Page 17 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

commercial customer in the Middle East, MIMO technology. The foundation of the index with the fastest median download
Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region to commercial launch was laid in 2017, where speeds (421.26Mbps) in the first half of
access 5G services making them one of Etisalat was one of the operators globally 2021. This remarkable achievement for
the fastest, smartest and best-connected to launch a pre-commercial 5G network in the UAE reflects the ongoing efforts of
places in the world. Another significant certain areas of the country demonstrating Etisalat and its investments to build one
milestone in 2016 was the successful high-speed use cases in addition to the of the most advanced 5G networks in the
completion of the first live 5G experiment low latency feature of the 5G technology. region and the world. The deployment of
using millimeter waves (mmWave). This Today looking back at every step of the 5G across industries and sectors leads
showcase was the first of its kind in the successful 5G journey, all the efforts have the way to digital transformation in UAE,
MENA region with Etisalat becoming yielded results with the country crowned pushing it to the forefront with a network
the first telco globally to test speeds of globally for 5G achievements. UAE’s that is future ready for the next generation
71Gbps setting a new global record in data capital Abu Dhabi was ranked among the of mobile technologies.
transfer speed using e-band and massive fastest capitals globally in the 5G network

Collaboration is Key to Creating a Hyper-Connected World with Limitless
Connectivity, Highlights Etisalat Chief

also reiterated how Etisalat is constantly
looking at innovative ways to service
customers by collaborating with startups
that will enrich services and the daily lives
of consumers at the same time supporting
its digital ambitions. He also emphasized
how a crisis can accelerate innovation
reimagining a more connected society
through the power of technologies such as
AI, 5G, big data and IoT that are shaping our
future and transforming lives rapidly. This
can be done by working collaboratively
with all the stakeholders beyond the ICT
ecosystem. Dowidar added that mobile
networks of the future have to be extensive
and dynamic that is highly intelligent
with an AI-powered infrastructure. These
networks must be resilient and trustworthy
capable of processing anywhere evolving
as a model that is complex with real-
Collaboration is key to create a hyper- entrepreneur ecosystem in the country. time processing distributed and tightly
connected world as we move into a H.E. Ahmed Belhoul, Minister of State for integrated through-out the network. With
future that requires limitless connectivity Entrepreneurship and SME inaugurated the continuous support and guidance
to improve lives, redefine business and the event sharing his vision on nurturing of the UAE leadership in bringing digital
nurture an entrepreneurial ecosystem the next generation of entrepreneurs transformation in the country this has
especially in the past two years that has followed by Mohamed Al Abbar, founder enabled Etisalat to aspire to transition to
profound effects on the ways we work, of real estate conglomerate Emaar and a complete integrated ICT/digital solution
learn and socialise, said Hatem Dowidar, the homegrown online marketplace Noon. provider. This is achieved by capitalizing
CEO, Etisalat Group. He delivered a keynote Abbar provided insights into his journey on opportunities such as megaprojects
address on ‘Enabling a Hyper-Connected in building one of the largest real estate and smart city and Industry 4.0 projects
World’ at the TiE Global Summit, an annual companies in the world and building an across multiple verticals, including
flagship conference for entrepreneurs. e-commerce portal in the region from health, education, logistics and oil and
Each year, the event gathers speakers, scratch catering to customers in the Middle gas. Etisalat has remained committed to
mentors and conducts sessions on new East. In Dowidar’s address he highlighted achieve its goals, reshaping the lives of
business trends and entrepreneurship. The the significance of connectivity in this its consumers, accelerating the economic
conference also witnessed the participation digital environment where the network growth of businesses and enhance the
of government and industry leaders brings together the various stakeholders competitiveness of the countries where it
sharing their perspective on the growing in this entrepreneurial ecosystem. He operates, reiterated Dowidar.

17 NOV-DEC 2021