SAMENA ACCELERATOR: Advancing 10 Gigabit Infrastructure

The highly anticipated SAMENA ACCELERATOR event focusing on 10 Gigabit digital infrastructure development, hosted by the SAMENA (South Asia Middle East North Africa) Telecommunications Council, concluded successfully on October 13th. The event took place at JAFZA One Convention Centre in Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE.

In collaboration with Huawei Technologies, a valued member of the SAMENA Council, the SAMENA ACCELERATOR on 10 Gigabit infrastructure was held as a policy-level session within the main Ultra Broadband Forum 2023.

Building upon the success of the 2021 edition, which centered on advancing fiberization policies and driving momentum for the shift towards IPv6 transition, the 2023 SAMENA ACCELERATOR aimed to reaffirm the pressing need for embracing Fiber and IPv6 innovations that have come to the forefront in the last two years.

The SAMENA Council believes that these innovations, when harnessed as critical enablers for Gigabit networks in the SA-ME-NA region, especially within the GCC markets, can significantly accelerate digital economic development. This approach aligns with ambitious national ICT visions and paves the way for genuine industrial and societal transformation in the region and neighboring areas, including Central Asia.

Bocar BA, CEO & Board Member of SAMENA Council, stated, “The October 13th SAMENA ACCELERATOR addressed the progress of regional markets in fulfilling national ICT visions and the materialization of the gigabit society concept, which is already under implementation in developed countries. Here, in our region, we aimed to plant the seeds for the 10 Gigabit society. Advances in fixed-line networks, investments in 5G, coupled with excellent policy and regulatory approaches have the potential to help us realize this concept.”

SAMENA Council acknowledges that the region, as well as neighboring areas, need to catch up with economies that have more experience in digital transformation. Significant steps must be taken to advance broadband development and IPv6 transformation, and transitioning to a “gigabit” society represents a significant leap forward.

The primary objective of the SAMENA ACCELERATOR event was to create a lasting impact beyond basic internet connectivity. The long-term goal is to establish an intelligent world built on enhanced connectivity, requiring extensive availability of digital infrastructure encompassing mobile, fixed-line, and cloud solutions. It also demands comprehensive digital space and security to accommodate the billions of connections taking place before our eyes.

In this digital era, ultra-broadband networks stand as the cornerstone infrastructure for communities and businesses. Fixed-line and fiber networks, along with intelligent cloud-based capabilities that leverage IPv6 and innovative cloud business models, are poised to underpin the thriving society of our digitally-driven future. Given that the “Gigabit society” concept is already being implemented in developed regions, such as Europe, it was essential to promptly sow the seeds for a 10 Gigabit society in the region, further expediting the development of advanced digital infrastructure for the next decade.

With substantial investments already directed towards 5G and a flourishing ultra-broadband network landscape, it is crucial to take stock of the progress and ensure that the region remains at the forefront of digital transformation.

The SAMENA Council expressed its gratitude to industry professionals for participating in the SAMENA ACCELERATOR and warmly welcomed guests to Dubai.

Further information about this edition of SAMENA ACCELERATOR is available at: SAMENA Accelerator – 10 Giga Digital Infrastructure for Accelerating a Robust & Sustainable Digital Economy (samenacouncil.org)