Exclusive Interviews

Having a ubiquitous, reliable, and high speed broadband network is essential for socioeconomic growth and is pivotal for telecommunication operators' long-term survival. According to Ovum's recent report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is behind others in terms of both broadband penetration and basic access speeds. In order to remain competitive and take advantage of the opportunities that broadband access can provide, Michael Philpott, practice leader of Ovum's Consumer research practice and author of 'MENA Operators Need to Increase Investment in Broadband Infrastructure to Provide Excellent Quality of Service', believes that operators must invest in developing high quality fixed broadband networks that are capable of delivering minimum speeds of 10Mbps, and that are available and affordable to all. Telecom Review sat down with Michael Philpott to discuss this.

Global IT product and service provider, Elitecore, has over 150 network deployments worldwide for 59 service providers in more than 40 countries. Telecom Review sat down with Akshat Joshi, VP - WiFi Business, Sterlite Tech - Elitecore, to discuss trends and WiFi in the African market.

As an emerging player in the satellite industry, LeoSat Enterprises is proving itself a force to be reckoned with. Speaking exclusively to Telecom Review, Mark Rigolle, CEO, LeoSat Enterprises, elaborated on LeoSat’s highly anticipated satellite constellation which is expected to launch in 2019.

At Mobile World Congress 2016, Nokia demonstrated its AirScale Radio Access, which is said to be ""5G-ready"". Telecom Review recently sat with Aji Ed, head of Technology, Middle East & Africa, Nokia, who spoke in depth about the relationship between Nokia's AirScale and 5G.

Since its inception in 2010, Es'hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has grown into a major satellite operator in Qatar in the Middle East. Based in Doha, with the aim to be a truly global satellite operator and services provider, Es'hailSat started the operation of its first satellite Es'hail-1 at 25.5° East in 2013 supporting key broadcasters in the region, beIN SPORTS and Al Jazeera Media Network.Es'hailSat President & CEO, Mr. Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, spoke to Telecom Review about Es'hailSat's strong presence in the region, essential business partnerships, and plans to expand its worldwide satellite footprint.

Elitecore Technologies has over 16 years of experience in delivering next generation BSS, packet core and carrier WiFi solutions having over 175 network deployments with 59 service providers worldwide. The company proudly serves 13 of the top 30 global telecom operators. In the following interview, Vaibhav Mehta, Sr. VP - New Business Development, Elitecore Technologies, caught up with Telecom Review to discuss Elitecore's unique capabilities to monetize IP networks, pain points facing operators, the struggle operators face to increase ARPU in the data market and Elitecore's future focus points.

It's fairly well understood now that of the time people spend online, they're spending it on mobile and in just a handful of apps, including Facebook. What's remained top of mind for advertisers is how challenging it is for them to tell compelling brand and product stories on mobile in ways that are enjoyable for people and effective for their business.

Elitecore Technologies, founded in 1999, is an Indian-based global IT product company providing BSS alongside packet core with flexibility of modular and pre-integrated offerings. The company was recently acquired by Sterlite Technologies to expand its global reach, and is delving into new areas of smart cities, monetization, pay TV; new solutions adding to the company's existing telco business portfolio. Vaibhav Mehta, Senior VP, New Business Development, Elitecore Technologies, sat with Telecom Review at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, to discuss the company's expansion.

Sterlite Technologies has over a decade of experience in the telecom and broadband industry. During his time as CEO, Dr. Anand Agarwal has seen the company draw its roadmap on delivering smarter networks to expand its capabilities. Telecom Review caught up with Dr. Agarwal, who spoke about his vision as CEO, the benefits of Sterlite Tech's acquisition of Elitecore, how he plans to capitalize on the broadband data network creation globally, fulfilling operator monetization needs and R&D projects.

The smartphone market is a tough business; overcrowded and dominated by two leading brands. BlackBerry was once a leading mobile phone manufacturer, but has lost ground in recent years, even though its most recent device, the PRIV, is highly secure, offering consumer's privilege and privacy. Sales for the PRIV haven't peaked as highly as anticipated and the company has reached a crossroad. In an exclusive interview, John Chen, chairman and CEO of BlackBerry, opened up to Telecom Review about his plans to continue to provide premium secure smartphones, but also to steer BlackBerry towards the realm of IoT, enterprise and even smart cars, reinventing the business to cater to multiple dimensions.