BizBahrain Magazine (May-June 2019)

Telecom
VIVA Bahrain
delivers
a simpler
connectivity
experience
Karim Tabbouche
Chief Commercial Officer, VIVA
Bahrain
Gemalto has partnered
with VIVA Bahrain, to
supply them with a remote
subscription management
platform that enables
customers to instantly
activate a mobile connection
for devices fitted with an
eSIM. They will then be
able to manage their mobile
subscription throughout the
product lifecycle, without ever
needing to physically change
a SIM card.
In contrast to a
conventional removable
SIM, an eSIM is embedded
in the device during
manufacturing. As a result, it
saves space, reduces weight,
and makes it far easier
for OEMs to supply users
with innovative connected
devices wherever they are.
In particular, eSIM adoption
is helping to fuel dramatic
growth in the IoT (Internet
of Things), supporting the
development of exciting
consumer products such as
smartwatches, connected PCs
and compelling concepts that
include the connected car and
smart home. In the wearables
market alone, Frost and
Sullivan predicts shipments
in the Middle East and North
Africa will reach 200 million
units in 2020, up from 90
million in 2016.
Gemalto’s eSIM
management platform
provides VIVA Bahrain
with seamless access to a
cloud-based on-demand
connectivity service that
is fully compliant with the
latest GSMA specifications.
Customers will enjoy the
best possible connected
experience with eSIM-enabled
devices, from the moment
they are switched on for the
first time.
Karim Tabbouche, Chief
Commercial Officer for VIVA
Bahrain said, “We continue
to adopt innovative and
latest trends in technology
to enhance our customers
experiences. The adoption
of Gemalto’s eSIM remote
subscription management
platform represents the
latest stage of this ongoing
strategy, and builds
on our already successful
partnership.”
Sherry Zameer, SVP for
IoT in CISMEA at Gemalto
mentioned, “With billions
of machines and people
now requiring round-theclock
connectivity, remote
subscription management
is key to an enhanced
user experience. With the
deployment of Gemalto’s
proven solution, Viva Bahrain
is reinforcing its position at
the forefront of the industrial
and consumer IoT market.”
Khameesna Zain
Zain Bahrain, a leading
telecommunications
provider in the Kingdom, has
confirmed its commitment
to Bahrain's entrepreneurial
sector with the continuation
of its "Khameesna Zain"
initiative. Since its first
edition, "Khameesna Zain"
has provided a solid platform
for small businesses to
increase their customer
reach by providing them with
opportunities to showcase their
products to new audiences.
Through "Khameesna
Zain", small businesses are
invited to participate in events
at Zain Bahrain's headquarters
in Seef, where members
of the public are invited
to experience the various
offerings of the Kingdom's
enterprising entrepreneurs.
Zain Bahrain also promotes
the event through its social
media channels, @zainbahrain
on Twitter, zainbahrain on
Batelco Group signs SPA with Kuwait
Telecommunications to sell 90% shares of QualityNet
Batelco, the regional
telecommunications
group with operations across
14 countries, announced it
has signed a Share Purchase
Agreement (SPA) with
Kuwait Telecommunications
Company (VIVA) to sell its 90%
Abdulla Al Khalifa
Director, Communication
& Investor Relations, Zain
Bahrain
shareholding of its Kuwait
subsidiary, QualityNet General
Trading and Contracting
Company W.L.L (QualityNet).
The price consideration
will be determined upon
completion of the full transfer
of shares and fulfillment of
Instagram, and www.facebook.
com/ZainBahrain, providing
participating businesses
with further exposure to its
substantial online following.
The initiative falls in
line with Zain Bahrain's
commitment to supporting
local businesses and meets
the company's ambitions
towards the realisation of the
United Nation Development
Programme's Sustainable
Development Goals -
particularly Goal 8, which
promotes decent work and
economic growth.
Abdulla Al Khalifa,
Director, Communication
& Investor Relations, Zain
Bahrain said, "We are part
of the fabric of the Bahraini
community, and we want to
provide opportunities that
enable success for businesses
of all sizes. Small enterprises
have a large role to play in the
economic development and
growth of the Kingdom, and we
are committed to supporting
them in meaningful ways
that will help them to grow.
"Khameesna Zain" is just one
way in which we can provide
small businesses with a boost,
and we are pleased to continue
this successful platform to help
more entrepreneurial ventures."
To find out more about
"Khameesna Zain", including
upcoming events and how
to participate, follow Zain
Bahrain's social media
channels.
the terms, conditions and
covenants agreed between the
parties in the SPA.
Moreover, QualityNet’s
shares will be transferred
to VIVA after obtaining the
necessary regulatory approvals
in the State of Kuwait.
52 May-June 2019