LEADERS' SUMMIT 2024

The Industry is witnessing a deluge of new technologies, applications, mobile and fixed-line infrastructure advancements, super-efficient energy technologies, and advanced computing systems, demonstrating how other industries could be reshaped and how new paradigms in intelligent working, secure digital environment, and sustainability driven initiatives could be put into effect by the private sector and the government sector decisionmakers.

This panel discussion among business leaders aims to gain multiple perspectives from business, regulatory, and policy side in view of latest advancements and anticipated new possibilities among key industry players.

Potential areas to delve into include:

1. National policy and regulatory plans for future infrastructure development (e.g., 10Giga)
2. Telecom Operators’ focus on AI implementation, securing networks and end-users, and sustainable operations and service delivery
3. Collective responsibilities and expectations in view of technology emergence, infrastructure advancements, and complexities arising in the digital environment

As the telecom sector continues to evolve, a key focus is on sustainable digital transformation, which plays a crucial role in addressing global environmental challenges. The telecom industry is uniquely positioned to mitigate greenhouse gases significantly, not only in its operations but also by enabling other sectors to lower their emissions through innovative digital products and services. With the potential to beneficially exploit the power of AI, emerging ICT talent, and to help customers lower their carbon footprint, the ICT industry is at crossroads where it can both contribute to and benefit from sustainable development.

This panel discussion will focus on defining “sustainable digital transformation” with its multiple, complex undertones, especially relating to:

1. How can telcos and digital service providers leverage cloud and IoT technologies to enhance sustainability and drive top-line growth?
2. In what ways can technology integration and agility in the telco sector contribute to reducing the industry’s carbon footprint?
3. What are the monetization opportunities for telecom companies in offering green digital services?
4. How can investment in ICT talent support sustainable digital transformation in the sector?
5. What role do telecom companies play in fostering a sustainable and circular economy?

In our increasingly connected world, where digital interactions and transactions are the norm, the telecom sector’s role in ensuring cybersecurity has never been more critical. This hyper-connected environment brings not only opportunities for innovation and business growth but also heightened risks for cybersecurity threats. The Leaders’ Roundtable on Cyber Resilience will delve into how telecom companies can transform these challenges into business opportunities, focusing on innovative cybersecurity solutions and Protection Use cases to propel business success.

This roundtable discussion will focus on the positive impact of cybersecurity investment on business success and examine Protection Use cases as catalysts for business growth for telecom operators.

1. How can telecom businesses leverage cybersecurity as an opportunity for innovation and new services?
2. What are the successful business use cases where enhanced cybersecurity measures have driven growth?
3. How can telecom companies balance the investment in cybersecurity with the potential for new revenue generation?
4. What strategies can telecom businesses employ to enhance customer trust and loyalty through robust cybersecurity measures?
5. How can cyber resilience act as a competitive advantage in the telecom industry?
6. What is the typical signaling vulnerabilities and how it impacts network security?
7. What measures can be implemented to detect and prevent signaling attacks?
8. What are the challenges in securing legacy signaling systems (2G & 3G) versus modern IP-based networks (4G & 5G)?
9. How can collaboration between industry stakeholders improve signaling security across the telecom ecosystem?

The telecom landscape in the GCC region is at the cusp of a transformative era, heralded by the harmonization of the 6 GHz spectrum as determined by the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23). This harmonization across ITU regions represents a significant leap in potential for the 5G ecosystem and paves the way for the advent of 6G technologies. The decisions made at WRC-23 about the 6 GHz spectrum are critical for the expansion of mobile broadband globally, addressing the digital divide, and supporting sustainable connectivity. As the GCC region moves forward, it stands to gain from this harmonization, which promises enhanced mobile broadband capabilities, economic growth, and a more equitable digital future.

In this context, the GCC’s 6 GHz Opportunity roundtable, a by-invitation-only meeting, led by TDRA-UAE, will delve into the implications of the WRC-23 outcomes for the telecom sector and the supporting wider ecosystem.

