Page 14 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

COVID-19 VS TELECOM INDUSTRY SAMENA TRENDS

Due to COVID-19, some challenges in the standardized use in similar situations 5G investments, while keeping current
continuity of the leadership have also elsewhere. market sustainability needs and demands
been observed. Thus some countries in check.
have announced postponement of However, the 5G approach transcends
elections. Had we had 5G capabilities technology. What we need is a 5G culture, What the current COVID-19 crisis has
fully in place, remote balloting through a with all necessary mindsets, practices, brought to the surface is that, although
fully immersive experience, with integrity capabilities, attitudes, swiftness in reaction after at least six long years of deliberations
and confidentiality of the voting process and intervention, and a far-reaching vision and speculations we may have started
ensured, could have been conducted, for a smart, sustainable society. our journey toward 5G, we have yet not
reducing uncertainty as well as time and fully mastered our mindset for it. After
administrative costs in electioneering. Now is the time to revisit and re-energize the new Coronavirus, it is this need for
our multi-stakeholder engagement cultural change that must now become
Had we had 5G in place, our management approaches. 5G win-win scenarios now viral. Clearly, no win-win technology
models for the smart-city environment need to focus on how we can expedite deployment scenarios in the future will
would have been well on their way to 5G development rather than if we need be complete without due consideration
being tested for actual implementation it. Core issue areas in 5G investments given to health management and epidemic
by now. That is, data aggregation, remain centered on incentivization of control, among other considerations such
processing, and transmission capability infrastructure investments, including on as implementing cybersecurity, fixing
being demonstrated by 5G in the case spectrum and fiber deployment, and on security vulnerabilities in existing and
of healthcare sector can very well be creating relevant partnerships among future networks, and ensuring the safety
emulated in national or regional disaster terrestrial and satellite operators and of children and young people (CYP) online.
management approaches, autonomous other digital space players. Moreover, COVID-19 must inspire acceleration of
logistics and transportation of resources, policy-makers and regulators should now 5G update, and we need to develop a
urban development and management, categorically reconsider infrastructure technology plus collaboration culture to
and environmental protection. All of these regulations, spectrum policies, industry deal with natural disasters and similar
areas are important to realizing the vision fees and taxation, incentives and crisis situations in the future.
of sustainable smart cities, and are equally competition policies to help accelerate
important globally, given their close
correlation with SDGs. Call-for-action 3. align national ICT visions with global
To support the implementation of dozens trends and agreed ICT development
Developing the 5G Culture and Moving of recommendations issued earlier by objectives, by formulating clear
Forward leading global bodies, such as the UN telecommunications industry plans
As a source of inspiration and Broadband Commission, it is highly and corresponding digitization
encouragement, at least one real field test pertinent that industry decision-makers promotion policies, which should also
on the 5G’s promise of large bandwidths, take immediate steps to: help enhance competitiveness within
high speeds, and low latency in making 1. promote that ICT infrastructure is the telecommunications industry;
COVID-19 diagnosis and patient care fundamental to the survivability of 4. encourage 5G+ industry applications
efficient and safer for the medical the nations and thus positive policies to develop a full-fledged 5G
practitioners as well as the surroundings, must be framed as soon as possible ecosystem, by ensuring that
has been conducted — leveraging allied to incubate innovation to accelerate platforms and facilities are provided
technologies, such as drones for carrying digital infrastructure development to new comers and that market-
medical supplies and supporting policing and transformation; entry barriers are reduced for new
efforts, robots equipped with AI capability 2. define clear digital blueprints, to investors; and
and voice prompts, temperature detection, achieve common consensus among 5. identify and foster ICT talent, and
thermal imaging, disinfectants, among policy-makers and ICT ecosystem put in practice talent management
other features. This clearly demonstrates players; approaches.
that the technology tools are ready for

About the Author
Bocar BA is CEO & Board Member of SAMENA Telecommunications Council. He participates in leading platforms and global
telecommunications development institutions, including the ITU, UN Broadband Commission, and World Economic Forum (WEF) Global
Future Council, among others, as a representative of Telecom Operators and private sector, at large. He advocates on the need for
effective policy-making and next-generation regulation.
Contributors
This thought piece draws inspiration from insights provided by the TRA-UAE.
Izhar Ahmad, Director - Industry Affairs & Communication, SAMENA Council, contributed from conception to publication. He is member
of Eta Kappa Nu.

14 MARCH 2020