Page 45 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and new technologies poised to transform online usage and business
blockchain, and provides a six-layer architectural framework models in the same way that the smartphone revolutionized the
for understanding the Metaverse’s current development status. web. And while we are still about a decade away from a complete,
While the report concludes that businesses today face a world fully immersive version of the Metaverse, huge opportunities
of unconnected proto-metaverses, with technological challenges already exist. The question is, how to grasp them? “This report
remaining, it also urges them to take steps now to understand the delivers an unprecedented analysis of the technological and
current market and position themselves for the future. Dr. Albert business maturity of the Metaverse. And some of the conclusions
Meige, Director of Blue Shift at Arthur D. Little, comments: “The it reaches differ quite widely from what other commentators have
Metaverse is essentially the future version of the internet, with said previously.”
Draft

AT&T to Upgrade U.S. Customs and Border

Protection Networks

AT&T was awarded a task order to modernize the U.S. Customs customs operations, immigration, and agricultural protection.
and Border Protection’s (CBP) voice and data networks to help AT&T was selected to modernize CBP’s voice and data networks to
ensure reliable, high-speed wireline and wireless connectivity support CBP’s mission objectives. This task order is an expansion
among CBP’s Federal Law Enforcement Agents nationwide. The of our work for CBP. The services we will provide to CBP under the
task order is valued at $119 million over 11 years if all options are new task order include virtual private networking services, cloud
exercised. It was awarded via the General Services Administration’s connectivity, National Security and Emergency Preparedness
Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract. U.S. Customs and services, audio conferencing capabilities, and managed network
Border Protection is one of the world's largest law enforcement and security services, among others. AT&T is expected to provide
organizations with more than 60,000 employees. It is charged CBP with reliable, highly secure connectivity to support voice and
with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while data communications across the enterprise. Under the agreement,
facilitating lawful international travel and trade. On a typical day, CBP has the option to acquire additional capabilities from AT&T,
CBP apprehends more than 1,000 individuals for suspected crimes; such as Managed Trusted Internet Protocol Services, IP-based
screens more than 1 million international travelers; prevents 404 Voice, unified communications, and more. “This new task order
dangerous pests from entering the U.S.; processes more than allows us to deliver our advanced communications capabilities to
74,000 truck, rail and sea containers; and seizes nearly 4 tons of support the important work CBP’s agents do, day in and day out, to
illicit drugs. CBP aims to enhance the nation’s security through protect our nation at all points of entry: from our borders to airports
innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust. It requires reliable, and seaports. It’s an honor to be able to serve those who serve us
highly secure voice and data communications among its agents by ensuring they have speedy, reliable access to the data critical to
to support its comprehensive approach to managing U.S. borders, support their mission, their agents, and all Americans.”

AT&T Seeks Partner for USD10bn Fiber JV

AT&T Inc. is in discussions to create a joint venture (JV) that
would invest billions of dollars in the expansion of the telco’s fiber-
optic networks, Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the
matter. As per the article, AT&T is working with Morgan Stanley
to help bring in an infrastructure partner to the venture, which is
expected to be valued at between USD10 billion and USD15 billion.
The discussions are still at an early stage, however, and could still
fall apart, the sources warned. The companies hope to conclude
the process later this year, or in early 2023. While no interested
parties have been named at this stage, alternative asset managers
such as Brookfield Asset Management, KKR, CDPQ, Macquarie,
CVC and Blackstone are expected to come into play, after pursuing
similar infrastructure agreements in Europe and Latin America in
recent years.

45 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022