| Feature articles |
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Article no.: |
1 |
| Topic: |
Adopting mobile and wireless technology in Africa |
| Author: |
Hon. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh |
| Title: |
Minister of Posts and Telecomm |
| Organisation: |
Liberia |
| PDF size: |
248KB |
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| About author: |
Hon. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, Minister of Posts and Telecomm, Liberia, and his team at the ministry of Posts and Telecommunications are working to rebuild Liberia’s postal sector destroyed during the civil war. Prior to his current appointment, Minister Sulunteh served as the Administrator at Cuttington University College (CUC), having first been its Associate Vice President for Planning and Development. During his professional career, the Hon. Sulunteh also served as Financial Aid Advisor at York University, Canada, an Accounts Representative at the Royal Bank of Canada, as Project Coordinator for the Friends of Liberia, as an Administrative Assistant to the VP for Administration at CUC, a Field Financial Analyst at Bong Co, and participated in Agricultural Development Projects.
Hon. Sulunteh still teaches at institutions of higher learning such as the University of Liberia. In the past at CUC, Minister Sulunteh taught Labor Economics and graduate-level Economic Development and Macroeconomics and taught macro and microeconomics at York University in Canada.
Hon. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh has won several awards for his professional and academic achievements. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Building the ICT services needed to accelerate Africa’s social and economic development is a high priority throughout the continent. Nevertheless this must compete with many equally important priorities including the region’s low levels of literacy, its relative lack of infrastructure for, among others, electricity, roads, financial services and such. By creating an appropriate regulatory structure and providing direct government support, countries can attract foreign investment to the ICT sector, and increase the availability of governmental, educational, health, educational and financial services. |
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Article no.: |
2 |
| Topic: |
Building a Jordanian wire-free community |
| Author: |
by Ahmad Hiasat |
| Title: |
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and CEO |
| Organisation: |
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), JORDAN |
| PDF size: |
162KB |
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| About author: |
Ahmad Hiasat is the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and CEO of the Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). Prior to that, Dr Hiasat worked as the Dean of the King Abdullah II of Electrical Engineering - Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) until he was appointed as the Chairman and CEO of TRC. Previously, Dr Hiasat also worked as a part-time consultant to the Minister and the Ministry of Education of Jordan for the ‘Education Reform for the Knowledge Economy’ (ERfKE) project. Earlier, he worked as a Communications/ Computer Engineer and as Head of the Communications & Data Processing Sections of the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
Dr.Hiasat holds a Ph. D. in Systems Engineering from Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA and a M. Sc. in Communications Engineering and B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Jordan. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Jordan is determined to become a major telecom centre in the Middle East and transform itself into an information-based economy by encouraging the widespread use of broadband Internet access by its people. Jordan’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has been in the forefront of this effort. The TRE has worked to ensure a fair and transparent regulatory culture that fosters competitiveness, ease of market entry, technological neutrality, radio frequency spectrum allocation for socio-economic growth, and implementation of e-commerce, e-learning, e-government, and e-health. |
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Article no.: |
3 |
| Topic: |
Policy and regulation - overcoming economic challenges |
| Author: |
Bahjat El-Darwiche and Jonathan Fiske |
| Title: |
Bahjat El-Darwiche, Principal and Jonathan Fiske, Senior Associate |
| Organisation: |
Booz & Company |
| PDF size: |
456KB |
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| About author: |
Bahjat El-Darwiche is a Principal with Booz & Company and a leadership member of the Communications & Technology Practice in the Middle East. Mr El-Darwiche has 14 years of strategy and business experience in the telecommunications sector acquired through various engagements in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia. Mr. El-Darwiche advises governments, regulatory authorities and telecom operators and has led engagements in the areas of telecom sector liberalization and growth strategy development, policy making and regulatory management, business development and strategic investments, corporate and business planning, and privatization and restructuring.
Bahjat El-Darwiche holds a state engineering diploma from the Ecole Polytechnique in France and a MS degree in Telecommunications from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications in Paris.
Jonathan Fiske is a Senior Associate with Booz & Company and a member of the Communications & Technology Practice in the Middle East. Mr Fiske has more than 12 years of regulatory and policy experience in the telecommunications sector acquired through various engagements in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. He advises telecom operators, governments and regulatory authorities. Mr Fisk has also led engagements in the areas of regulatory management, licensing, telecom sector policy-making and regulatory development.
