To thrive in a rapidly expanding digital landscape, telcos must constantly innovate to stay ahead of the competition. Moreover, since the advent of 5G technology five years ago, over 240 commercial 5G networks have been put into operation around the world. In the Middle East alone, 5G coverage has reached 45 million people, with over 20 million 5G users, including 2.3 million 5G fixed broadband users and 57,000 5G leased line users, according to the GSMA.
As expected, emerging technologies such as AI, cloud and blockchain are making their way to the market with innovative product and service offerings. As such, telcos must look for new ways to optimize complex network operations, differentiate customer experiences and ultimately run a profitable business.
The Power of R&D
Investments in R&D to drive differentiating service offerings have been a proven practice for all successful telecom companies. Lack of R&D means telcos risk falling into a state of low yield and low growth.
In March, etisalat by e& became the first telco in the UAE to successfully implement the EUTELSAT QUANTUM satellite solution to expand 5G network capabilities over a software-defined satellite, offering its customers faster internet speeds, enhanced coverage and scalability to match the demands of high-bandwidth applications. etisalat by e& achieved this feat after intensive testing for over a year, resulting in the rapid scaling of 5G mobile network deployment.
Again in May, etisalat by e& launched its new Maritime SATCOMS portfolio of services for all vessels operating in UAE territorial waters and beyond, including 16 countries and 164 million customers served by e& across the Asia, Middle East and North Africa regions. The new etisalat by e& maritime service caters to multiple mobility clients with a range of competitively priced, flexible bandwidth options featuring relatively higher committed information rates, round-the-clock support services, and a locally operated, fully managed service that is fully compliant with local regulations. These services have helped etisalat by e& consolidate its SATCOMS deployment offerings with innovation and reliability, enabling customers to embark on a journey of seamless maritime solutions.
Similarly, to keep up with the fast pace of technological advancement, Huawei is known for its R&D investments to efficiently expand its market reach. Huawei annually invests 10% of its sales revenue into R&D, developing new technologies to meet future demands. For example, considering the Middle East’s rapid acceleration in the deployment of 4G and 5G networks, Huawei has already inked strategic MOUs with regional operators to explore advanced technologies such as 5.5G and F5.5G.
5.5G is set to revolutionize connectivity with its ultra-broadband capabilities and deterministic latency. It empowers various sectors, enhancing human-to-human, human-to-vehicle and human-to-thing interactions. The advent of 5.5G is expected to unleash a new era of digital infrastructure, enabling significant advancements in personal, vehicular and industrial connectivity. 5.5G will enhance immersive 3D interactions, facilitate the adoption of AI-generated content and transform IoT deployments, vehicle connectivity, home broadband experience and so on.
Another noteworthy mention for adopting innovation in its digital transformation journey is the telecom company Ooredoo Oman. Under its new brand tagline, “Upgrade Your World,” the company has made significant progress in its presence in the telecom market in Oman. It was recently named the “Most Innovative Digitally Transformed Telecom Company — Oman 2023” at the Global Business Outlook (GBO) Awards, which recognizes and rewards companies from around the world for their performance, innovation and drive to create value.
Closing the Digital Gap
To stay relevant in the 5G era, it is the responsibility of all ICT players to contribute to bridging the digital divide across the globe. According to the UN, an estimated 37% of the world's population (2.9 billion people) is untouched by the Internet.
With that in view, ZTE, which is a global ICT solutions provider, collaborates with ITU through the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition to provide connectivity in the most remote places in various countries. In Zambia, for instance, ZTE partnered with MTN to build the first over 100G backbone optical network in the southern part of the country to connect with border cities in South Africa, reducing international export exchange traffic and effectively lowering mobile data costs with enhanced network experience. Such practical actions can make significant contributions to building an inclusive world with sustainable connectivity access for all. Moreover, such proactive actions will build the reputation of ICT companies in the good books of the citizens of the countries where they operate, which is a pivotal factor in the company’s growth.
Upskilling the Younger Generation
“While technology is getting simpler for the end users, it is getting more complex on the back end. Hence, there is a need for great talents to create, research and develop such technologies,” says Nicolas Blixell, vice president and head of Gulf Council Countries at Ericsson.
A well-defined strategy for upskilling talent must be a regular feature of all telecom companies in the 5G era and beyond. The development of the ICT industry will largely depend on the capability of the task force to unlock the opportunities offered by new technologies. Only well-trained talents can navigate through the complexity of operations to come up with productive and workable solutions.
As a prime example, Ericsson has been working with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and universities for mentorship programs and collaborations to provide the ICT students in Oman with projects in 5G and IoT, encompassing diverse use cases in agriculture, sustainability and energy efficiency, as well as other future-ready projects. Similarly, e&’s AI Graduate program, du’s INSEAD program, Huawei Executive Leadership Program, Seeds for the Future and Tech4Good are some of the programs that are equipping the new generation with the much-needed ICT skillsets.
The Menace of Misinformation and Disinformation
Last but not least in the 5G discussion is the explosion of misinformation and disinformation that we are witnessing today. As an age-old tool used to confuse the masses, false information has taken on a new dimension in the age of artificial intelligence and machine learning, which have seen rapid adoption in the 5G era.
Any telecom company that wants to position itself as a leader in the industry must take the necessary steps to control and minimize the spread of such false information in its areas of operation. Bad actors have been overly enthusiastic about using technology to divert opinions and create confusion among the masses.
The upcoming 2024 US presidential race is expected to see the use of advanced tools powered by artificial intelligence on a wide scale to blur the lines between truth and reality.
As such, telcos will need to cooperate with governments, industry players and academia to build a defense mechanism against the spread of disinformation/misinformation.
A recent agreement between the ITU Arab Regional Cyber Security Center (ITU-ARCC) and Huawei to jointly promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) in cybersecurity is a step in the right direction.
Through the agreement, ITU-ARCC and Huawei, along with the Oman National CERT, seek to strengthen the collaboration among Arab cybersecurity experts to effectively address threats and incident response in cyberspace. It also aims to nurture an open, mutually beneficial and neutral cybersecurity ecosystem through inclusive public and private partnerships. In addition, the global ICT industry is struggling to come up with transparent guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence, which is set to radically transform our lifestyle and habits in a 5G-driven digital-first economy. Telcos must consider the above discussion in light of the huge responsibility they uphold when it comes to leading the world in the right direction in both the physical and virtual realms.
