Mavenir, the telecom industry's only end-to-end cloud-native network software provider for Communication Service Providers, has done a lot of work in the MENA region with regards to transforming and redefining network economics. The company offers everything from 5G application to packet core and RAN and has been leading the way in cloud-native networking solutions and enabling innovation throughout the region, namely amongst the region’s most renowned telecom operators.

Read more: Mark Charman on how Mavenir enables innovation through cloud-native networking solutions

It is an interesting time for open source solution providers. The technology is gaining more and more momentum as the world gets a better understanding of how it actually functions and how secure it is. In an interview with Telecom Review, Adrian Pickering, regional GM, MENA, Red Hat, highlighted Red Hat’s large experience in terms of open source solutions and gave us insight into how such solutions can help achieve digital transformation.

Read more: In one way or another, Red Hat is all about open source

By Orlaith Finn

NXN, a major thought leader in smart cities and digital services, reveals that it has joined forces with Microsoft Asia. NXN’s digital platform, DNX, and all of its services will be ported on to Azure for Microsoft customers to enjoy. As an integral part of enabling technologies and driving the digital transformation in multiple industries, NXN has recently formed other partnerships in order to deliver the best solution to the market, namely in the health sector. Telecom Review managed to secure an exclusive interview with Ghazi Atallah, CEO, where he shared his excitement at the opportunity to scale NXN on a regional and international level. 

Read more: NXN’s CEO on new particular partnership

Etisalat Group today is present in 16 countries with 148 million customers spread across Middle East, Africa and Asia. In all the markets, Etisalat has set a benchmark by leading the way in the network, technology and services. This was mainly due to its efforts in aligning with its vision of ‘Driving the Digital Future to Empower Societies’. At a group level, the company also adopted the ‘CODERS’ strategy to focus on its priorities, direction and ambition. Telecom Review sat down with Hatem Bamatraf, chief technology officer, Etisalat Group, to explain the strategy and how new technologies are aligned with this vision.

Read more: Etisalat Group leads the way in driving digital transformation across the group

Providing telecommunications services can be challenging in countries going through civil unrest. In Iraq, Korek Telecom was able to overcome the challenge and rebuild its network to offer the best service to its subscribers. In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Ahmed Diwan, chief commercial and marketing officer, Korek Telecom, explained how the operator was able to keep abreast of digitalization in spite of the challenges.  

Read more: “Digitalization is a necessity for our survival,” says Ahmed Diwan, Korek Telecom

By Tala Issa

It has been two years since Virgin Mobile brought the first fully digital mobile service to the country. Virgin Mobile offers a simple and transparent technology through its innovative app-based service. It prides itself on delivering an unmatched consumer experience and continues to find ways to improve its service. Telecom Review had the opportunity to sit down with Karim Benkirane, managing director, Virgin Mobile UAE, to discuss how Virgin Mobile keeps up with customer demands.

Read more: From physical to phygital

In order to know more about PCCW Global’s  latest projects, namely the trilateral agreement related to the Pakistan & East Africa Connecting Europe (PEACE) cable system’s development, Telecom Review spoke to Sameh Sobhy, vice president, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, PCCW Global, who explained in depth the progress achieved thus far in the project. We were also eager to know how PCCW Global can intervene when natural disasters hit a certain country, just like it did in Mozambique not so long ago. Sobhy wrapped up the discussion by highlighting his aspirations for the remainder of 2019 and what the company aims to achieve next.

Read more: PCCW Global makes a difference in natural disaster situations

The Telecommunications Standardization Bureau (TSB) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) works on developing international telecom standards. It currently includes 11 study groups which are dedicated to developing standards which range from fiber optics, all the way to the application layer. Some of their study groups are technical in nature, while others are more regulatory in nature such as managing telephone numbers internationally, managing the secure use of IoT-powered devices on 5G networks, managing economic and policy issues, tariffs, international roaming and internet connectivity charges.

Read more: ITU’s Bilel Jamoussi discusses region-specific challenges faced by MENA region’s telcos

Infovista, leader in modern network performance, announced the launch of its service assurance solution at MEF19. VistaInsight is dedicated to increasing business agility and interoperability in hybrid networks, while leading organizations through digital transformation. In an exclusive interview, Andy Asava, EVP Global Networks spoke with Telecom Review about the importance of knowing your business model, creating a solution that adds value to the customer and creating monetization.

Read more: Infovista executive highlights importance of monetizing network coverage

5G and cybersecurity were on top of the agenda of the CTOs who met at the annual CTOs/ITU meeting in the framework of ITU Telecom World which was held in Budapest. Telecom Review had the privilege of participating in the meeting where we spoke with Uwe Baeder, director, international relations ITU/UN, Rohde & Schwarz, to know more about the role that Rohde & Schwarz is playing in terms of 5G security and standardization.

Read more: Rohde & Schwarz accelerating R&D and innovation in mobile communications

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