The panel ‘Wholesale Industry’s Significant Influence in the Era of Multi-Connectivity,’ moderated by Georges Jaber, Vice President of Wholesale and Business Development at Salam, featured leading experts who explored the pivotal role of the wholesale and capacity industry in a digitally connected world.
Panelists included Anup Gupta, President SAARC Region, APTelecom; Mohammed Aliyu, Chief FibreCo Officer, Bayobab; Obaid Rahman, Head of International Wholesale, du; and Eng. Amjad Osama Arab, Chief Wholesale and Partnerships Officer, Salam.
The discussion focused on how the wholesale industry is driving innovation, expanding connectivity, and meeting the demands of the multi-connectivity era.
The digital age has opened unprecedented opportunities for the wholesale and capacity industry. Panelists highlighted the need for innovative approaches to enhance service offerings and meet the growing demands of global connectivity.
Advancing the Digital Ecosystem’s Connectivity
Multi-connectivity is redefining user and network interactions. The wholesale industry is at the forefront, providing the infrastructure needed to support a wide range of applications, from IoT to high-speed data services.
When asked about the latest trends in connectivity, particularly the submarine cable sector, Aliyu highlighted the explosion of data around the world. He noted a projected 7.7 petabytes of data by 2027, driven by 5G, AI, IoT, and cloud computing.
Gupta emphasized the synergy between data and submarine cables, stating, “We are helping a lot of data center companies to realize that networks are essential parts of data center connectivity.”
Rahman highlighted the significance of strategic partnerships in the Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC), citing the region’s positive approach to global collaboration.
Meanwhile, Salam’s Amjad highlighted Saudi Arabia's pivotal role as a hub for attracting diverse industries, including cloud computing and gaming platforms, to support and improve the operations of service providers.
Building a Digital Foundation
When asked about the effect of Africa’s location on policy strategies, Aliyu emphasized that the continent possesses great opportunity, underscoring that collaboration is needed to deliver innovative technologies.
Rahman emphasized the critical importance of strategic locations, and the roles regional telecommunication operators play in establishing a robust digital foundation.
Complementing Rahman’s focus, Gupta highlighted the growing demands of emerging markets and the importance of connectivity in transforming the digital landscape.
Amjad further emphasized that a strong digital foundation requires improved internet speeds and expanded hosting capacity, achieved by developing advanced infrastructure. “It’s not how many submarine cables are established, but how solutions are provided,” he added.
The Dynamic Landscape of Wholesale in the Enterprise Industry
The wholesale sector’s contribution to boosting network performance was a key focus. Experts underscored its role in ensuring seamless connectivity, supporting increasing data consumption, and enabling exceptional user experiences.
The panelists concurred that every country should implement initiatives to foster innovation, establish effective business models, and develop a strong digital ecosystem. Advancing the digital landscape, they noted, would drive value creation, cost optimization, and improved service quality while keeping pace with changing market demands.
The session highlighted the wholesale industry’s indispensable role in shaping the connectivity landscape, ensuring the region is well-prepared to thrive in an era of increasing digital demands.
