Page 17 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Etisalat Ready to Serve the "New Normal" Accelerating Digital Trans-

formation and Adoption

Etisalat is ready to serve the ‘New Normal’ pushing the fast forward event brought together all relevant strategic stake holders from the
button on digital transformation by focusing on partnerships, telecom and technology industry including senior executives from
collaborations, and investments with digital adoption being key for TRA, Ministry of Interior, Smart Dubai, Department of Economic
new digital services, said Dr. Ahmed Bin Ali, Senior Vice President, Development (DED), Dubai Future Foundation, Khalifa University,
Corporate Communications, Etisalat Group. Bin Ali participated University of Dubai, Federal Competitiveness and Statistics
on behalf of Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chief Strategy and Corporate Authority, Microsoft and Noon. He highlighted the readiness and
Governance, Etisalat Group at the ‘The Telecommunications resilience of Etisalat during the pandemic, the main focus was to
Sector and its impact on Future Foresight Post COVID 19’, a virtual support the entire community including business and individuals
future foresight forum organised by UAE’s Telecom Regulatory ensuring its network and services enable business and learning
Authority (TRA) and UAE International Investors Council. The continuity. During the period May-Feb 2020, Etisalat’s network
witnessed an increase in traffic of more than 300 percent in
communication and collaboration solutions where as in Internet
gaming it touched 500 percent. With work and study from home
becoming a norm there was a surge in traffic of more than 90
percent in video streaming and social media. “Thanks to the UAE
vision and Etisalat's strategy of ‘Driving the digital future to enable
societies’, our network joined one of the most robust and digitally
equipped to address the unique requirements during this period
making it possible for businesses to work remotely, millions
of students to enjoy distance learning and all citizens having
access to vital services. Through our networks and dedicated
teams we were geared to fully support and serve the community
showcasing infrastructure preparedness and our ability to adapt
and implement during today's extraordinary times,” said Bin Ali.

Etisalat Participates in World Summit on Information Society Forum 2020

Etisalat participated in World Summit on Information Society showcased the country’s resilience and readiness in dealing with
(WSIS) Forum’s special session on UAE focusing on the country’s this global crisis. Etisalat supported the government by enabling
readiness and resilience for pandemics with its advanced telecom solutions and services that allowed consumers and businesses
network and infrastructure ready to serve the ‘New Normal’ to study and work from home in the most efficient manner. This
supporting all consumers and businesses to continue studying was possible due to our continuous focus on innovation as part
and working from home. Rayyan Alhashmi, Vice President, of the strategy ‘Driving the digital future to empower societies’
Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Strategy and Governance, Etisalat embedded within our DNA manifested across the business.”
joined this global virtual session of the WSIS Forum that During the pandemic, Etisalat’s main focus was to support the
represents the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for entire community including business and individuals ensuring
development’ community. This forum being held since 22 June its network and services enable business and learning continuity.
2020 will continue until 10 September 2020 is co-organized by During the period May-Feb 2020, Etisalat’s network witnessed an
ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all increase in traffic of more than 300 percent in communication and
WSIS action line facilitators. The focus of the forum is to foster collaboration solutions where as in Internet gaming it touched 500
digital transformation and global partnerships with WSIS action percent. With work and study from home becoming a norm there
lines to achieve sustainable development goals. The event brought was a surge in traffic of more than 90 percent in video streaming
together multi-stakeholders, share best practices and develop and social media. Etisalat worked closely with the Ministry of
public/private partnerships to advance these goals. The global Education to provide zero rate access to educational URLs and
event will provide structured opportunities to network, learn and free mobile data for students. There was also free access to
participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations the Madrasa platform on eLife and remote learning apps. For
on WSIS implementations. Two special sessions focused on the healthcare sector there was a telemedicine platform made
UAE highlighting projects from various eGovernment projects available to support hospitals and clinics in providing remote
of various government entities in the country and its readiness healthcare services. IoT/AI platforms were used for disease
to counter pandemics. Alhashmi shared insights on how the containment, AI video analytics including thermal cameras and
country and the telecom infrastructure are ready to face the ‘New wearable IoT solutions were among the other advance solutions
Normal’ with one of the most advanced networks in the world. used for the sector.
“During the pandemic, UAE’s government’s leadership and vision

17 AUGUST 2020