Page 73 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

ITC and Sofrecom Partnership to Deploy Fiber Network in the Kingdom of

Saudi Arabia

Almost two years after the announcement cent in other urban zones,” Ghassan Itani, architecture to the user (FTTx). “This major
of their partnership to pilot the ITC President & CEO, said. The partnership project actively contributes to the program
implementation and management of which started in 2017 between ITC and with the Ministry of Communications and
Outside Plant (OSP) across Saudi Arabia’s Sofrecom, leads to sharing the experience Information Technology (MCIT) for the
regions by 2020, the Integrated Telecom and technological expertise of the Orange deployment of the very high fixed flow
Company (ITC), leader in information and Group in the FTTH network. The detailed in Saudi Arabia as part of the strategic
communication technologies in Saudi design and supervision of this network plan «Saudi Vision 2030». Indeed, the
Arabia and Sofrecom, a subsidiary of the rollout is handled by Sofrecom. The Design Kingdom’s 2030 National Transformation
Orange Group, specialized in Consulting methods and tool optimization proposed Plan aims to deploy FTTH in 90 per cent
and engineering in the telecommunications by Sofrecom contribute remarkably to of densely populated cities and 66 per cent
sector, are proud to announce that they have the productivity enhancement of ITC in other urban zones,” Ghassan Itani, ITC
connected more than 400,000 households teams. In addition, Sofrecom’s teams President & CEO, said. “I am proud of the
to the FTTH network. “This major project monitor the deployment and effective trust shown by the ITC group by holding
actively contributes to the program with implementation of the network in Sofrecom to design, supervise and control
the Ministry of Communications and accordance with ITC’s engineering the deployment of the FTTH network of the
Information Technology (MCIT) for the rules and by ensuring its operation and Kingdom. This major project will bring very
deployment of the very high fixed flow sustainability. This project will enable high flows to the Kingdom’s households
in Saudi Arabia as part of the strategic ITC to ensure optimal and sustainable and businesses. Our teams are fully
plan «Saudi Vision 2030». Indeed, the network service quality. Customers will committed to the success of this major
Kingdom’s 2030 National Transformation benefit from new services such as high project,” said Guillaume Boudin, CEO of
Plan aims to deploy FTTH in 90 per cent definition television, video-on- demand Sofrecom Group.
of densely populated cities and 66 per and home entertainment through fiber

TRC Oman Provides Platform to Explore Science, Innovation

Among its various events, The Research in addition to leading programming and Dr. Sausan Al Riyami, Renewable Energy
Council has organized two hackathons — robot competitions, various hackathons, Researcher at TRC, gave a presentation
Family Hackathon and Talent Hackathon drone competitions, scientific films as well titled as ‘Can H2 be the Future Green
— both of which encourage creativity, as scientific presentations. In addition Energy?’ in which she discussed how
innovation and imagination at the Oman to the hackathons, TRC has a booth that Oman can contribute to allowing hydrogen
Science Festival 2019. For the Family provides visitors with new and enriching to become a ‘game-changer’ source of
Hackathon, family members solve issues experiences in the use of virtual reality energy, while Dr. Zahra Al Rawahi, Director
using modern technology, especially screens and 3D printers. There are also of the Innovative Capacity Building at
using the techniques of the 4th Industrial interactive competitions with valuable TRC, contributed to the topic of ‘Artificial
Revolution (4IR). On the other hand, the prizes in relation to the field of science Intelligence and the Future Economy’
Talent Hackathon (YouTube) involves and innovation. The booth aims to spread at the festival with her presentation on
those interested in technology who find awareness of the roles of TRC and its ‘Toward a National Strategy for Artificial
innovative solutions to local problems various programs, including Innovation Intelligence: Vision and trends’. Moreover,
and challenges using the technologies Park Muscat (IPM). In the second and Dr. Abdullah Al Abri, Executive Director of
of the 4th Industrial Revolution, such third day of the festival, presenters from EJAAD, elaborated on how hydrogen can
as virtual reality and augmented reality, all around the world took the stage and be a real opportunity in Oman through
the use of ‘Internet of Things’ and their delivered thought-provoking presentations his presentation ‘Oman Renewables:
applications in smart cities and interactive within the different fields of science. An Engine for Economic Growth’. With
big data analysis through its competition. Presenters from TRC also participated in its participation in the Oman Science
This year’s festival is a five-day event the sessions such as Dr. Jamilla Al Hinai, Festival, TRC aims to promote the culture
that started from November 4th and Project Manager of the National Strategy of scientific research and innovation
will conclude on November 8th 2019 at for Research and Development 2040, who in the Sultanate through its interactive
Oman Convention and Exhibition Center delivered a presentation on the preparation competitions, hackathons and scientific
(OCEC). This year’s festival consists of 300 of the National Strategy for Research and presentations.
events and more than 1,200 participants, Development (NSRD) 2020-2040 project.

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