Page 104 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

SAMENA TRENDS

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Jordan Eyes 5G to Transform Public Services, Power Digital Economy

Plans are underway to roll out 5G in Jordan, public services. Most importantly, 5G will population bilingual in English and Arabic
heralding a digital-led future for the enable completely new applications only with a neutral accent and eager to work at
Hashemite Kingdom. 5G is a fundamental accessible with advanced technologies, competitive wages. More than 50 per cent
technology to enable the next generation such as lag-free ultra-HD video over of the population is under the age of 24, with
of digital services and help establish the wireless, truly smart cities, autonomous 22 per cent holding degrees in IT, computer
country as a knowledge-based economy. mobility, telemedicine, mobile AR and science and engineering. As a leading
The next-generation technology will boost VR, and soon, the metaverse. Further, technology provider in Jordan, we support
Jordan Vision 2025 by accelerating the 5G will enable Jordan’s enterprising these efforts to nurture the country’s ICT
ICT sector in the country, already one of business community to advance business talent. Working within broad public/private
the fastest-growing sectors of Jordan’s operations, enter new markets, access sector ecosystems, we continue to invest
economy. HYPERLINK "https://www. finance and attract talent. Jordan’s in various skills development to ensure
trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ entrepreneurship spirit is the envy of the that organizations have access to the
jordan-information-and-communication- region. Access to affordable technical qualified personnel they need to pursue
technology"Data shows the ICT sector talent, good infrastructure, a liberalized their digital transformation goals. Huawei
accounts for 3.8 per cent of the country’s telecom sector, proximity to key regional has longstanding programmes such as
gross GDP, with total annual revenue markets, and government support have Huawei Middle East ICT Competition,
exceeding $2.3 billion. There are currently spurred a thriving private sector. According Seeds for the Future and the Huawei ICT
more than 900 active companies in to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Academy to support the government’s
the sector that directly employ about Entrepreneurship, 27 per cent of Middle vision to build a sustainable knowledge-
22,000 employees. For Jordanian East and North Africa tech entrepreneurs based economy. In the past two decades,
carriers, 5G promises significant revenue are Jordanian, even though the country we’ve helped the Middle East cultivate
growth potential and evolved customer accounts for only 3 per cent of MENA’s more than 100,000 ICT talents, out of which
experiences. We see that early adopters in population. To fortify these gains, the more than 5,000 were based in Jordan.
the region have begun to reap the benefits government is continually exploring new In the Kingdom, we have worked with
of 5G. For instance, Kuwait was one of ideas to boost the digital ecosystem. A educational authorities, universities, other
the countries in the Middle East with the promising initiative is Jordan Source — educational institutions, and partners to
earliest and fastest 5G development. part of the Jordanian government’s youth set talent standards, build alliances, and
Since June 2019, three carriers deployed technology and jobs program — designed demonstrate the value of talent. Some of
5G on a nationwide scale and they’ve to facilitate and ease new investments into our education partners include Hashemite
reported strong business results that have Jordan’s digital outsourcing economy and University, Princess Sumaya University of
been bolstered by their 5G user growth create more jobs for the country’s digital Technology, Jordan University of Science
as well as 5G technology efficiency and talents. Jordan Source, and other similar and Technology), and Al Balqa’ Applied
competencies. But the benefits of 5G initiatives, recognize that the country’s University (BAU). To guarantee continued
go beyond enabling operators’ business greatest resource is its youth talent. The success, however, the country must bolster
growth. 5G is also an enabler of numerous country has a young, well-educated, its ICT assets against the growing threat
verticals, industries, businesses and technologically-savvy, highly-skilled of cybercrime. Collaboration is vital in
tackling this global threat. A safer network
is a shared obligation. Huawei is working
with the government, industry, universities,
customers, and partners to advance
cybersecurity and strengthen Jordan’s
position as a trusted destination for
foreign investment and residency. Jordan
has a rich and proud history of ingenuity
overcoming formidable odds, epitomized
by the historical city of Petra. Today, by
investing in 5G, digital transformation, and
empowering the talent ecosystem, Jordan
is on track to emerge as adigital economic
titan of this era.

104 MARCH-APRIL 2022