e., I have yet to meet a product<br />
engineer who loves managing dozens <strong>of</strong><br />
communications platforms’ constantly<br />
changing Application Processing Interfaces<br />
(APIs)).<br />
January 2017<br />
49
GLOBAL ICT, TELECOM & SATCOM EVENTS<br />
PTC January & February 2017<br />
15 - 18 January Honolulu, Hawaii, US<br />
SCWS MENA 16 January Dubai, UAE<br />
Customer Experience Management 23 - 26 January London, UK<br />
Global Space Congress 31 Jan - 01 Feb Abu Dhabi, UAE<br />
MEET ICT <strong>Bahrain</strong> & BITEX 2017 07 - 09 February Manama, <strong>Bahrain</strong><br />
Convergence India 08 - 10 February New Delhi, India<br />
GTX-i 15 - 20 February Baghdad, Iraq<br />
Milsatcom 21 - 22 February Abu Dhabi, UAE<br />
GTI Summit 23 February Barcelona, Spain<br />
GSMA Mobile World Congress 27 Feb - 02 March Barcelona, Spain<br />
March & April 2017<br />
Satellite 2017 06 - 09 March Washington Dc, USA<br />
Capacity Middle East 07 - 09 March Dubai, UAE<br />
Beyond Connectivity 16 March Oman, Muscat<br />
Telecom World Asia 21 - 22 March Bangkok, Thailand<br />
CeBIT Germany 20 - 24 March Hannover, Germany<br />
CABSAT 21 - 23 March Dubai, UAE<br />
NFV & SDN MENA Forum 27 - 28 March Dubai, UAE<br />
Australian OTT Summit 27 - 28 March Abu Dhabi, UAE<br />
MEFTECH 28 - 29 March Abu Dhabi, UAE<br />
TV Connect 28 - 30 March London, UK<br />
Convergence Africa World 05 - 07 April Nairobi, Kenya<br />
Broadband TV Connect Asia 11 - 12 April Hong Kong<br />
ITC FEST 11 - 12 April Dubai, UAE<br />
SCWA Asia 11 April Singapore<br />
Financial Inclusion Summit Asia 18 - 19 April Singapore<br />
NAB Show 22 - 27 April Las Vegas, US<br />
MVNOs World Congress 24 - 27 April Acropolis Nice, France<br />
50 January 2017
March & April 2017<br />
5G Latin America 25 - 27 April RIO de Janeiro, Brazil<br />
Expo Comm Russia 25 - 27 April Moscow, Russia<br />
Broadband Latin America 25 - 27 April RIO de Janeiro, Brazil<br />
5G MENA 30 April - 02 May Dubai, UAE<br />
Seamless Middle East<br />
May 2017<br />
01 - 02 May Dubai, UAE<br />
Cloud MENA 01 - 02 May Dubai, UAE<br />
The Mobile Show ME 01 - 02 May Dubai, UAE<br />
Transform Africa Summit 2017 10 - 12 May Kigali, Rwanda<br />
SAMENA Telecom Leader Summit 11 May Dubai, UAE<br />
MilsatCom Asia Pacific 15 - 16 May Singapore<br />
Critical Communications 16 - 18 May Hong Kong<br />
GISEC & GEMEC 21 - 23 May Dubai, UAE<br />
Future Technology Week 21 - 23 May Dubai, UAE<br />
IoTx 21 - 23 May Dubai, UAE<br />
Casbaa Satellite Industry Forum 22 May Singapore<br />
CommunicAsia 2017 23 - 25 May Singapore<br />
SCWS Forum 23 May London, UK<br />
June to October 2017<br />
West Africa Com 06 - 08 June Lagos, Nigeria<br />
5G World 13 - 15 June London, UK<br />
GSMA Mobile World Congress 28 June - 01 July Shanghai, China<br />
IBC 14 - 19 September Amsterdam, Netherlands<br />
Telecom World ME 18 - 19 September Dubai, UAE<br />
ITU Telecom World 25 - 28 September Busan, Korea<br />
PT/EXPO China 2017 27 - 30 September Beijing, China<br />
5G Asia 02 - 04 October Singapore<br />
GITEX Technology Week 08 - 12 October Dubai, UAE<br />
Broadband World Forum 24 - 26 October Messe Berlin, Germany<br />
CommUnic Indonesia 25 - 27 October Jakarta, Indonesia<br />
January 2017<br />
51
Middle East 2017<br />
7 – 9 March 2017, Dubai<br />
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IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH 1,600+<br />
ATTENDEES<br />
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY<br />
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Diamond sponsor<br />
Platinum sponsors<br />
tawasul telecom<br />
ITW Logo Bold & Bigger<br />
Gold sponsors<br />
Silver sponsors<br />
Associate sponsors<br />
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