Reports and Coverage

The smart home market is important for consumers for many reasons: energy savings, additional security and improved quality of life to name a few. But these benefits do not come for free. In fact, according to a GSMA whitepaper, consumers globally will be spending as much as $121 billion on the smart home market. While security companies and internet search companies have so far led the smart home market charge, it is still a much fractured market because of the myriad of offers and complexity of using all of these services. There is a huge opportunity to "make it simple" and "make it work". This is where service providers can play a vital role. How?

Satellite communications is the unrivaled video infrastructure across the Middle East and Africa (MENA), suggests a report by French satellite company Eutelsat. Speaking to press in Dubai ahead of CABSAT 2018 satellite expo, Eutelsat Deputy CEO Michel Azibert said 94 percent of homes in MENA receive their TV reception via satellite.

Qualcomm believes 5G will be a unified connectivity fabric across devices and services. The company's President, Christiano Amon, spoke to press at Qualcomm HQ in San Diego on 7 February about the chipset maker's great ambitions for the next-generation technology, in addition to a string of announcements that underpin the company's commitment to making 5G a commercial reality by 2019.

Spending on blockchain solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is set to more than double this year, according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation. The global technology research and consulting firm's recently launched 'Worldwide Semiannual Blockchain Spending Guide' shows spending in the region totaling $80.8 million for 2018, up 107% on the $38.9 million spent in 2017.

Blockchain Technology is threatening to redefine and completely transform and disrupt the financial sectors and other industries as we know it. It's another example of digital transformation and is the next disruptive technology. However, whilst Blockchain certainly represents huge potential and opportunity, the question is can it be applied practically?

Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Yasser El Kady, showcased the key achievements and future vision of the ICT sector till 2025 during his participation at the World Government Summit held in Dubai from February 11 to 14.

The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) awarded a Dubai-based Etisalat service center the first gold ranking for its outstanding customer service feedback under the TRA's Erteqaa Program. The service center - located on Sheikh Zayed Road near FAB metro station - is the only telecom service center in the UAE to receive five gold stars.

In the framework of the launch of its action plan for 2018 and its new modern vision, Ogero revealed its new logo and slogan "It All Starts Here" which revolves around integrity, innovation, growth, compassion and drive. The ceremony entitled "Ogero's preliminary plan 2018: Goals, achievements and new identity", was held under the patronage of H.E. Saad Hariri, President of the Council of Minister of Lebanon, on February 6th, 2018 at the Grand Serail, Downtown Beirut.

Dubai Data Establishment, an affiliate of Smart Dubai, launched new 'Dubai Data Policies' on 19 February in collaboration with Dubai's Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC). The policies are the most important pillar of the data initiative following the Dubai Data Law in 2015, and aim to safeguard data as a key component of Dubai's digital wealth.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), represented by ICT Fund, the TRA's funding arm, signed a cooperation agreement today with Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). Under this agreement, the TRA will fund the Emirates Mars Mission 2117 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.