Page 80 - SAMENA Trends - September 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TRA UAE to Launch Innovative Projects at GITEX Technology Week 2019

The Telecommunications Regulatory
Authority, TRA, is set to launch 10 innovative
projects during the GITEX Technology
Week 2019, representing a new set of
contributions from the TRA to enhance
the smart lifestyle in the UAE, support the
transition to the future of AI and Smart
City, and develop a mechanism for dealing
with modern technologies. The TRA is
participating in the GITEX Technology
Week as part of the UAE Government, which
hosts 18 federal government entities,
displaying their major achievements in the
field of modern technology and harnessing
them in facilitating the provision of
government services, achieving customer
happiness, and promoting the one
government principle and excellent on AI and strong ICT infrastructure in the new phases and developments of the TRA’s
technology services. Hamad Obaid Al UAE.” Al Mansoori indicated that the TRA’s current projects, which are characterized
Mansoori, the TRA Director-General, said, participation in this huge annual event by continuity, as they contribute to the
“The TRA is keen to activate all channels of contributes to strengthening its position achievement of the UAE happiness
communication with its strategic partners in leading the smart transformation strategy. Visitors to the TRA’s stand will
and the public, to exchange ideas and process and enhancing the smart lifestyle learn about the latest developments
views and develop the services provided in the country, in addition to its global related to the 5G experience, which was
by the TRA, in line with the aspirations contribution to the ICT field. The TRA launched last year and is considered the
of the UAE society in all its segments. As has been using GITEX in its successive next technological revolution in mobile
the GITEX Technology Week is a yearly sessions as an important platform broadband. Furthermore, in line with the
gathering of global ICT companies, the for launching ideas and innovations, UAE Vision 2021, the TRA aims to be the
TRA is keen to participate in this global exchanging ideas with various parties to main driver for the launch 5G mobile
event by focusing on future and innovative launch innovative projects and presenting business.
projects that develop solutions based them to the public, in addition to presenting

Veon Targets Growth in New Services

Telecoms group Veon has increased strategy framework is built around three there are opportunities that we believe
its EBITDA guidance for FY 2019 and is pillars: connectivity, new digital services will best serve investor interests over the
looking beyond connectivity for future and future assets that open up adjacent medium-term,” said Alex Kazbegi, Group
growth. Veon serves over 200 million growth opportunities. This essentially Chief Strategy Officer. “We are excited
subscribers, mainly in central Asia, and seems to be a version of the kind of about the opportunity in our core Russian
things seems ticking along nicely. “Veon 5G strategy most telecoms groups are market, which we believe can be best
is performing well in the current financial advocating. “Our new strategy framework accessed through a short-term increase
year against our 2019 targets and today we underscores the growth opportunities in network capex to allow us to drive
are increasing our EBITDA guidance for FY we see beyond our connectivity business medium-term service revenue growth. “In
2019 from low to mid-single digit growth and aligns Veon’s ambitions with our Pakistan, there may be the opportunity to
to at least mid-single-digit growth,” said industry’s future development,” said increase our stake in the business through
Ursula Burns, Group Chairman and CEO. Burns. “I am confident that the greater the existing put option with Warid. We
“Previous guidance of Revenue growth and flexibility in how we allocate capital will also believe stepping up our investment in
Equity Free Cash Flow remain unchanged.” allow us to execute on these opportunities, Digital Financial Services in Pakistan is an
Despite that, Burns reckons Veon needs reinforcing our market-leading positions exciting first step in Future Assets.”
to diversify beyond mere connectivity and maximizing shareholder returns over
in the pursuit of future growth. A new the longer term.” “Over the next 18 months,

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