Meetings Archive

Convergence to Oman 2013

"The Power of Digitization"
Key enabler for socio-economic growth in the SAMENA Region

This year, SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s annual conference “Convergence”, Oman Dec 2013, will vindicate the council’s sensitivity to the importance of the industry convergence, gathering industry experts and market leaders to discuss “The Power of Digitization”.

The domains of technology have diverged into an endless array of directional possibilities. The telecoms & ICT industry has grown through innovation gaining its motivation from the need to continually grow and improve to serve end users. In an extremely competitive industry, it's important to take the lead and collaborate to allow the industry to transcend innovation to the next stage. It is crucial to widen the horizons to look at the collective picture to ensure that all spheres of the industry are analyzed, explored and tapped to identify a road map for progression. The recent trends in the industry are explicating the importance of integration of various technological strands to deliver innovative solutions. The need of the hour is to collaborate to create a knowledge intensive pool to allow the industry to develop a more informed and innovative direction complimenting the competition.

“Convergence” will underpin the Council’s strategic stance on “Dgitization” as an incentive for continuing network infrastructure investments and a key enabler for socio-economic growth in the SAMENA region.

Topics to be discussed at "Convergence to Oman 2013" include:

  • Convergence of regulations / next-generation ICT policies: Cornerstone of digital ecosystem
  • International roaming rates: Regional exchange and agreements to achieve quality excellence and maximize efficiency
  • Building an efficient strategic M2M ecosystem
  • Cyber security: Role of governments and operators in ensuring secure and stable ICT network, services and applications
  • Spectrum harmonization: Wider coverage - cost efficiency – affordable handsets
  • Content stakeholders cooperation - Sustainable internet business model value chain
  • Infrastructure sharing for broadband development: Limits duplication and gears investment toward underserved areas
  • Satellite broadband reach the unreachable: High-speed - always-on - bi-directional
  • Emergence of cloud services: Impact on operators’ business model
  • Internet governance: Enabling a truly multi stakeholder dialogue for an interoperable internet
  • Introduction
  • Categories
  • Committee Members
  • Winners

Introduction

SAMENA Awards, now in the Fifth year, are a way to recognize leadership and excellence in the telecommunications sectors of the South Asia – Middle East – North Africa (SAMENA) region. The awards are bestowed upon the most deserving telecoms organizations professionals, assessed after meticulous performance-based evaluation. Both the SAMENA Awards Evaluation Committee (AEC) and the general public have the power to decide the winners. There are four categories of awards: Telecom Operator Awards ( 9 Awards) , Vendors/Manufacturer Awards (1 Award) , Regulator Awards (1 Award), Satellite Providers Awards ( 1 Award) and Individual Awards (3 Awards), SAMENA Council created the Awards Committee by inviting a group of leading professionals drawn from across the telecommunications industry to serve as members of the committee.

The Awards Committee is tasked with providing guidance and facilitating the process for the selection of the award winners, with the close involvement and participation of the membership of SAMENA.

Purpose of the Award

  • To recognize leadership and astute decision-making within the SAMENA region
  • To help assess and inspire telecommunications developments in the region and beyond
  • To enable SAMENA to become a recognized body that encourages and supports innovations in telecommunications and that facilitates greater part of the industry-wide make SAMENA vital and imperative to take decisions

Emergence of Cloud Services

Andre Popov

Partner - Peppers and Rogers Group
Dubai, UAE

Download

Digital Eco-System Creating a Sense of Urgency

Andrea Faggiano

Principal
ADL

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Internet Governance

George Salama

Senior Manager, Public Policy
SAMENA Council

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Nick Horton

Managing Director, Middle East and North Africa
Blackberry

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Spectrum Harmonization

Noel Kirkaldy

Head of Wireless Broadband Strategy and Business Development Middle East Region
Nokia Siemens

Download

Connected Living Programme Summar

Peter Lyons

Director Middle east and North Africa
GSM Association

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Nick Horton
Managing Director, Middle East and North Africa
Blackberry

Thank you for the opportunity to attend SAMENA Convergence to Oman 2013. The calibre of attendees, networking opportunities and the spirited discussions through the panel sessions really mark this gathering out. I look forward to participating in future events.

Mr. Greg Young
CEO,
Nawras

SAMENA recognises the benefit and importance of maintaining dialogue between the regulators and key industry players. Such dialogue shapes policy, which in turn enables the industry to deliver competitive and innovative services to the market, in a timely and efficient manner.

Dr. Hamad Salim Al Rawahi
Executive President
TRA Oman

SAMENA’s digitization sessions consisting of the panel discussions were both contextual and timely that is hoped to prime the operators and regulators (including policy makers) to work together to enhance the competitiveness’ of their respective businesses and consumer satisfaction levels. It is recommended that SAMENA works further to promote regional collaboration platforms to derive the benefits of digitization efforts and measures to enhance them

Rayyan Al Hashmi
VP Regulatory affairs Corporate Affairs
Etisalat

My sincere thanks to all panel members and our host in addition to SAMENA for this opportunity.

Rashid AL Ahmedi
Director - External Affairs - Corporate Affairs
du

Thanks for giving me the opportunity and for the good hospitality

Nabil Baccouche
Vice President & Managing Director
MEA Syniverse

Thanks again for the interesting discussion during the panelist session and to Bocar and the Samena Council Team for the invitation and giving us the opportunity to speak during the event.
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