Jonathan Fiske holds a Doctorate in Competition Law. |
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| Article abstract: |
Regulators play a central role in the development of a healthy telecom sector especially in regions such as the Africa and Middle East
where growth is recent and the maturity of markets varies widely throughout the region. The ICT sector, indeed the economic and social development of the region, depends strongly upon the sustained growth of the telecom sector. This, in turn, depends greatly upon adequate regulatory conditions - transparency, predictability, liberalisation, adequate financial stimulus, infrastructure sharing and governance reform. |
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Article no.: |
4 |
| Topic: |
Mobile communications for socio-economic growth Africa |
| Author: |
Ahmet Ozalp |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
Telenity |
| PDF size: |
186KB |
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| About author: |
Ahmet Ozalp is the CEO of Telenity; he has nearly two decades of experience in telecommunications, wireless and digital media industries, as an executive, technologist and investor. Most recently, Mr Ozalp was a Partner at Atlas Venture, an early stage venture capital firm, where he focused on investments in telecommunications, wireless and digital media. Previously, Mr Ozalp was Vice President of Marketing at Narad Networks, a broadband access and cable infrastructure company acquired by Ciena, a consultant for Bain & Company, a capital market strategist with Goldman Sachs and Director of Engineering at NewNet (acquired by ADC Telecom) where he had started his career as a software engineer. Mr Ozalp has had several article published and holds two patents in wireless communications and advanced intelligent networks.
Ahmet Ozalp holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Bogazici University. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The African telecommunications market has only become important to vendors in recent years, because of Africa’s geography, largely rural populations and high cost of fixed telecommunications infrastructure. Telecom vendors entering the market, often use integrators and local representatives, but continue to sell the same solutions as in their home markets and not solutions developed to meet African needs. A vendor’s home office staff needs extensive, on-the-ground, experience in Africa to develop products and services that truly meet the continent’s varied needs. |
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Article no.: |
5 |
| Topic: |
Converging worlds - fixed and mobile meet the global economy |
| Author: |
Alexis Berthillier |
| Title: |
Head of Strategy and Planning |
| Organisation: |
Ericsson IP and Broadband |
| PDF size: |
176KB |
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| About author: |
Alexis Berthillier is Senior Director Strategy and Planning at Ericsson IP and Broadband; he is responsible for the overall strategy as well as long-term business planning and standardization strategy for this product area. Mr Berthillier has over 15 years of experience in Telecommunications and Data Networking. Prior to Ericsson, Mr Berthillier worked at Juniper Networks as Director of Strategy and Planning. He previously held positions at Alcatel, Xylan, Unisys and AT&T.
Alexis Berthillier has an engineering degree from the Institut National des Telecommunications in France. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Connecting all of Africa to the world will make a major difference to its competitiveness and economic and social growth. Affordable, energy efficient, wired and wireless broadband connectivity for Internet access is the highest priority. Traditional business models, especially in rural areas, will not work given the questionable return on investment but converged networks using a mixture of wired and wireless access, together with the new submarine cables, can give Africa the connectivity it needs to compete in world markets. |
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Article no.: |
6 |
| Topic: |
Mobile banking - bridging the divide? |
| Author: |
Rene Meza |
| Title: |
Managing Director |
| Organisation: |
Zain Kenya Limited |
| PDF size: |
250KB |
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| About author: |
Rene Meza is the Managing Director of Zain Kenya Limited; he has more than ten years of experience in the telecom industry on three continents - Africa, Asia and South America. A Paraguayan, Mr Meza was the CEO of Millicom Tanzania (Tigo) prior to joining Zain. Before that, as its Chief Operating Officer, Mr Meza was responsible for the overall performance of Millicom Pakistan. Previously, Mr Meza held various managerial positions in Millicom Paraguay including Customer Service, Revenue Assurance, Marketing, Sales & Distribution.
Rene Meza holds a degree in Marketing & Business Administration from the American University of Paraguay. |
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| Article abstract: |
| In Africa, mobile telephony is transforming once remote villages into thriving markets. Mobile phones not only give people access to voice and data communications, but banking services as well. The mobile phone’s popular acceptance made it easy to introduce the mobile banking services that are transforming local economies throughout the continent by taking the place of a bank for a vast numbers of ‘unbanked’ Africans. In rural area, individuals and business people alike have embraced mobile banking in their day-to-day activities. |
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Article no.: |
7 |
| Topic: |
Regulation is not an island |
| Author: |
Hannes Van Rensburg |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
Fundamo |
| PDF size: |
153KB |
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| About author: |
Hannes Van Rensburg is the CEO and a founding member of Fundamo. Prior to the formation of Fundamo, Mr Van Rensburg was the CIO of the Sanlam Group, a past board member of a number of IT-related companies and an IT consultant to many major South African corporations. Mr Van Rensburg is an active member of the South African Council of Natural Sciences, the Computer Society of South Africa and The South African Institute of Computer Scientists. He is also one of the founders of the Cape IT Initiative (CITI).
