On December 10, the Telecom Review Leaders' Summit hosted an engaging fireside chat that featured two of the telecom industry's key figures: Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, and Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review and CEO of Trace Media International.
"I've known Fahad for many years," Eid remarked. "I've witnessed up close the progress and achievements he's made over the years and the tremendous effort he has invested in making du a leading telecom brand in the UAE and beyond."
A Year of Achievements
Al Hassawi added to Eid’s remarks, highlighting du's impressive growth and achievements over the past three years, and its focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and strategic partnerships, such as those with the Dubai Airport, Netcracker, and Oracle.
As of 2024, du’s sub-brands include du Tech, du Pay, du Infra, du Business. Al Hassawi explained that these sub-brands are part of du's strategic efforts to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its position as a comprehensive technology provider.
"du Tech, du Pay, and du Infra are a natural evolution of our business. As we continue to expand into new markets, we needed dedicated sub-brands that would allow us to target specific sectors and customer needs more effectively," said Al Hassawi.
AI and Innovation
Al Hassawi acknowledged that AI is set to be a game-changer in telecom and that telecom operators, like du, play a critical role in supporting AI and digital transformation efforts across various industries. He also emphasized the importance of adapting to this way of thinking.
"AI will make the way we do certain jobs far better,” noted Al Hassawi. He further explained that AI will replace some jobs, but it will also create new ones. Existing roles may evolve, requiring different skills, while entirely new positions emerge. Reskilling is essential to help people transition into these opportunities. To address this, du collaborated with its HR team to develop an AI-focused reskilling program, addressing gaps in understanding and shifting perceptions.
