Page 50 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

for every country to ensure fully remote
operational capacities for their economies,”
– explains Vytautas Kaziukonis, CEO
of Surfshark. “That is why, for the third
year in a row, we continue the Digital
Quality of Life research, which provides a
robust global outlook into how countries
excel digitally. The index sets the basis
for meaningful discussions about how
digital advancement impacts a country’s
prosperity and where improvements can
be made.” In an all-around picture, 6 out
of 10 countries holding the highest scores
are located in Europe, following last year’s
trend. Denmark ranks 1st in DQL for
the second year in a row and is closely
followed by South Korea. Finland ranks
3rd, while Israel and the U.S. round out the Other significant findings of the report work to afford the internet. Investing in
top five of 110 nations that were evaluated. include: electronic infrastructure and electronic
The bottom 5 countries are Ethiopia, Broadband is globally less affordable this government contributes to people’s
Cambodia, Cameroon, Guatemala, and year. Comparing countries included in digital wellbeing the most. The 2021 DQL
Angola. Regionally, the U.S. stands out as both DQL20 and DQL21, people have to research examined a total population
a country with the highest digital quality work 11% more (25 min more) to afford of more than 6.9 billion people in terms
of life in the Americas, while South Korea broadband internet in 2021. However, of five core pillars and 14 underpinning
takes the leading position in Asia. Among people have to work 29% less (28 min indicators that provide a comprehensive
countries in Africa, people in South Africa less) to afford mobile internet this year. measure. The study is based on open-
enjoy the highest quality of their digital The world’s worst internet is the least source information provided by the United
lives whereas Australia leads in Oceania, affordable. People in some countries, Nations, the World Bank, Freedom House,
outperforming New Zealand in various such as Nigeria, Côte D'Ivoire and Mali the International Communications Union,
digital areas. require approximately a week’s worth of and other sources.

Libyan International Telecommunication Company, in Partnership with
Microsoft, Launches Azure ExpressRoute Service in Libya

The Libyan International Telecom especially through the strategic plan for Regional Director of Microsoft Corporation
Company (LITC), one of the state LPTIC digital transformation launched by LPTIC.’’ said “We look forward to further
holding companies, launched in Tripoli, in Adel Abu Fares, Chairman of LITC said empowering our partners and customers
partnership with the international company “The launch of the service today will help in the Libyan market, to be in safe, highly
Microsoft, the Azure ExpressRoute service, expand the private networks of customers efficient and effective communication.”
which will cover the needs of the Libyan using cloud services, which will contribute The partnership will enhance the position
market, as part of the comprehensive trend to covering their basic needs in the labor of the LITC locally and regionally, as
towards digital transformation. The service market where cloud computing allows major customers of Microsoft services
will enable cloud computing provided by information technology to be rented in Libya will be able to access new
Microsoft will provide advanced features in instead of buying, and thus will provide services, enabling and accelerating the
the Libyan labor market, including backup copies, which is a pioneering step taken digital transformation journey, using the
services and the ability to access data at by the LITC in Libya.’’ Abu Fares stressed functionality of private digital cloud service
any time and any place and communicate the company’s commitment to support its solutions, which is an infrastructure that is
in a reliable manner and high speeds, the customers by providing cloud computing rented by a single customer, and provides
LITC said. Commenting on the launch, that guarantees customers more ease of higher level of security and control, along
Faisal Gergab, Chairman of LPTIC, said use, expansion and flexibility, instead of with the flexibility and cost savings of
“Today we affirm the essential role that spending money and resources on old IT public clouds models that are expensive
the telecommunications sector plays in systems, and providing the best solutions and save computing resources for multiple
the journey of progress and development in response to the evolving market customers.
that Libya seeks at the current stage, requirements. On his part, Nizar Al-Haddar,

50 OCTOBER 2021