Page 50 - SAMENA Trends - August 2020

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Tunisian Companies Invest in Innovative Tech Solutions

Tunisia was found to be the country where companies invested physical contact. The Ministry of Interior also acquired Enova
the most in innovative tech solutions during the crisis, an Oxford Robotics' PGuard, a robotic ground vehicle used to assist with
Business Group (OBG)'s Africa CEO Survey conducted at the end of the enforcement of the country's lockdown rules. Controlled
April and which results were published in report in July, revealed. remotely by government officers, the robot includes infrared and
Tunisia's emphasis on science and technology in recent years thermal cameras, an audio system, GPS tracking, and a sound
has meant that the country is well placed to adapt in response and light system that can be used to request identification papers
to the disruption caused by the pandemic, reads the 29-page and issue verbal warnings. Another example of the application
report entitled "Tunisia Covid-19 Response Report", conducted of new technology amid the pandemic is the Corona Bot, a
in collaboration with the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency digital application that can provide information and support for
(FIPA Tunisia). "Indeed, having demonstrated exceptional digital individuals over Facebook. The app uses artificial intelligence and
abilities, many of its African peers have identified Tunisia as a has sent over 200,000 messages to 10,000 individuals. According
cradle of innovation during the crisis." One of the technological to the report, the pandemic has also dramatically accelerated
innovations cited by the report is the Tunisian start-up Enova the implementation of mobile payment systems. "Prior to the
Robotics developed a robot known as Veasense, which is being outbreak, some private sector players had been calling for the
used to safely assist Covid-19 patients in Abderrahmen Mami removal of red tape that had held back the widespread adoption of
Hospital in Tunis. The robot allows medical staff to remotely mobile transactions since 2013, but there had been little success,"
conduct preliminary diagnoses and monitor patients without any it pointed out. "The crisis created an urgent need to quickly and
securely transfer small amounts of money to a large number of
people, after a TD200 exceptional aid package was rolled out
for 350,000 low income citizens." "Covid-19 has showcased the
importance of embracing digitalization and improving digital
infrastructure," Adnane Ben Halima, vice-president of public
relations for the Mediterranean region at Huawei told OBG.
"Changes since the start of the pandemic have been accompanied
by political will and a shift in mentality in favor of digitalization.
This has led to an expedited delivery of projects that have been
on standby for years in just a matter of weeks," he added. The
crisis revealed the importance and potential held by early-stage
businesses in helping address many of the challenges that
emerged, with innovative solutions devised by local start-ups,
such as telemedicine, the report concluded.

Tata Communications Obtains Local Telecoms License in Saudi Arabia

Tata Communications has announced that changes in the industry landscape,” said evolving business regulatory frameworks.
it has secured a Type B telecom license in Vaneet Mehta, associate vice president and The acquisition of the type B license will
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, enabling it to region head, Middle East, Central Asia & enable Tata Communications to expand
provide Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Africa, Tata Communications. “By securing its reach in the Middle East, leveraging its
related telecom services to enterprises in this telecom license in KSA, we will be global expertise and capabilities coupled
a defined capacity. Tata Communications able to seamlessly bring carrier-neutral with regional knowledge and experience to
will now become a carrier-neutral service services like internet connectivity, public/ cater to the new customer requirements.
provider to the OTTs, large enterprises private cloud, cyber security, borderless Tata Communications owns and operates
and MNOs in the region. The company will mobility and more such services to the the world’s only wholly owned subsea
be able to offer network transformation region. This will help simplify the digital network that encircles the globe. This
services in Saudi Arabia and address experience for our customers and aid network enables businesses to reach more
internet, network security, private cloud and them in transforming their businesses in than 200 countries and territories. Today,
SDWAN requirements across the region. the new normal,” he added. Saudi Arabia around 30 per cent of the world’s Internet
“A strong digital backbone has become is developing into a regional business hub routes travel over Tata Communications’
essential for businesses to address the in the Middle East, thanks in part to its network.

50 AUGUST 2020