Page 4 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

EDITORIAL SAMENA TRENDS

Human-Centric Innovation, Collaboration, and Technology

in an AI-Mediated World

As the digital economy continues to interconnected components of a new digital
evolve, the focus across our region and foundation being built across our region
globally is shifting from high-level visions and beyond. New technologies such as 5G-
to practical execution. The recent CRO- A, AI, IoT, and NTN-terrestrial integration
IAGDI deliberations, chaired by the SAMENA are introducing both possibilities and
Council and held during GSR-25 in Riyadh, complexities. Addressing these requires
underlined an urgent and shared commitment regulatory agility, investment innovation, and
to addressing the most pressing regulatory above all, strong public-private partnerships
and developmental challenges facing the that are aligned with local priorities while
global digital ecosystem, and challenges also interoperable with global standards.
that require not just technological innovation
but also unprecedented cooperation. One of the clearest takeaways from ongoing
industry dialogues is that harmonization of
Much is changing around us. We are policy and frameworks is essential. This aids
witnessing a transformation in core industry not only regional integration, but also creates
models. Instead of static service offerings, we an environment conducive to cross-border Bocar A. BA
Chief Executive Officer
are now aiming for dynamic, end-customer services, data flows, innovation, investment, & Board Member
value models that prioritize real-time and accelerates standardization. In the latter SAMENA Telecommunications
personalization, flexible service bundles, and context, the recent strategic partnership Council
immersive digital experiences. Customer between the WAA and the SAMENA Council
loyalty now strongly depends on receiving marks a timely step toward strengthening
tailored services that meet individual broadband development, WLAN delineate the urgency of aligning
expectations. For telecom operators, this optimization, scenario-based performance regulatory frameworks and innovation
shift enables a focus on revenue-generating standards, and to help foster broadband agendas to sustain growth in an
activities by concentrating on personalized affordability, digital inclusion, and long-term increasingly digital and interoperable
offerings, thereby improving overall business sustainability of the Internet. world.
efficiency. This transformation is increasingly
powered by AI-driven systems that enable On the satellite front, the appointment of Dr. From creating infrastructure to ensuring
rapid reconfigurability (as discussed in this Badr Alsuwaidan as President and CEO of it meets real, evolving user needs, there
edition). It is the ability to quickly adapt and Arabsat brings renewed momentum to the is a dire need to work together, put in
customize services in response to evolving sector and to the SAMENA Council board of place initiatives that facilitate multi-
customer needs, customer choices, and directors, especially as new concepts and stakeholder collaboration, practical
overall market demand. issues emerge in the satellite/NTN domain policy innovation, and continuous
requiring proactive leadership. investment in capabilities, frameworks,
Embracing such agility is also critical for and trust. The connected, inclusive,
regulators, operators, and technology Overall, in parallel to discussions taking secure, and intelligent future that we all
partners alike in an AI-mediated world. place on regional priorities, major platforms are striving to create requires our
such as GITEX Global continue to reflect regional strengths, shared knowledge,
Agility also merits an understanding of the region’s drive to lead in emerging and a long-term commitment to digital
the themes and industry issues present technologies and digital services, offering inclusion, timely technology deployment,
around us. Themes such as connectivity a clear view of how AI, connectivity, and and careful attention to the changing
infrastructure, spectrum efficiency, universal public-private cooperation are converging. requirements of our evolving digital
access, and security governance are no Such gatherings, and the SAMENA Council’s ecosystems and the many industries
longer standalone topics, but are deeply own member-sponsored industry meetings, that are now interlinked.

4 AUG-SEP 2025