Page 34 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

distributed mesh architecture made up and Carrier arena discussed the future segments for additional synergies and
of subsea and terrestrial infrastructure of Regional Connectivity, Innovation, growth. Given that the wholesale industry
with a state-of-the-art layer of hyperscale Hyperscale Presence and the Competitive has at its core the transformation of the
and edge Data Centers”. Moreover, during Landscape. Over the last several years, infrastructure enabling global connectivity,
Capacity Middle East 2021 conference, Zain has been evolving to become a Zain considers the development of its
Hilali participated in keynote panel where fully integrated service provider and has wholesale business as a key area to the
leading regional figures in the Wholesale been focusing on enterprise and B2B telco’s overall transformation.

Zain Partners UNICEF to Launch Child Online Safety Booklet Promoting
Safe Esports and Gaming to Schools & Universities

awareness of esports among young people
in Kuwait, while also teaching them how to
enjoy the activity responsibly online. We
foresee gaming as the single largest use
case for 5G, and such we are dedicating
a great deal of effort and resources to
seeing Zain operating companies connect
to the gaming community to drive this and
similar high-value services.” Zain remains
one of the strongest advocates of raising
awareness related to child safety online
having previously launched a region-wide
media campaign targeting over 40 million
followers across all its social media
channels and an internal announcement
to all its 7,000 staff promoting tools and
resources that offer advice on how to
Zain Group announces its Zain esports with local schools specifically on esports keep children safe online. Commenting
gaming brand, has signed a memorandum activities, and the company is taking the on the launch of the Child Online Safety
of understanding (MoU) with Al-Bayan opportunity to also raise awareness on the Booklet Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group’s
Bilingual School Kuwait to assist the importance of young people remaining safe Chief Sustainability Officer, “Zain takes
institution in developing its esports club. while undertaking activities online. In this the issue of child safety online extremely
The MoU is a first step for Zain towards regard, the Child Online Safety Booklet will seriously and given the prominent position
working with schools and universities be shared with students at Bayan Bilingual the company plays in the digital space,
to educate students about the vast School and other educational institutions we believe it is imperative we spread
opportunities in the world of esports locally Zain esports interacts with. The aim of this message loud and far. We are all
and regionally. This MoU coincides with the the booklet is to educate children on the well aware of the enormous benefits of
launch of a Child Online Safety Booklet that risks they may face while connected online digitization, but as a society as a whole we
was developed by Zain Group Sustainability or gaming. The booklet also provides must take strong action to ensure the risks
and Esports departments in collaboration recommendations on what to do and not to that arise for children through connectivity
with UNICEF. The booklet, available in both do while connected. It was developed for are known and avoided to the greatest
Arabic and English, tackles topics such Zain esports to disseminate to any partner extent possible.” Tatjana Colin, Chief
as cyberbullying, scams and phishing, where children are key players, with the Early Childhood Development, UNICEF
identity theft and data privacy, and much aim to communicate and instill the idea Kuwait, added, “Children are spending
more, and is written in a manner that can of playing online responsibly. The booklet more of their time online than ever before
be understood by children of all ages. also points to the Child National Helpline and whilst the internet can be a fantastic
Under the MoU, Zain esports will provide in Kuwait in a bid to raise awareness of the resource for supporting education, access
hardware for Al-Bayan Bilingual School to service in the country. Commenting on the to information and recreation, it can also
set up and operate its esports club, along collaboration of Zain esports with Al-Bayan expose children to broad range of risks. It’s
with expertise and support for the school’s Bilingual School Kuwait, Malek Hammoud, essential that youth are equipped with the
staff to run tournaments and organize Group Chief Investment and Digital Officer knowledge they need on how to stay safe
workshops to educate and enlighten at Zain Group said, “This first of many whilst gaming online and where to go for
students about the many opportunities in planned agreements with educational support if you experience inappropriate
esports and gaming. Zain is one of the first institutions across Kuwait and the behaviors online. violence. This booklet is
telecom operators in the region to work region, fulfils the twin goals of expanding designed to support sharing this knowledge

34 APRIL-MAY 2021