Telecom Operators

GENBAND, a leading provider of real time communications solutions, announced that UAE-based telecommunications service provider du has selected GENBAND's Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Session Border Controller (SBC) to provide industry-leading interconnect applications, enabling seamless connectivity between disparate communications networks, a first in the Middle East. The geo-distributed Virtual Network Function (VNF) SBC running in du's cloud will combine with GENBAND's Advanced Media Software (AMS) on the Q50 platform in a hybrid deployment environment, offering the service provider high network resiliency and the opportunity to future-proof its network via a seamless evolution path to a fully virtualized cloud environment.

At Mobile World Congress, Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and Cisco announced that they have signed a three-year managed services agreement to transform STC's core network and operations, and prepare it for the digital era. The long-term contract delivers the full functionality of a Service Provider-grade Network Operating Center (NOC) to support STC's drive to introduce new services, improve customer experiences and enhance network agility and performance.

Etisalat Group and Ericsson have signed an agreement to deploy the first-of-its-kind Unified Delivery Network (UDN) platform across the Middle East.

Her Excellency Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, director general, Smart Dubai Office, successfully delivered a keynote speech at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. In her talk, Dr. Bishr spoke about the basic techniques and innovations that can be utilized in the future of smart cities. Speaking at the Ministerial program held on the sidelines of the congress, she urged that no time should be wasted in the use of modern technology, especially for efforts directed towards the transformation process of becoming a smart city.

UAE is ranked no. 1 for the highest Fiber to the Home (FTTH) penetration in 2016 among all its global counterparts, according to the leading industry body FTTH Council.

Ghassan Abdul Wahab Itani, CEO of Integrated Telecom Company (ITC), the leading Information and Communications Technology Company confirmed that the company took it upon themselves to contribute with the Saudi community in working to achieve everything needed for the Vision 2030, which will help to enhance and grow the country’s economy.

Zain Group announces its recognition as a winner of the GSMA's "Outstanding Contribution to the Mobile Industry Award" for 2017. The award was presented to Zain Group and four other mobile operators Asiacell, Deutsche Telekom, Turkcell and Vodafone on 26 February 2017, the eve of Mobile World Congress, at the GSMA's annual Welcome Dinner at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, in the presence of His Majesty, King Felipe VI of Spain.

Zain Saudi Arabia and Nokia signed an Memorandum of Understanding to work together on developing 5G and define a clear path toward building the next-generation ultra broadband networks in Saudi Arabia. Both companies will combine their expertise to develop use cases, requirements and deployment scenarios for 5G technologies. The MoU was signed by Zain Saudi Arabia CEO Mr. Peter Kaliaropoulos and Ashish Chowdhary, Nokia’s chief customer operations officer, at the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona.

Ooredoo is the fastest-growing of any of the major telecoms brands in the region, rising in value 48 percent from 2016-2017 and featuring in the top 50 telecoms brands in the world, according to a new report by leading valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance.

Etisalat Group and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. have signed a strategic agreement to work together to advance the development of next generation network technologies. The collaboration will focus on accelerating 5G standardization to bring forward the possibility of commercially available 5G networks as early as 2019.