Page 25 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

to increase data security and reliability, drive digital transformation regionally. In and service verification completed by the
predominately through the implementation partnership with Huawei, we are now laying stc Group and Huawei is based on the
of the mainstream technology, GPON/10G the foundations for the next-generation existing access platform and wavelength
PON. In recent years, the rapid development of connectivity via 50G PON, ensuring we specifications that comply with industry
of various new services, such as continue to improve user experience and standards. The service can coexist with
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality accelerate digital transformation with the 10G PON on stc’s live optical network,
(VR), has promoted the evolution of optical leading networks." Feng Zhishan, President proving its stable high rate and low latency.
access technologies. Currently, 50G PON of Optical Access Network Product Line This signifies a seamless evolution of the
[1] is considered the next-generation PON at Huawei, said, "Huawei will leverage PON network, laying solid foundations for
technology across the industry, including its continuous R&D investment in 50G large-scale deployment of 50G PON in the
operators and equipment vendors. Bader PON technologies to help stc Group build future. This verification test is a key step in
Allhieb, Infrastructure VP of stc Group, advanced optical access networks, provide leading the way to the next generation of the
said: "As a digital champion in the Middle premium network connections for homes industry and joint technology innovation.
East, stc has been active in adopting the and enterprises, and lead the industry
industry's leading technology solutions to development." The 50G PON technology

e& Named MEA’s Most Valuable Portfolio of
Telecom Brands, by Brand Finance

e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group)
has consolidated its position as the most
valuable portfolio of telecom brands in the
Middle East and Africa (MEA), according
to the 2023 Brand Finance Global 500 Re-
port released at the World Economic Forum
(WEF) in Davos. Highlighting its transfor-
mation efforts into a global technology and
investment conglomerate, e& has achieved
remarkable business growth and unwaver-
ing stakeholder confidence in 2022, with its
portfolio of brands now exceeding a total
value of US$14 billion. This reflects the suc-
cess of the Group's business strategy over
the past year, which has introduced further
improvements in customer service, more
people-focused products and new digital
services across its specialist business ver-
ticals. etisalat by e&, the Group's largest
telecom brand, also retained its position pushing the boundaries of technology and the emergence of the metaverse. "As we
as the strongest telecom brands across all service excellence, we have emerged as an help usher in the next wave of digital tech
categories in the MEA region, achieving a inspiring global technology conglomerate; transformation, we will continue exploring
score of 89.1 out of 100 and a AAA rating, this international recognition makes us new business models in the digital space.
according to the report. It was also rated extremely proud," he said. “We will contin- Our strategic priority is to drive new part-
one of the top three telecom brands in the ue to earn the trust of our customers and nerships and investment opportunities
world, due to its market reach, operational stakeholders by developing and innovating that will accelerate the growth of all our
capabilities, and outstanding customer ser- cutting-edge products and services that business verticals.” "With sustainability at
vice record. Hatem Dowidar, GCEO of e&, meet the needs of our 162 million subscrib- the heart of everything we do, the e& ESG
said the Group’s endorsement by the Brand ers in 16 countries across the Middle East, framework has become an integral part of
Finance was both humbling and a worthy Asia and Africa," Dowidar added. Dowidar the Group's business model. We have suc-
reflection of the UAE’s unstinting com- said that e& had made significant strides cessfully created an ecosystem in which
mitment to unlock economic growth and in Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, we operate, communicate and deliver our
potential through its investment in state- Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality products and services to stakeholders and
of-the-art infrastructure and digital trans- (AR), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud customers, enabling us to be a key player
formation. "Guided by our 46-year legacy of computing, and technologies supporting in the search for clean and green solutions.

25 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2023