Page 81 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

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ratings reflect PTCL’s leading market with the people of Pakistan through our and re-landscaping of 3 main places
position, extensive network infrastructure, Independence Day campaign TVC that was in the capital city. PTCL participated
strong financial risk profile and adequate viewed more than 7 million times on social to support the startups incubated at
business risk profile. Ratings also media platforms. The main theme of the National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi
incorporate strong sponsor profile with TVC was along the lines that PTCL is the at a special graduation ceremony, at NED
majority shareholding of 62% vested with backbone of connectivity in Pakistan and University Karachi, for the first cohort of
the Government of Pakistan and 26% stake a company trusted by customers for their startups. PTCL held a special ceremony
along with management control being daily connectivity needs in turn trusts PTCL to commemorate Defense Day, observe
held by Etisalat International Pakistan, a to enable provision of these services. As solidarity with the people of Kashmir and
90% owned subsidiary of Etisalat Group. part of ‘Clean & Green Pakistan Movement’, pay tribute to the families of martyrs who
This year, PTCL portrayed its connection PTCL undertook beautification, renovation lost their lives protecting the motherland.

Bahrain’s National Broadband Network Officially Launched

The Kingdom’s National Broadband all customers will be able to benefit from per cent of all businesses and 95pc of all
Network (BNET) was officially launched at high-speed Internet services from all households across the Kingdom. “The
a high level press conference held at the telecom providers.” During the event, restructure of Batelco is now complete
Capital Club. The launch was announced Mr. Mohamed Bubashait, CEO of BNET with independent management teams and
by Batelco Chairman, Shaikh Abdulla gave a detailed presentation about the human resources in place. BNET’s teams
bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, in the presence company’s vision and functions as well are now working on the implementation
of the Minister of Transportation and as its strategy for managing the national of its strategic plans which focus on the
Telecommunications, Kamal Ahmed, network’s infrastructure. The presentation development of the fiber optic network
BNET CEO Mohamed Bubashait, CEO’s also included a detailed explanation of the across Bahrain and the provision of high-
of OLO’s (Other Licensed Operators) and operational model and work mechanism speed Internet services for OLO’s on a
members of Bahrain’s media. During the that the company will follow to achieve fair and competitive basis. “The company
event, the BNET logo, which will soon be its objectives. Also revealed was BNET’s will continue to complete the separation
rolled out to all customer touch points, new logo, designed to symbolize both process as required in line with the
was revealed. The launch event follows on the national network and the Kingdom Government’s strategy and future vision
from the announcement of Batelco’s legal while being distinguishable from Batelco. for the telecommunications sector.” “This
separation into two independent entities, Shaikh Abdulla stated that he was very step is part of a series of initiatives aimed to
which was announced at an earlier press pleased to announce the launch of BNET enhance Bahrain’s position as a strategic
conference held in May. As part of the which is a key part of the Fourth National investment destination, a regional ICT hub
legal separation, a new executive structure Telecommunication Plan (NTP4) to develop and a major contributor to upgrading the
was implemented and new CEOs were the growth and economic diversification of Kingdom’s telecommunications services,”
appointed for both Batelco and BNET. the telecommunication sector, including he concluded.
Independent buildings and departments rolling out a fiber optic network to 100
were also allocated for each entity, in
line with the nature of the companies’
work. In line with the requirements of the
4th National Telecommunications Plan
approved by the Council of Ministers in
May 2016, BNET will provide broadband
network services to all licensed operators
including Batelco, whereas, Batelco
will focus solely on retail and corporate
operations. Mr. Ahmed expressed his
pleasure at the launch event by saying, “I
would like to thank the team involved in the
implementation of this successful project,
which contributed towards turning the
vision of the National Telecommunications
plan into a reality, and is being witnessed
today during this event. This project is a
major leap for the services provided by
telecommunications companies, where

81 OCTOBER 2019