In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review during the 18th edition of the Telecom Review Leaders' Summit, Hicham Siblini, Chief Technology & Infrastructure Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, shared his 5G vision and the transformative role this technology has on the telecom industry.
Siblini discussed the company's strategies for network scalability, its role in advancing smart cities, and how Ooredoo Qatar balances innovation with customer-centric solutions.
Q: As Chief Technology & Infrastructure Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, how do you see the role of 5G transforming the telecom industry in Qatar, and what innovative applications are you most excited about?
A: I believe that 5G is a journey. Ooredoo Qatar was one of the first operators worldwide to launch 5G services back in 2018. Initially, it was about offering premium connectivity to customers by enhancing their experience in terms of throughput and latency. Today, with the evolution of the technology and the maturation of the whole ecosystem through advancements such as IoT, cloud computing, and AI, more use cases are being enabled not only for the ICT sector but also for adjacent sectors like healthcare and manufacturing.
Q: With the rapid evolution of telecom infrastructure, what are the biggest challenges Ooredoo Qatar faces in ensuring network reliability and scalability, especially as demand for data and connectivity continues to grow?
A: We always ensure that we invest in the latest future-proof technologies. On one hand, we ensure that we have a scalable and upgradable network when it comes to capacity, coverage and new services; on the other, we make sure we enable adjacent new use cases.
For example, the combination of 5G Advanced with IoT, AI, and cloud computing will enable a better management smart cities. Today, with millions and millions of sensors being deployed using IoT, and RedCap technology over 5G on the horizon, this will significantly impact the transformation of the digital infrastructure of any country, more specifically, Qatar. This will also help improving safety, security, traffic management, and urban development.
Q: Ooredoo has been involved in various digital transformation initiatives. How do you prioritize and balance the need for cutting-edge technologies like AI, cloud computing, and IoT within your network infrastructure strategy?
A: We always listen to our customers, whether they're consumers or companies. So, we take their needs into consideration. As you said, we also invest in the latest AI, cloud computing, and edge computing technologies. On the other side, we make sure we align with major industry trends to make sure our investments are future-proof. This will ensure the right balance between the capacity and coverage we give to our customer and enable new business opportunities.
I'd also like to say that we are very proud to be part of the Ooredoo Group who operates in nine geographies, from South Asia to North Africa. This is a great opportunity for us to learn from those different markets and come up with innovative ideas for our local market in Qatar.
