23 October 2024, Wed |
3:24 AM
The SAMENA Telecommunications Council recently convened the SAMENA ACCELERATOR focused on 10 Gigabit Digital Infrastructure on October 17th at the prestigious One & Only Royal Mirage in Dubai. In partnership with Huawei, this year’s event continued the conversation initiated in 2023 about the imperative development of ultra-broadband or “10Giga” networks, leveraging innovations in fiber technology and IPv6.
The 2024 edition aimed to deepen consensus on advancing 10 Giga network initiatives while exploring future-oriented upgrades to broadband infrastructure. This effort seeks to enhance user experiences, drive digitalization across various sectors, and ultimately accelerate the digital economy in the Middle East and Central Asia.
The conference featured four main segments. The Regional Visions segment offered insights into ICT visions and national development plans from the UAE, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. Telecommunications leaders from du and Omantel shared perspectives on the pivotal role of optical networks in underpinning the digital foundation.
In the Technology Readiness segment, representatives from the World WLAN Applications Alliance (WAA) in China, ETSI Industry Specification Group (ISG) for Fixed 5G, and Huawei presented advancements in F5G-A technology. They showcased new service delivery and user experience milestones, emphasizing the technological advancements necessary for network implementation.
The event concluded with discussions on key drivers for advanced infrastructure development, including enablers and obstacles to network implementation, alongside new policy, regulatory, and sustainability approaches.
Bocar BA, CEO and Board Member of SAMENA Telecommunications Council, highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and private sectors in his opening keynote, stating, “Observations and advancements necessitate that both sectors work closely together and exchange priorities and capabilities on the fixed network fronts.”
In his closing remarks, BA underscored the need for policy evolution, saying, “We must advance necessary fixed-line infrastructure, unlock new capital, and share responsibilities to develop this infrastructure. It’s essential to cultivate human capital for the digital age and ensure broadband connectivity with quality-of-service standards at affordable rates.”
BA also commended the partnership with Huawei, stating, “SAMENA Council’s collaboration with Huawei is a strategic move towards fostering digital innovation in the region. The Huawei Global Digitalization Index (GDI) serves as an excellent measure to assess and accelerate ICT maturity across our region.”
The SAMENA Council recognizes that advancements in fifth-generation fixed networks and the integration of AI and emerging technologies can significantly boost digital economic development, fulfill ambitious national ICT visions, and drive transformative change across industries, particularly in GCC markets. There is a pressing need to enhance broadband speeds and expand optical fiber coverage to keep pace with more digitally advanced economies.
To achieve this goal, SAMENA Council stresses the necessity of adopting aggressive measures to advance broadband development, particularly through optical networks and cutting-edge technologies like F5G-A. Transitioning to gigabit infrastructure is crucial for regional economies to attain ICT maturity and thrive in an era defined by gigabit connectivity.
