Page 37 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

insights and a comprehensive explanation sustainability and digital transformation Technology and Innovation Management
of why cities must pursue the technology. goals, they can take confidence that others Lead at Arthur D. Little MEI. “Besides
ADL highlights that 5G implementation are already paving the way for them to learn addressing sustainability barriers, regional
frameworks must address two main from and improve on.” Cities defining well- cities are advancing new needs and
points. Firstly, cities must decide which 5G grounded 5G strategies will significantly capability requirements, and in doing so,
use cases are of strategic importance to increase citizens' living standards, boost creating working opportunities for young
them and whether they should be provided attractiveness for businesses, and drive talent and shaping a bright future for
by the city itself. Secondly, cities must industrial, public, and business-related use tomorrow’s business ecosystems. Hence,
overcome 5G infrastructural challenges cases. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the positive outcomes being delivered
by building infrastructure or supporting Jebel Ali Free Zone is transforming through by such use cases are sure to help cities
telecom operators’ efforts to carry out the the development and implementation unlock 5G’s full potential in due course.
same mandate. Should these areas not be of smart applications, including drone Some cities will bring similar projects to
addressed, people and businesses may monitoring and employee geo-location life based on their models, which will move
view relocation as the answer to declines in systems. At the same time, Dubai Silicon them closer to a new era of sustainability.”
competitiveness and quality of life caused Oasis has become a recognized proof “Is your city ready to go digital? How
by insufficient technological infrastructure of concept (POC) destination for several 5G use cases will unleash your city’s
coverage in their city. However, new innovative city projects, with public and full potential” also sheds light on the
applications based on 5G can make private sector collaborations continuing extensive possibilities that accompany
valuable contributions in tackling the to yield positive impacts and outcomes. 5G, highlighting several use cases across
challenges above, ultimately preventing Besides such partnerships ensuring critical national sectors such as public
residents and organizations from seeking proper technological integration, the transport, public safety, healthcare,
opportunities elsewhere. “Across the community has also served as a hub for energy, education, tourism, retail, media,
Middle East, we see cities facing population, successful autonomous vehicles testing and agriculture. Furthermore, the report
pollution, urbanization, and infrastructure with the provided 5G network. Similarly, in reveals the technical feature requirements
issues. If they continue to exacerbate at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), 5G is of 5G-based solutions, including spectral
current rates, many people are sure to anticipated to play a major role in industry efficiency, low latency, high device density,
look elsewhere to live, and economies will digitalization. Yanbu Industrial City and high data rates, lower power consumption,
suffer from businesses going in the same King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) are considerable bandwidth, and strong
direction,” said Andrea Faggiano, Partner, two developments that have announced reliability. “Although cities may currently
Telecom, Information, Media & Electronics new partnerships with ICT companies be facing daunting prospects in worst-
Practice Lead at Arthur D. Little Middle to build and integrate 5G infrastructure case scenarios, unfolding 5G use cases
East & India. “Fortunately, this scenario for advanced manufacturing purposes. are showing residents and businesses
hasn’t yet transpired. There are plenty of Flexibility and the continued automation of that promising prospects lay ahead in
reasons for us to be optimistic, and one of robots for manufacturing and warehouse the coming years,” concluded Dr. Khoury.
these is 5G. Because the technology can transportation hinges on cutting-edge “By promoting 5G use case development
help cities overcome such problems, it can capabilities, and 5G will be crucial to and providing all the necessary support,
ensure they become attractive places to facilitating advancements and paving the infrastructure advancements can be
live and work not just for ourselves, but way for this new wave of industrialization accelerated, and associated benefits
also for the next generation. What’s equally or what is known as Industry 4.0 where capitalized on. 5G is without doubt a
encouraging is that 5G use cases are smart digital technologies transform unique infrastructure gateway for cities to
coming to fruition in numerous countries, traditional practices. “These examples realize their full potential, and in doing so,
serving as sources of inspiration for mirror the futuristic roadmaps that Middle transform digitally to the status of ‘smart
others to follow. As city leaders establish Eastern cities are pursuing,” explained cities’ in a more expedious manner.”
a 5G blueprint that helps achieve their Dr. Raymond Khoury, Partner, Digital

Arthur D. Little Strengthens Digital Teams in France and Belgium to Support

Post-COVID-19 Initiatives

Arthur D. Little (ADL) announced the recovery strategies, and ADL believes the development of digital strategies;
expansion and strengthening of its there is a greater need than ever for the design of data-enabled products, as
digital teams in France and Belgium, with expert guidance in this area. ADL’s digital well as data valorization and data-driven
a number of new consultants having teams aim to help companies in every efficiency improvements; the set-up
recently been appointed. The ongoing sector innovate by harnessing the power of customer-centric business models,
digitalization of services, communications of new technologies. The new members customer and commercial excellence
and working practices is a key tenet of of the French and Belgian teams bring a programs; and company transformations.
European companies’ post-COVID-19 wealth of experience with them, including Vincent Bamberger, Managing Partner of

37 APRIL-MAY 2021