The open discussion will explore:

1. The impact of the 6 GHz spectrum harmonization on the development and deployment of 5G and future 6G networks in the GCC region.
2. . How the telecom sector can utilize this new spectrum allocation for creating new value and driving economic growth.
3. The challenges and opportunities for regional telecom operators in adapting to this expanded spectrum range.
4. The role of the 6 GHz band in achieving digital equality and sustainable development in the GCC region.
5. Steps that regional policymakers and industry leaders should take to effectively implement WRC-23 decisions, focusing on the 6 GHz spectrum.

This discussion is critical in the backdrop of growing global connectivity needs and the vital role of spectrum management in meeting these demands, particularly in a region as dynamic as the GCC.

Effective collaboration between governments, private sector, and international organizations is vital for advancing sustainable development initiatives. In this context, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and SAMENA Telecommunications Council are taking their collaboration forward to advance Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) initiative in the Arab region. Alongside this initiative, there is a need to understand on-ground needs of the region, and how various technologies can be integrated on infrastructure to power sustainable digital development.

Several areas are directly impacted by the integration of technologies and partnered focus on sustainability, particularly, education, healthcare, essential services, and the scale of achievable digital innovation in the Arab region.

This roundtable, led by UNDP, aims to engage diverse digital development partners to help mobilize resources, expertise, and make progress in digital transformation, infrastructure development, and integration of latest technologies to empower human progress.

With over 300 commercial 5G networks already deployed globally and advancements continuing, the shift from 5G to 5G-Advanced is poised to revolutionize network capabilities and user experiences. While 5G laid the groundwork for faster speeds and more reliable connections, 5G-Advanced is set to push these boundaries further, offering significant enhancements in terms of network efficiency, coverage, and performance. This next phase in mobile network evolution is not just an incremental upgrade; it embodies a leap forward in integrating artificial intelligence, improving network flexibility, and enabling more complex and varied use cases. From smart cities to advanced industrial applications, 5G-Advanced is expected to be a catalyst for innovative digital solutions across sectors.

This session will delve into the multifaceted progression from 5G to 5G-Advanced, examining both the technological advancements and the practical implications of this transition. Specific focus will be on paving the way forward for a sustainable, technology-driven future encompassing 5.5G, F5.5G, and Net5.5G deployment scenarios. Sessions dedicated to 5.5G will also explore advancements in standards, network planning, application scenarios, and showcasing successful case implementations and studies.

Questions to be explored:

1. What are the key technical improvements 5G-Advanced offers over standard 5G networks?
2. How can industries effectively leverage 5G-Advanced for transformative use cases?
3. In the 5.5G era, where both mobile and fixed-line network technologies synergistically are working to generate new possibilities, what regulatory and business challenges must be addressed immediately?
4. What are the major challenges in deploying 5G-Advanced networks and how can they be overcome?
5. . How will the finalization of 3GPP Release 18 and upcoming Release 19 specifications impact the rollout of 5G-Advanced?
6. What lessons have been learned from real-world trials of 5G-Advanced networks?

In the ever-evolving Space & Satellite Ecosystem, the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks is a key focus, offering enhanced global connectivity and resilience. This sector is witnessing a surge in investment opportunities and innovative business models, driven by the need for sustainable space activities and international collaboration. With the advent of direct-to-device (D2D) technologies, the line between consumer-grade cell phones and satellites is blurring, fostering what many call "the great convergence". The deployment of Low- and Mid-Earth Orbit (LEO/MEO) satellite constellations is instrumental in this transformation, enabling continuous service and widespread coverage. This session will explore how these advancements are shaping the future of space commercialization and the broader impact on global communication networks and sustainability of space.

The discussion will focus on two aspects of the Space Ecosystem: Sustainability (especially space sustainability) and NTN Integration.

First half of roundtable (25 Mins) – Sustainability imperatives are many, with various stakeholders operating in space requiring alignment on how to maintain access to and usability of space to catalyze multifarious benefits.

