The GSMA continues to monitor and assess the potential impact of the Coronavirus on its MWC20 events held annually in Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles and as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences. The GSMA confirms that there is minimal impact on the event thus far. MWC Barcelona 24-27 February 2020, will proceed as planned, across all venues at Fira Gran Via Fira Montjuïc and La Farga L’Hospitalet, including YoMo and Four Years From Now (4YFN).
Reports and Coverage
Huawei’s 5G troubles to test Nordic competitors’ bandwidth
Tougher UK and EU rules restricting Chinese 5G network supplier, Huawei, could be a golden opportunity for competitors, Nokia and Ericsson, to take back the reigns. However, analysts are also warning that the companies may struggle to meet the increased demand.
Oman ICT Group and IFS collaborate to boost country’s ICT sector
IFS, the global enterprise applications company, has announced the signing of a new agreement with Oman ICT Group.
Apple, Broadcom trialed for patent infringement
A Los Angeles jury ordered Apple and Broadcom to pay $1.1 billion to a university in California for infringing on four Wi-Fi technology patents. Apple was ordered to pay $837 million and Broadcom must pay $270 million to the California Institute of Technology, in what is thought to be one of the largest patent verdicts ever.
BAI Communications welcomes new Group CEO
BAI Communications has announced that global wireless communications executive Igor Leprince has been appointed to the role of Group Chief Executive Officer commencing 1st May 2020.
Orange Business Services appoints new managing director in the UAE
Orange Business Services, a network-native digital services company, has announced the appointment of Osama Shwaihat as Managing Director for the UAE and Arabian Gulf. He is based at the company’s Middle East & Africa regional headquarters at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Oman registers increase in fixed internet subscribers
Oman’s National Centre for Statistics and Information unveiled that total fixed telephone lines rose by 5.7% to 592,196 by the end of December 2019, from 560,326 subscribers until end of December 2018. Analogue fixed telephone declined by 0.8% to 321,501 during the period under review.
Former chairman of TRA Lebanon appointed industry minister
Dr. Imad Hoballah has taken office as industry minister in Lebanon’s new cabinet formed by prime minister H.E. Hassan Diab. Dr. Hoballah was the provost and chief academic officer at the American University of Dubai which he joined in 2017.
UAE Ministry of Health launches blockchain-driven digital platform for health data
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a first-of-its-kind advanced digital platform for pharmaceutical public and private facilities as well as health practitioners to store their data.
New minister of telecommunications takes office in Lebanon
Lebanon’s new prime minister, H.E. Hassan Diab formed a new council of ministers with H.E. Talal Hawat as minister of telecommunications succeeding H.E. Mohamed Choucair.