Page 41 - SAMENA Trends - January 2020

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and Peace Med are both expected to be Xiaohua, Chief Operating Officer, PEACE by the PEACE partnership, with commercial
completed on time, on budget and within Cable International, said, “We see the implementation assistance from PCCW
the originally specified plan of work, the PEACE project as a strategic pivot for the Global. This illustrates the extent of our
planned extension through Peace South is HENGTONG Group to further expand as a commitment to the project as a major
a natural expansion for Asian investment subsea cable investor and we look forward strategic opportunity to spearhead the
in Africa, enhancing cooperation and to identifying new investment opportunities deployment and commercialization of
shared economic benefits in the exchange in this market. Investment in the PEACE better connectivity between Africa, Europe
of goods, technology and ideas.” Mr. Sun South extension is being provided solely and Asia.”

stc Bahrain Extends Reach of 5G Network

stc Bahrain (previously known as Viva broadband and home broadband services up to 40Mbps, a 600GB monthly data
Bahrain) has announced the launch of the are now available across more than 50% of allowance and an additional 3GB a month
next phase of its 5G network in partnership the country, enabling customers to enjoy of mobile data, subject to a 24-month
with Chinese equipment supplier Huawei. data speeds of up to 1.2Gbps. Prices for contract. To access 5G mobile services,
Following an initial launch in selected areas 5G home broadband plans start at BHD21 pre-paid and post-paid subscribers pay an
in June 2019, the operator’s 5G mobile (USD55) per month for download speeds extra BHD5 a month.

Strategy & boosts Middle East TMT Practice with
Two New Partners

The Technology, Media, and Telecom Entertainment business in the Middle East, telecom sector, before going on to join
(TMT) practice of Middle East consultancy with expertise in culture, entertainment, the Lebanese Broadcasting Association
Strategy& has been given a leadership and media sector strategy. A software as Deputy Head of Channels and later
boost for the new year with two additional engineering masters holder from Imperial as the Executive Director – Broadcast
partners; Karim Sarkis, who joined the firm College London, he boasts over 25 years of Group for Abu Dhabi Media. In 2012,
at the beginning of 2018 (after an earlier consulting and media industry experience, Sarkis co-founded Sync Media, and joined
career stint at Strategy& predecessor Booz originally joining Andersen Consulting in Strategy& as a senior executive advisor
& Company), and Lancelot Sursock, who 1992 for three years before spending a at the start of 2018. Among noted recent
returns to Strategy& after spending over a further four at Arthur D. Little. From there, assignments for Strategy&, Sarkis is
decade with Booz to 2015. Sarkis served as a senior associate in the credited with assisting a GCC ministry of
Karim Sarkis GCC and UK for Booz & Company, with culture in various projects including film
Sarkis heads up Strategy&’s Media and a focus on strategic consulting in the infrastructure strategy and public library

41 JANUARY 2020