Page 27 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

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Batelco Introduces ‘B Spectrum’ Service

Batelco, part of the Beyon Group, has introduced ‘B Spectrum’, an current data connectivity solutions, Batelco reinforces its position
innovative new service set to revolutionise data connectivity across as a leading provider of world-class, high demand solutions for
Bahrain and the broader Middle East. B Spectrum is designed to its customers across all industries. Batelco’s B spectrum service
transform Batelco’s end user experience, providing customers with provides customers with a scalable band of data connectivity
enhanced flexibility and scalability in their network infrastructure, and allows them to interconnect between multiple nationwide
the company said. The new B Spectrum service, among the most or regional locations. The solution offers a flexible and efficient
advanced in the region, runs over Batelco’s Network, and is powered alternative to traditional lit services and dark fiber, with the key
by Ciena’s optical technology. By enhancing the capabilities of advantage being it provides customers with greater network
control and scalability to meet their evolving data requirements at
a lower cost. Customers can dynamically adjust their bandwidth
as needed, scaling up or down to align with fluctuating business
demands. This level of flexibility empowers businesses to tailor their
network infrastructure with precision, it said. Batelco Chief Global
Business Officer Hani Askar said: “We are very pleased to deliver
this advanced service as part of Batelco’s ongoing investment into
international network infrastructure. B Spectrum is designed to
attract new telco providers and opens the door for major global
players to connect with Bahrain’s growing digital economy. This
supports our commitment to developing the high-performance
networks that are required to thrive in today’s digital landscape, and
reflects our plans to enhance connectivity capabilities, in line with
Bahrain’s digital transformation vision. “To continuously advance
network infrastructure services, Batelco collaborates with global
technology leaders, such as Ciena, to provide customers with the
best connectivity and data solutions,” he added. Ciena Head of
Middle East and Africa, Pete Hall, said: “As the GCC transitions into
a key digital hub for local and global connectivity needs, Batelco’s
new B Spectrum service offers unmatched flexibility, enhanced
control and provisioning of coherent signals onto the network.
Leveraging Ciena’s optical innovation, Batelco is playing a pivotal
role in positioning the GCC as a key player in the digital era."

Cisco Unveils AI Defense to Secure the AI
Transformation of Enterprises

Cisco, the leader in security and networking announced Cisco AI AI applications without tradeoffs.” The stakes of something going
Defense, a pioneering solution to enable and safeguard AI transfor- wrong with AI are incredibly high. According to Cisco's 2024 AI
mation within enterprises. As AI technology advances, new safety Readiness Index, only 29% of those surveyed feel fully equipped
concerns and security threats are emerging at an unprecedented to detect and prevent unauthorized tampering with AI. The security
speed which existing security solutions are unprepared to protect challenges are also new and complex, with AI applications being
against. Cisco AI Defense is purpose-built for enterprises to devel- multi-model and multi-cloud. Vulnerabilities can occur at model or
op, deploy and secure AI applications with confidence. "Business app level, while responsibility lies with different owners including
and technology leaders can’t afford to sacrifice safety for speed developers, end users and vendors. As enterprises move beyond
when embracing AI,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and public data and begin training models on proprietary data, the risks
Chief Product Officer, Cisco. "In a dynamic landscape where com- only grow. To unlock AI innovation and adoption, enterprises need
petition is fierce, speed decides the winners. Fused into the fabric a common layer of safety and security that protects every user and
of the network, Cisco AI Defense combines the unique ability to every application. AI Defense enables enterprises’ AI transforma-
detect and protect against threats when developing and accessing tions by addressing two urgent risks:

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