Page 28 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saeed Al Zarooni, Group Chief Procurement added Al Zarooni. The initiative is set to Accenture's client account lead for e&, said:
Officer at e&, said: “This collaboration benefit a wide spectrum of stakeholders, "Accenture is committed to embedding
with Accenture represents a significant including ecosystem partners. Its sustainability into everything we do and
milestone in our dedication to responsible objectives encompass upskilling talent everyone we work with, and responsible
sourcing and sustainability. This strategic to meet evolving industry demands on procurement is an essential element in
relationship will play a crucial role in sustainability, stimulating innovation, every company's sustainability approach.
reshaping our procurement function and strengthening supplier collaboration with The long-term value that e& aims for
driving positive change throughout our a focus on growth, advocating circular across its stakeholders will serve as a
supply chain.” “By fostering innovation, economy principles, amplifying sustainable model to others seeking to generate value
resilience, and sustainability, we intend value creation that supports local and impact. The digital foundation we will
to set new industry standards and inspire economies and demonstrating dedication create together will streamline processes,
others to join us on this transformational to preserving natural and biological improve business decisions and embed
journey towards a greener, more diversity. sustainability across e&’s value chain and
sustainable future for the telecom and Embedding sustainability all emission boundaries.
technology industries in the Middle East,” Angelo Lorusso, managing director and

AT&T Injects Threat Detection into Network

AT&T launched a security product designed security software at the network level
to tackle potential threats before they reach means it is “the first line of defence” to
a customer’s network, without the need for protect businesses, AT&T explained. It
additional hardware. The AT&T Dynamic said the platform can detect threats,
Defence platform is embedded into the filter traffic and execute security controls,
operator’s network and can be activated offering “a more efficient and less complex
online “within minutes”, targeting SMEs approach to cybersecurity protection”.
using its internet services. Bloomberg AT&T launched the platform in ten markets
reported the move aligns with a strategy in the US and plans a wider deployment,
to bolster AT&T’s fiber services at a time of with three subscription options available. the company, adding it is “setting a new
falling demand, as customers increasingly Rick Welday, head of AT&T Business, standard of connectivity with security that
turn to mobile solutions. Deployment of said cybersecurity is “a core strength” at starts at the network level”.

FirstNet Authority to Pump $8B Into Public Safety Network

AT&T unveiled a ten-year, $8 billion FirstNet, AT&T explained the new sites will LTE to 5G. Beginning in March, FirstNet will
investment from the FirstNet Authority to be added over the next two years. The SA provide first responders with “always-on
expand and upgrade the nationwide public 5G core will improve current functionality priority and pre-emption” across all of the
safety network, which includes the addition by adding specific public safety features operator’s commercial 5G spectrum bands.
of 1,000 mobile sites and a standalone (SA) to FirstNet and support the transition of The FirstNet Authority plans to invest
5G core. As part of the second phase of public safety’s Band 14 spectrum from $6.3 billion through its network contract
with AT&T and anticipates an additional
$2 billion “for ongoing investments in
coverage enhancements for public safety”.
AT&T noted the transition to a full 5G
network will enable FirstNet “to keep pace
with current evolutions in technology and
3GPP standards-based mission critical
advancements”. It added it would keep
the existing 4G network active during the
transition to 5G. AT&T stated it now has
5.5 million connections and about 27,500
public safety agencies and organizations
on FirstNet.

28 JANUARY-MARCH 2024