Second half of roundtable (35 Mins) – Non-terrestrial Networks and Terrestrial Network Integration will come under discussion with following considerations:

1. NTNs and TN complementarity to deliver connectivity everywhere
2. WDevelopments and objective of implementing advanced 5G & the future 6G technology
3. Stakeholders’ collaboration & incentives to deploy at global scale

As the landscape of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and emerging technologies undergoes rapid transformation, the discussion on Digital Innovation & Choice stands at the forefront of shaping this change. The roundtable will delve into the complexities of regulating a fast-paced tech environment, highlighting the opportunities for local economies, businesses and communities within this global narrative. This conversation is vital in shaping a digital world that is not only advanced and innovative but also inclusive and equitable, catering to both global and local needs. This panel places a strong emphasis on how forward-looking and adaptable regulatory frameworks can drive a sustainable and effective digital transformation. Recognizing the critical need for regulations that enable innovation and consumer choice, the discussion will also focus on fostering local value generation and capture, ensuring that the benefits of this digital leap are felt at the community level.

The discussion will focus on the nexus of innovation, consumer protection, and local economic growth, underpinned by progressive regulatory frameworks.

The discussion will aim to unpack:

1. How can regulatory frameworks be crafted to encourage innovation while ensuring the benefits of digital advancements are felt locally?
2. What strategies can be employed to ensure that local businesses and communities benefit from the digital transformation?
3. In balancing global technological progress with local value creation, what role do regulatory bodies play?
4. How can regulations help in creating a digital ecosystem that is both globally competitive and locally beneficial?

The ICT Financial Roundtable, centered on exploring the application of a comprehensive Financing Framework for broadband infrastructure in the region, developed with the collaboration of SAMENA Council, draws its insights from the successful models detailed in the “Financing Opportunities for 4G/5G Investment in Africa” report. The objective of the discussion is to examine how the foundational elements of this framework, which have been agreed upon by a diverse group of stakeholders including the industry, finance sector, regulators, telecom operators, and development banks, and which was facilitated through SAMENA Council’s consensus-building efforts, can be adapted and implemented in the Arab Region, particularly in areas that remain unserved or underserved within the SA-ME-NA region, generally.

As an integral part of the Leaders’ Summit, this by-invitation-only roundtable on Financing Framework, Contributors & Collaboration Possibilities is being organized by SAMENA Council to focus on operationalizing comprehensive financial strategies to close the global connectivity gap. This roundtable during the Summit will leverage the Universal Framework for Broadband Infrastructure Financing; a product of the Broadband Commission’s 21st Century report recommendations and an implementation of the UN Broadband Commission’s 2023 Annual Meeting outcomes. Aiming to craft a practical blueprint for broadband financing in various regions, the roundtable will prioritize shared insights and proven successes to inspire collective action and custom-fit solutions, while exploring extension of the framework’s application from pilot projects in Rwanda and Nigeria to the Arab and ASEAN regions, to advance digital equity and transformation across diverse landscapes.

The Leaders’ One-on-One Fireside Chat will offer a dive into the future of ICT and emerging tech trends, particularly as they relate to sustainable development and digital transformation. This year’s discussion will be shaped by key insights from various technology trends that are expected to significantly impact both the industry and society at large.

These conversations, conducted by SAMENA Council, will pick up on several strategic trends for 2024-2025, which include 5G investment monetization and a widespread focus on AI, Sustainable Technology, and overall situation of the Industry. These trends underscore the increasing integration of AI in various business processes and the critical need for sustainable approaches in technology deployment.

Industry assessment points to AI’s widespread applications, super-efficient solar cells, and advanced computing systems, offers a glimpse into how these innovations could reshape industries and drive sustainable growth. Similarly, there is expert consensus that points technology becoming more human-centric and intuitive. This change is expected to open new avenues for both consumers and businesses, emphasizing the need for technology that is not only advanced but also accessible and inclusive.

During the chat, the leaders will likely explore how these trends can be harnessed to foster sustainable digital transformation, particularly in the telecom sector. The discussion could delve into the potential of AI and cloud computing in transforming business models, the importance of ensuring data security and ethical AI deployment, and the ways in which technological advancements can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable digital future.

By examining these trends and their implications, the Fireside Chat is set to provide valuable insights into the future directions of ICT and digital innovation, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in achieving sustainable and inclusive digital growth.