Page 34 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGIONAL NEWS

UAE Ranks Global 2nd in Telecom Sector Quality

The UAE concluded 2020 by achieving global leadership
in telecom sector quality and evolution, where the country
maintained the first place in the Arab region and regionally, and
came second globally for the second consecutive year in "Use of
telecommunications/ICTs", which measures the efficiency and
evolution of the telecommunications sector in countries around
the world as part of the Global Competitiveness Report issued
by the World Economic Forum. This achievement also reflects
the efforts of the Telecommunications and Digital Government
Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in implementing the directives
and vision of UAE’s wise leadership to up the readiness of the
telecommunications sector to leverage modern technology in the
country, especially 5G, where the UAE ranked 1st in the Arab Region
and 4th globally in launching and using 5G networks. All this
thanks to the cooperation and coordination with mobile operators
to deploy and operate 5G networks, and the continued work and
collaboration with service providers in the country (Etisalat and
du) to develop the telecommunications infrastructure in keeping
pace with future requirements, thus contributing to the on-going
global leadership of the UAE in this sector. Commenting on this
milestone, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TDRA Director General, said, regulatory frameworks in mitigating the effects of the pandemic,
"We conclude this year with such proud achievement, emphasizing as countries with robust regulatory frameworks were more
the significance of the ICT sector in the strategic thinking of successful in dealing with the pandemic, and the UAE ranked fourth
our wise leadership, based on the belief that spearheading the globally in "digital legal frameworks", according to the report.
telecom sector paves the way for excellence and leadership in all The continuing leadership of UAE’s telecommunications sector
various vital sectors, meaning enabling digital transformation and despite the exceptional circumstances of this year witnessed
easing conditions for providing AI-based services and solutions, is evidence of the resilience, development and efficiency of the
and big data. We have all been walking in the path of development, telecommunications sector in the UAE, which has passed the
prosperity and digital knowledge, and today we are moving at a recovery stage moving towards development of prosperity. TDRA
faster pace relying on a highly-advanced digital infrastructure. Al developed plans and strategies that contribute in bolstering the
Mansoori also added, "Today we live in the year of preparing for telecommunications sector infrastructure, believing in the pivotal
the next fifty, as envisaged by the wise leadership to be a year of role that this sector plays in achieving the national agenda of UAE
innovation, creativity and overcoming the impossible, a year for Vision 2021. Companies operating telecommunications services
developing a great plan and strategy that meet the aspirations in the country have allocated a monumental budget for investment
of the Emirati people. During this year, government and private in infrastructure amounting to AED 36 billion, which made the
entities and even individuals worked in a team spirit to present country own an infrastructure among the best in the world in
the best creative ideas to chart the future of the country for the terms of providing "fiber" services and coverage in general. All of
next 50 years. Most of those ideas were based on the ICT sector, this comes in preparation for the upcoming entitlements of UAE
confirming the importance of what we have accomplished in the Centennial. "The evolution of the telecom infrastructure was a
sector, and pushing us further in achieving more achievements." key enabler that contributed to business continuity of vital and
The report touched on the performance of world's countries commercial sectors in the country during the past months, as well
during COVID-19, and how social distancing was the immediate as raising UAE's readiness for future changes and technology,
response in countries to confront the pandemic. Consequently, the while enabling the UAE to easily adapt to variables, adopt smart
telecommunications and digital services sector had an important techniques such as distance learning and remote working,
role in countries' ability to remotely manage their economic and provide services ensuring the natural pace of work, and provide
vital sectors and continue business efficiently. Economies that opportunities for growth and progress. The UAE ranked first in the
have relied on advanced telecommunications infrastructure, world in 12 global competitiveness indicators that measure the
technology, and the provision of digital services over the Internet quality and development of the telecommunications sector in the
have been less affected than others by the dire conditions the countries of the world, and ranked among the top five countries in
world has experienced. The report pointed to the central role of 30 global competitive indicators by the end of 2020.

34 DECEMBER 2020