Page 8 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

the most innovative and advanced customers’ needs and demands which play services, forging new and stimulating
technologies in the ICT industry, and is now expanding to more geographic partnerships locally, regionally and
the right tools and services that work markets. globally to exceed the expectations of our
together to protect our partners against customers, and of course investing in new
any potential cyber threats. Q. How is STC Group’s strategy reflected infrastructure to pave the way for future
in VIVA Bahrain’s digital services strategy, connectivity such as the 5G, and cutting-
And while this is yet a growing discipline, especially in terms of regional digital edge communication technologies such
VIVA is working fast and hard to enable transformational needs? as cyber security, cloud computing, mobile
everyday customers and businesses to A. STC is a world-class digital leader, that payment, and many more.
become smarter through the use of cloud, provides innovative services and platforms
cyber security, Internet of Things (loT) and to its customers and is working to enable Q. Do you feel sufficiently equipped and
big data. the digital transformation of the MENA policy-wise enabled to prepare for the 5G
region. Being one of the fast-performing world?
We believe that data subsidiaries of the STC Group across the A. Since our establishment, we have
been working hand in hand with Bahrain
region, we have the same aspiration; we
protection is at the core of focus on building a portfolio of innovative, Telecom Regulatory Authority to transform
moving towards a Digital content-rich and customer-centric Bahrain’s telecommunications landscape
Economy, and that cross- products and solutions that cater to the to the highest international standards. And
growing needs of Bahrain’s community
in June 2018, we achieved a significant
border data flows directly and are committed to enabling digital milestone by being one of the first countries
influence economic transformation in the Kingdom of Bahrain. in the world to introduce 5G elements
As an STC company, VIVA’s strategy is
across our national network. Not only
growth, job creation and aligned with the Group’s overall strategy that, but earlier this year we became the
partnerships as a result of which - simply put - is to expand first operator in Bahrain to commercially
provide 5G network to its customers.
STC’s topline, create value with greater
accessing new markets. efficiencies, while preparing the company
for the future. In other words, this means All of this would not have been possible
Q. To what extent do you feel improving to become a data driven organization, without TRA’s remarkable efforts in
cross-border data flows could positively to reinvent customer experience at enabling the launch of 5G networks and
impact VIVA Bahrain’s business? world class standards, and to expand securing the necessary spectrum and
A. Data is the essence of the modern global aggressively in scale and scope are also. adequate frequency licenses.
economy and we see businesses of all
sorts use data to create value and become And that is translated in everything we do; 5G is here. 5G network is in its first phase
more efficient through centralizing their from ensuring that we deliver world class and is available in select areas. We are
operations, which ultimately helps them customer experience and providing our working night and day to expand our reach
grow their business using flexible, cost- customers with a range of contact points, and increase the number of locations where
effective, cloud-based infrastructure. to launching several digital services such 5G is available to meet the raising demand
Today’s digital trade depends on the ability as VIVA Cash, Connected life, Apps for of our customers, who are becoming
to move data across borders without queuing systems and VIVA Self Service more internet-savvy and are looking for
restriction, creating positive outcomes not Machines. Not to mention working real-time and on-the-go products and
only for businesses, but for consumers relentlessly to diversify and expand our services. But the 5G ecosystem is still
and countries as well. offerings to go beyond the telecom pure developing and it needs sometime before

We believe that data protection is at the STC is a world-class digital leader, that provides innovative
core of moving towards a Digital Economy, services and platforms to its customers and is working
and that cross-border data flows directly
influence economic growth, job creation to enable the digital transformation of the MENA region.
and partnerships as a result of accessing Being one of the fast-performing subsidiaries of the STC
new markets.
Group across the region, we have the same aspiration;

For us, it is translated to international we focus on building a portfolio of innovative, content-
connectivity, increased demand for higher rich and customer-centric products and solutions that
speed services and more capacity, more
opportunity for cyber security services, cater to the growing needs of Bahrain’s community and
more cloud-based offerings, such as are committed to enabling digital transformation in the
Content Delivery networks, hosting
services. It is all about fulfilling our Kingdom of Bahrain.

8 AUGUST 2019