Page 10 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

Sustainability and Inclusiveness Among Key Principles that Govern Digital
Transformation; Telecom Operators, Regulators, Tech Providers Have a

Direct Role in Reimagining Broadband, Says SAMENA Council CEO

operation for both human development
and environmental protection." The SA-
ME-NA region as a whole, and the GCC
sub-region in particular, is leading in
digital transformation by championing
accelerated adoption of 5G, while ground
for 5G Advance (or 5.5G) is being prepared.
The emerging 5G opportunity landscape
offers a reflection into the visions of the
regional governments and demonstrates
an understanding among industry
stakeholders about the true potential of 5G.
Regional Telecom Operators' leadership
in 5G network deployment is particularly
noteworthy, as it is being powered by
strong collaboration with Tech Providers,
innovation, attention to life-changing and
new business solutions, and an overarching
focus on thriving and governing sustainably.
An advocacy continuum, BA's keynote
during the GITEX week supported and
promoted the role of Telecom Operators,
Regulators, and Tech Providers, especially
since each stakeholder has a direct stake
and responsibility in reinforcing and
Addressing a China Mobile International this region. BA, in his leadership speech, reimagining broadband’s role as a key
hosted leadership gala dinner during the acknowledged that "This region, led by driver of digital transformation across
Gulf Information Technology Exhibition the collaboration and expertise from the Education, Healthcare, Financial Service
(GITEX), SAMENA Telecommunications likes of China Mobile, e& Group from the Delivery, thus signifying universal, inclusive,
Council’s CEO, Bocar BA, described UAE, as well as other valued members and affordable access to connectivity.
how digital multilateralism has become of SAMENA Council, and supported by Furthermore, strong collaboration among
inevitable and how sustainability enabling policies and improved regulatory the industry stakeholders is central to
challenges, including in digital approaches, are fostering an open, fair, and meeting targets set forth by the ITU,
infrastructure development through robust non-discriminatory business environment, where SAMENA Council chairs the
financing, are prompting unprecedented, ensuring the safety and stability of supply Industry Advisory Group on Development
out-of-the-box approaches to materialize. chains in relevant areas, and advancing Issues (IAGDI), and by the UN Broadband
BA outlined how industries and niche inclusiveness. Such support is central to Commission, where SAMENA Council
segments are now being extensively driven the pace and progress of digitalization and has contributed extensively to help
by digitalization, new digital offerings, digital transformation, and to our collective build consensus and implementable
differentiated value-propositions, and how aspiration of making 5G a success for all. recommendations for funding and
industry stakeholders need to capitalize The pace at which digital transformation financing the next wave of broadband
on new opportunities relating to Industry is taking place, sustainability and infrastructure development around the
4.0, smart-city projects, and proliferating inclusiveness must remain the key world. Such recommendations include
5G applications across education, principles for driving digitally-powered broadening the base of contributors and
healthcare, oil & gas, port operations, and economic growth, creating new human adopting innovative financial approaches
other verticals that are of most relevance experiences, and exploring new areas and instruments that engage leading
to the economic diversification visions of of inter-industry and inter-regional co- financial institutions with the ICT industry.

10 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022