The start of 2020 has seen an unprecedented spotlight shown on cybersecurity and data privacy. This has been embodied most recently by the rollout of 5G telecom networks around the world and the use of Huawei technologies to support those networks.

Reports and Coverage
Making 5G a commercial success
By An Jian, president of Carrier Networks Business Group, Huawei Middle East
5G is expanding at an exciting pace, creating opportunities for operators and end users alike. In the past, after a new generation of mobile communication technology has been launched, the pace of network deployment is managed step by step by operators, while investment and ROI come mainly from the consumer market. However, 5G is changing things – the differentiated capabilities offered are much more, the projected demand segments are diversified and the business model is redefined. In order to better monetize the available markets, 2C and 2B, a multi-way collaboration model between all stakeholders ought to materialize especially between carriers and vertical industries.
First-of-its-kind open access initiative launched in KSA
In a first-of-its-kind initiative for the Kingdom, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) launched an open access agreement between all six telecommunications companies, guaranteeing the provision of broadband services through any subscriber-selected service provider, independent of infrastructure ownership.
IoT: Internet of threats?
The internet of things (IoT) comprises of the billions of connected devices embedded in our homes, offices and cities, which are constantly collecting, analyzing and transmitting data. Some IoT devices, such as fitness trackers, are present with us everywhere we go. Others we interact with remotely, such as a smart thermostat system. Many are also invisible, operating to modulate traffic flows, industrial control systems and much more.
Financing 5G investments by deriving value from other assets
By Arnaud Comerzan, Senior Manager Regulatory and Frederic Doucet, Senior Manager, Sofrecom
For many years, mobile operators have built their marketing primarily around network-related statements: coverage, performance and quality of service. Owning and being the exclusive users of their infrastructures was thus enough to protect them to a large extent from competition, as such assets were then considered to be highly strategic.
Another GSMA conference cancelled
Following the coronavirus outbreak, the GSMA had to cancel recently the Mobile World Congress 2020 which was set to be held in Barcelona. Following that decision and for the same reasons, the GSMA in conjunction with the event host MTN GlobalConnect, has decided to postpone the April 2020 WAS meeting in Cape Town to the same venue to March 2021.
TRA Oman accelerates plans for 5G vertical industry applications
The Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has held a workshop to accelerate the development of 5G connectivity in the Sultanate, leveraging the latest technologies from around the world to spur national competitiveness in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Etisalat Group sees net profit grow to AED 8.7 billion
Etisalat Group has announced its consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31 2019. According to the report, twelve month consolidated revenues reached to AED 52.2 billion, while consolidated net profit after Federal Royalty for the twelve month amounted to AED 8.7 billion, an increase of 1% compared to same period last year.
The UAE: An abundance of smart cities
We are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, the most advanced revolution of all time which has been driven by the creation and adoption of emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), the Internet of things (IoT), as well as augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), among others.
IoMT: A revolutionary breakthrough for healthcare in the MENA region
As the global market for the internet of medical things (IoMT) continues to experience exponential growth, the entire landscape of the healthcare industry will continue to evolve and change, all in the name of more efficient patient care.