Page 23 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

e& UAE Showcases the World's First Wi-Fi 8 Prototype, Targeting Ultra-
High Speeds Using the New mmWave Frequency Band

e& UAE, the telecommunications arm of latency applications such as virtual and meaningful change in the digital era. We are
e&, is pioneering the future of wireless augmented reality. Marwan Bin Shakar, dedicated to deliver innovative solutions
technology and high-speed connectivity Senior Vice President, Access Network that empower our clients and foster
with the world’s first Wi-Fi 8 prototype, Development, e& UAE, said: “The Wi- the adoption of advanced technologies
showcased at GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s Fi 8 prototype at GITEX represents a throughout the UAE and beyond.” Wi-Fi 8
largest technology exhibition. The Wi- leap forward in connectivity, offering is set to revolutionize the realm of wireless
Fi 8 prototype aims to deliver data rates ultra-fast speeds that unlock a world of technology, outperforming its forerunners
of up to 100 Gbps, making it ideal for possibilities. This prototype demonstrates in numerous ways. Among its anticipated
high-bandwidth applications such as our commitment to providing exceptional advancements is a remarkable increase
4K and 8K video streaming, and low- value to our customers and driving in data transmission rates. Built on the
achievements of earlier versions, Wi-Fi
8 aims to provide ultra-high throughput,
advanced modulation techniques, and
expanded spectrum usage. The new mm
Wave frequency band enhances Wi-Fi 8
by providing access to a larger spectrum
of frequencies, facilitating increased
bandwidth, and enabling data transfer
speeds of up to 100 Gbps. To ensure the
security of enhanced connectivity, Wi-Fi
8 will incorporate cutting-edge protective
measures, including next-generation
encryption standards, quantum-resistant
security, and enhanced authentication
methods. As a major milestone in wireless
communications, Wi-Fi 8 delivers speeds,
robust security measures, and cutting-
edge features. This Wi-Fi technology
is projected to be available by 2030,
potentially reshaping the digital landscape.

e& and AWS Enter into a $1bln-Plus Agreement as Part of New Strategic

Alliance

e&, the global technology group which the Middle East. Together, the companies machine learning (ML). The agreement
serves more than 175 million subscribers will provide cloud solutions that align enables e& to leverage AWS’s 200-plus
in 34 countries, announced a strategic with industry regulations, meeting the fully featured services to modernize
partnership with Amazon Web Services growing demand for secure and scalable platforms such as Starzplay Arabia, a
(AWS), the world's most comprehensive infrastructure. By aligning with AWS, e& TV streaming service of which e& has a
cloud provider. This follows AWS’s launch solidifies its role as a key enabler of the majority stake; and Careem, the Middle
of its second Middle East cloud region UAE’s digital economy, unlocking new East “everything app” offering millions of
in the UAE in 2022, with a planned US$5 growth opportunities for businesses of all customers easy access to food, mobility,
billion (AED 20 billion) investment in the sizes. As part of the collaboration, AWS digital payments, and more. e& will also
local economy through to 2036. The and e& signed a US$1 billion-plus (AED3.7 deploy Amazon’s technologies to expand
new alliance combines AWS’s cloud billion) agreement over the next six years its AI capabilities and to advance its Smart
infrastructure and solutions, which are to accelerate the impact of cloud-driven Home services, while e&’s Smiles points
sovereign by design, with e&’s network innovation and digital transformation can be earned when shopping on Amazon.
capabilities to address the most stringent across the region. The alliance will focus on AWS will enable hundreds of small-
customer requirements across the public delivering core cloud services like storage, medium-sized businesses, supported
sector and regulated industries including computing, networking, cybersecurity, by e&, to access the AWS Marketplace.
healthcare, finance, and oil and gas in as well as artificial intelligence (AI) and This will help these businesses discover,

23 OCT-DEC 2024