Reports and Coverage

By Maria Gabriella Macra, senior consulting manager, Sofrecom

The launching of 5G raises the topic of the digital gap/divide between developed and emerging countries, and between rural and urban areas within developed countries. Although theoretically, technology can fill this gap by eliminating the costs of building “buried” broadband access networks (fiber), the reality of backhauling needs shows that the difference in costs, at least in the short term, is not so significant. Verizon, which has already replaced the deployment of fiber optics in favor of fixed 5G network, has greatly reduced its ambitions, even though the target clientele was wealthy groups in residential areas of American cities.

Telecom Review announces this year’s Excellence Awards categories. As always, the awards aim to recognize the milestones and achievements of leading ICT brands and figures. Nominations are now open for the following categories:

Digital transformation is at the core of Etisalat’s strategy and encompasses a broad spectrum of initiatives, including new cloud-based products and services, the enhancement and development of its digital channels and the transformation and automation of internal as well as customer-facing processes through the adoption of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or AI-driven platforms. Digital channels such as mobile apps, websites or customer portals will continue to play a major role in both distribution channels and the maintenance of our brand relevance.

The constant and rapid technological evolution has put forth trends and concepts that now make the telecom and ICT industry quite a diverse and developed sector. Open radio access network, known as Open RAN, is one of the trends that has been shaping the industry. Leading telecom brands and experts are mobilized to further develop this network architecture, however different points of view exist regarding some of its controversial aspects.

Delivering a keynote speech during the opening ceremony of Huawei’s largest Global Cyber Security and Privacy Protection Transparency Center in Dongguan, China, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security, congratulated Huawei on the opening of the center.

NetEvents online conducted a webinar under the title ‘Data Center Technologies & Trends.’

The annual Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit will be back in its 15th edition on December 8th at Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, UAE. The Summit will be both physical and virtual which will allow panelists to join the panel discussions in Dubai from anywhere in the world and anyone will be able to virtually participate.

Salam is the new brand name for the Integrated Telecom Company (ITC), defining the company as human-centric, providing comprehensive and innovative solutions that will enable customers to reach new heights within a digitalized society.

In what has become an annual tradition, Telecom Review will honor leading ICT brands at the traditional Telecom Review Excellence Awards ceremony that will be held on the evening of the December 8th. As always, the winners will be chosen by an independent panel of judges.

Spain, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, India, Canada, and Serbia are only some of the countries that had recently released updates regarding spectrum auctions in each jurisdiction. According to GSA’s May 2021 spectrum auction calendar, 20 countries have completed their auctions for various licensing bases between Q1 and Q2 of this year.