Page 22 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

stc Group to Deploy Cloud Gaming Solution Across MENA

stc Group will deploy Blacknut’s B2B/B2B2C cloud gaming solution
across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, following
its successful collaboration with cloud infrastructure provider
Radian Arc in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. stc Group said that the
partnership with Blacknut will allow the company to “bring gaming
into its entertainment ecosystem in a seamless, personalized and
secured manner.” For Blacknut, working with stc Group not only
represents an important expansion in the MENA region, but also
mean the opportunity to co-develop new gamer-centric and social
features. “Partnering with such a prestigious company as stc Group
to develop the MENA Cloud Gaming ecosystem is the logical next
step in our growth as we see exponential demand in the region,”
said Olivier Avaro, CEO at Blacknut. “The partnership will allow us
to leverage stc Group experience and existing user-base, as well
as to expand our functionalities to offer new exciting ways to play
and interact together.” The promise of cloud gaming, which refers
to running a game on a nearby server and streaming it to the player,
is that it frees the player from the confines of relying on a computer
or console with powerful, expensive graphics and hardware. This
promise, though, depends on delivering a console-like experience,
and therefore, the quality and reliability of a gamer’s connectivity
is paramount. 5G is expected to offer the required low latency and
high-speed connectivity, as well as the ability to handle the high
data demands expected from gaming platform subscribers, that
this segment needs. According to Fortune Business Insights, the
global cloud gaming market is projected to grow from $3.24 billion
in 2022 to $40.81 billion by 2029. The firm cites the COVID-19
pandemic as a contributing factor to the higher-than-anticipated
demand for this service, which it says is present across all regions.

stc Enables Future Technologies with Global Investments and Partnerships
at LEAP23

The global technology conference "LEAP23" concluded its agreements included the signing of several partnerships with
functions by announcing significant global partnerships and the government sector, most notably an agreement for strategic
a billion investments to support future technologies, digital cooperation in digital transformation & infrastructure, investment,
entrepreneurship and technology startups to achieve the Kingdom's and development of wireless communications with the Ministry
Vision 2030 in diversifying the economy, localizing technology and of National Guard, and an additional agreement with the Royal
progressing industries. stc group had the most significant portion Commission for Al-Ula Governorate to cover Wadi Ashar with 5G
of the conference, as it concluded its participation in the LEAP 2023 technologies and an agreement with King Abdullah Economic City
conference by signing more than 40 agreements and showcasing
several innovative services and technologies that contribute to
accelerating the digital transformation of the public and private
sectors. During the event, the group presented advanced and secure
technology solutions contributing to the digital empowerment
of various business sectors. stc announced its cooperation with
major global and local companies, including Huawei, Ericsson,
Samsung, Telefónica, Motorola, Airbus, Go Telecom, Sky Five for
Air to ground internet services, and Oracle to update database
technologies and accelerate the cloud transfer operation. Moreover,
stc signed an agreement with Lucid, the electric car manufacturer,
to provide customer communications services. It also signed
a strategic partnership with Blacknut to increase awareness of
cloud gaming solutions among individuals and businesses. The

22 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023