Page 28 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024
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REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES  SAMENA TRENDS


                                             e& Carrier & Wholesale Achieves Dual Wins at

                                             CC-Global Awards in Berlin


        e&  Carrier  &  Wholesale  has  secured  two   transformation,   being   recognized   by   e&’s  transformative  impact  on  the  digital
        notable  awards  at  the  eighth  annual   industry  experts  at  the  CC-Global  Awards   landscape.  The  recognition  reflects  e&’s
        Carrier Community Global Awards (CCGA)   in Berlin for both our operational excellence   dedication to driving digital innovation and
        in  Berlin,  achieving  ‘Best  Regional  Data   and impactful digital infrastructure inspires   connectivity,  setting  new  standards,  and
        Center Operator’ and ‘Middle East Regional   us  to  innovate  further,  empowering  our   contributing to the broader advancement of
        Operator  of  the  Year’.  Nabil  Baccouche,   global  partners  for  substantial  growth.”   the industry. e& has evolved from a leading
        Group  Chief  Carrier  &  Wholesale  Officer,   Being  honored  as  the  Middle  East   telecom  operator  into  the  fastest-growing
        e&,  said:  “In  a  landscape  driven  by   Regional  Operator  of  the  Year  highlights   tech  brand  in  the  Middle  East  and  Africa
                                                                                 (MEA) region. Its strategic expansion and
                                                                                 presence across continents positions e&'s
                                                                                 as a key global player in both telecom and
                                                                                 technology sectors. By embracing cutting-
                                                                                 edge technologies and deploying advanced
                                                                                 tools  and  solutions,  e&  drives  operational
                                                                                 efficiency  and  effectiveness  to  deliver
                                                                                 exceptional  value  to  its  customers.  e&
                                                                                 Carrier  &  Wholesale  was  also  recognized
                                                                                 in the ‘Best Regional Data Center Operator’
                                                                                 category  for  its  SmartHub  Data  Centers,
                                                                                 reflecting  its  commitment  to  innovation,
                                                                                 connecting  digital  communities,  and
                                                                                 supporting  its  sustainability  agenda.  This
                                                                                 combination  of  advanced  technology,
                                                                                 strategic  locations,  and  a  focus  on
                                                                                 security, efficiency, and connectivity makes
                                                                                 SmartHub  Data  Centers  a  powerful  asset
                                                                                 for major hyper-scalers, content providers,
                                                                                 CDNs, gaming platforms, financial service
                                                                                 providers,  and  telcos  in  today's  digital
                                                                                 landscape.

        e& Mulls €8bn European Expansion Via United Group Purchase


        United  Group  owns  telecoms  operations   announced  next  month,  according  to  the   under  scrutiny  from  the  UK  government,
        in  Serbia,  Slovenia,  Croatia,  Bosnia  &   sources.  Discussions  remain  in  the  early   however,  with  regulators  worried  that  the
        Herzegovina,  Montenegro,  Bulgaria,  and   stages,  with  according  to  the  sources   stake represents a risk to the UK’s national
        Greece. According to anonymous sources   suggesting  that  United  could  ultimately   security.
        speaking  to  Bloomberg,  Abu  Dhabi-  be  sold  piecemeal  to  multiple  buyers.
        based  operator  group  e&  is  looking  to   This is not e&’s first foray into Central and
        expand  into  eastern  Europe  through  the   Eastern  Europe.  Last  year,  e&  purchased
        acquisition  of  international  telco  United   a controlling stake in PPF Telecom, which
        Group. The sources say e& is evaluating a   has operations in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia
        potential  purchase,  noting  United  Group’s   and  Slovakia.  The  stake,  worth  €2.15
        majority owners, BC Partners, would seek   billion,  was  e&’s  first  major  investment  in
        a  valuation  of  the  company  of  around  $8   Europe,  following  an  announced  strategic
        billion. United Group reportedly has Serbia,   shift to focus more heavily on the region,
        Slovenia,  Croatia,  Bosnia  &  Herzegovina,   rather than their existing markets in Asia.
        Montenegro,  Bulgaria,  and  Greece.  BC   e&  also  has  a  14.6%  stake  in  Vodafone
        Partners  are  themselves  already  working   Group, with its CEO Hatem Dowidar taking
        with advisors to explore the sale of United   a  place  on  the  UK-headquartered  group’s
        Group,  with  a  formal  sale  expected  to  be   board earlier this year. This stake has come


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