Page 8 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2022

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

As a host of digital experiences are increasingly made networks are critical infrastructure
and need to be robust and reliable.
possible, the foundation for the next “G” is being created. While they must ensure trust-building

On the road to universal connectivity and new economic among the end-users to sustain the
Internet, Operators may themselves
activity, Operators and policymakers must align need to adopt “Zero Trust” architecture
themselves, and framework of security processes, such as principles within to ensure security
cyberspace.
and
safety
the
of
Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS) While preserving their commercial
and Security Assurance Specifications (SCAS) should advantages and internal efficiencies,
Operators must necessarily collabor-
become the Mobile networks regulations standards. ate to synchronize their needs and re-
Bocar BA, CEO & Board Member of SAMENA Council quirements, and strategic messaging
on the cybersecurity front.

SAMENA Council Highlights Elemental Role of Microwave in Transitioning
to 5.5G Development in the Region and Requirements for Achieving New
Connectivity Milestones

SAMENA Council, represented by its CEO – Bocar BA, has drawn BA, in his message, was acknowledging
attention to connect the 2.7 billion people still without any access
to broadband connectivity, whether fixed or mobile. The Council and referring to the GCC region's
notes that while the status quo is changing gradually—and in leadership and to the Telecom Operators'
some rare cases, quickly—billions of dollars are still required to
complement the trillions that have already been invested so far and Regulators' powerful role on the 5G
in connecting the 5.3 billion people. SAMENA Council believes front, not only in terms of early adoption
that future connectedness, including transition from 5G to
5.5G and beyond, requires accelerated implementation of new but also in terms of data transmission
technologies and new forms of multi-stakeholder cooperation in speeds.
digital development, centered on meeting “access, affordability,
and equality” KPIs. Lately, SAMENA Council has been actively variables, including cost, time, complexity, right-of-way, and
advocating on the need to fund and finance digital infrastructure other administrative, regulatory, and business pressures, have
through innovative financial approaches. Advocating at the Global to be balanced out, which could affect deployment and inhibit
Microwave Industry Forum, Bocar BA, emphasized that "Two things growth ambitions. Because microwave has played a major role in
are categorically clear - First, we need to attract vast investment mobile technology rollouts in the region, and because microwave
in order to support sustainable broadband development and transport capacity has now evolved from hundreds of megabit-
digital connectedness —ranging from people to people, people per-second capacity to tens of gigabit-per-second capacity and
to machines, to machines to machines. Second, especially for offers low-cost, quick installation and reliable, secure operations,
Telecom Operators, we need strategic adaptation to physical 5G/5.5G capable microwave, supported by a sound wireless
realities of telecom network design, accessibility, investment backhaul strategy, holds the strongest potential for accelerating
viability, and what is around us in terms of network innovations 5G deployments and developing 5.5G through consensus-driven
and time-tested and new microwave transport technologies." approaches. In order to address impediments to adoption and
BA, in his message, was acknowledging and referring to the GCC to bring its benefits to the region, as a trusted industry voice
region's leadership and to the Telecom Operators' and Regulators' and through its private-sector representative role within the
powerful role on the 5G front, not only in terms of early adoption ITU’s Industry Advisory Group for Development Issues (IAGDI),
but also in terms of data transmission speeds. The region's 5G SAMENA Council will play its role in fostering 5.5G development,
momentum has been boosted by a number of factors, including which includes agreeing on definitions and standardization way
the economic recovery from the pandemic, rising 5G handset forward. SAMENA Council recognizes that fifth-general digital
sales, network coverage expansions and overall marketing infrastructure development in the region has also been carried
efforts. Referring to the ultimate goal of making 5G a success out successfully due to advancements in Fiber, Cloud, latest Radio
for the Private Sector, Policymakers and Regulators alike, and as Access, and Microwave Backhaul, as well as several other factors,
5.5G emerges with its new use-cases, BA reiterated that fifth- including Operators’ willingness to tread through challenging
generation network expansion must extend from urban areas to paths.
far beyond into far-flung territories. Under this scenario, multiple

8 NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 2022