Page 45 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia Leads in Global 5G Speed and Coverage

Saudi Arabia leads globally in terms of 414.2Mbps — 14 times faster than 4G — 5G found users in Saudi Arabia were at the
5G speed and coverage, according to followed by South Korea (312.7Mbps), top of the list, spending 34.4 percent of
a study conducted by OpenSignal, an Australia (215.7 Mbps) and Taiwan (210.2 their time connected to 5G services.
independent UK-based mobile analytics Mbps). OpenSignal's measurement of the
company specializing in quantifying amount of time that users spent on 4G and
mobile network experience. OpenSignal
looked at 5G speeds in isolation and also
in combination with 4G use; the company
also looked at the amount of time users
spend connected to 4G and 5G in the 12
countries/regions studied. Saudi Arabia,
South Korea, Australia, the United States,
the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Germany,
Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada,
Hong Kong and Taiwan were included in
the study. As far as the overall download
speed was concerned, users in Saudi
Arabia experienced 144.5Mbps, much
ahead of Canada. This measure covered
both 4G and 5G as it was looking at total
use. Considering 5G alone, Saudi Arabia
was again at the head of the rankings with

Steps Sought to Speed Up Digital Transformation in Bahrain

Bahrain needs to develop legislative allowed to be increased in keeping with partnerships (joint ventures) at the present
infrastructure to speed up digital the current situation and the major shift time to reduce losses incurred due to the
transformation in e-commerce, the towards business automation after the spread of the global pandemic. Merged
country’s main association of business pandemic. Calling raising the level of food companies are better able to remain in
owners has said. In its latest report on security a national priority, the BCCI has the market, reduce their expenses, and
the economic impact of the coronavirus also requested that the private sector get have enough liquidity to meet operating
crisis, the Bahrain Chamber for Commerce more support to increase investment in the obligations, it said. Companies would do
and Industry (BCCI) has also urged the food sector. The business community has well to use the liquidity to take advantage
government to bring in laws that provide also sought official recognition for remote of opportunities available in the market,
more support for intellectual property communication programmes, virtual especially high demand commodities,
and trademark protection and bring meetings and direct learning, which would and investing in what is needed, at the
about improvements in communications help ensuring implementation of such same time they should eliminate or reduce
infrastructure and digital networks. projects. For businesses struggling to cope all excess fixed costs such as rent and
The country needs an ecosystem that with the slump, the chamber has advised variable operating costs. They must also
encourages the financial sector to administrative flexibility and changing avoid restrictions on the movement of
provide easy and accessible digital the business model. It said today’s world human capital and ensure that appropriate
banking services, said the chamber in demands that enterprises have the ability occupational health and safety
its list of recommendations to overcome to adapt to new situations and procedures requirements are followed to reduce risks,
the Covid-19 crisis. After the recovery, to serve business interests, develop skills the BCCI has recommended. Finally, the
reliance on new technology will increase and encourage innovation. To make the chamber has urged telecom companies to
the risks of cybercrime and consequently most of the trend of digital transformation, develop attractive packages allowing more
the private sector will need help from the companies must look at applications and companies to go for digital transformation,
governments to manage these risks and learning e-marketing methods, adopting ranging from websites and electronic
reduce the effects. The Bahrain Chamber is digitalization responsibly and safely, applications, incentives to migrate to the
calling for a revision to the list of business and entering the world of e-commerce. cloud, automating business processes
activities permitted under the virtual CR The BCCI has also advised businesses (CRM, ERP, POS), to risk management and
system. It wants the number of activities to seek out merger options or strategic cost optimization.

45 AUGUST 2020