Hannes Van Rensburg has BSc degrees in Physics & Chemistry as well as in Information Systems, and an MSc in Reactor Physics. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Mobile phones are promoting an economic and social revolution in the developing regions of the world. The widespread usage of mobile phones makes them an economically viable way to provide the world’s ‘unbanked’ population with secure access to financial services. Mobile operators and financial institutions alike want to participate in this service, but the lack of a global regulatory consensus and the lack of stable, working relationships between the financial sector and mobile operators hampers the growth of mobile payments. |
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Article no.: |
8 |
| Topic: |
Africa’s wireless money revolution |
| Author: |
Lucas Skoczkowski |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
Redknee |
| PDF size: |
157KB |
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| About author: |
Lucas Skoczkowski is the CEO of Redknee, a communications software company specialised in services delivery for wireless network operators. Mr Skoczkowski received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Top 40 Under 40 Award for Canada. Prior to Redknee, Mr Skoczkowski worked at Nortel Networks and Clearnet in various aspects of Product Management. Mr Skoczkowski serves on Redknee’s Board of Directors.
Lucas Skoczkowski has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Mobile service is changing the lives of millions on the African continent where communications and other services common in more affluent and urban regions barely reach. Among the most important of the new services is mobile money. This lets the continent’s vast unbanked population avail themselves of vital but otherwise inaccessible services such as affordable monetary remittances, interest bearing savings. Such services have a measurable impact upon economic growth and should grow rapidly once regulatory and competitive issues are sorted out. |
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Article no.: |
9 |
| Topic: |
Africa - an unwired legacy |
| Author: |
Mark Wilson |
| Title: |
Senior Vice President, MEA and India |
| Organisation: |
Fujitsu |
| PDF size: |
179KB |
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| About author: |
Mark Wilson is the Senior Vice President MEA and India at Fujitsu. Prior to his current position Mr Wilson served first as Financial Director of Fujitsu Siemens Computers and then as its Managing Director. Mr Wilson began his career as a costing clerk and rapidly progressed through the ranks to become the regional accountant for a large international shipping concern, but he moved to Siemens Nixdorf to gain International experience and exposure.
Mark Wilson studied Management Accounting at The University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The relatively low cost of wireless communications have made them a viable business proposition for Africa’s telecom operators in regions where fixed infrastructure is prohibitively costly. Wireless telecommunications are changing Africa; they are changing local economies, regional economies, helping raise the standard of living. Wireless is at the heart of a social revolution based upon better earnings and better access to education, healthcare, government services and, importantly, mobile banking services for the common citizen- in even the most remote regions. |
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Article no.: |
10 |
| Topic: |
Mobile security in the Middle East |
| Author: |
Jay Seaton |
| Title: |
Chief Marketing Officer |
| Organisation: |
Airwide Solutions |
| PDF size: |
154KB |
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| About author: |
Jay Seaton is the CMO at Airwide Solutions; his experience covers all aspects of global corporate and product marketing, channel and business development for software, services, networking, telecom and application development segments. Prior to Airwide Solutions,
Mr Seaton served as CMO for GlassHouse Technologies, a leader in storage services. Mr Seaton served previously as Vice President of Global Marketing for NaviSite, and was part of the team that grew NaviSite from startup. Mr Seaton’s experience also includes senior marketing and sales roles with Sockeye Networks, Banyan Systems, DAVID Systems and AT&T. Mr Seaton is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Internet Professionals.
Jay Seaton is a graduate of St Anslem’s University. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The growing use of smartphones and advanced mobile applications has brought a wealth of benefits to users throughout the world including the Middle East. However, as mobile operators push to capitalise on these benefits they open the doors to a variety of mobile security risks posed by mobile spam, viruses and a wide variety of frauds, that threaten the continued growth of the mobile application and services market, but also significantly, and negatively, affect operator costs and the subscriber experience. |
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Article no.: |
11 |
| Topic: |
Operators - the heart of total communication |
| Author: |
Jihad Srage |
| Title: |
Vice President, Business Development, Middle East and North Africa |
| Organisation: |
Qualcomm |
| PDF size: |
248KB |
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| About author: |
Jihad Srage is Qualcomm’s Vice President for Business Development in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia leading the company’s business operations in the region. Prior to joining Qualcomm, Mr Srage worked at Texas Instruments (TI), most recently overseeing marketing operations for TI’s wireless terminals business unit. Mr Srage also co-managed TI Ventures, the company’s venture finance fund, where he directed TI’s investments in start-up companies focused on the wireless and telecommunications industries. In previous roles, he was involved in marketing and business development for TI’s digital audio business unit.
Jihad Srage earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago, a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the American University of Beirut. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Mobile social networking has expanded mobile Internet access and moved mobile communications models beyond talk and text. The growth of mobile broadband is ‘mobilizing’ the Internet and moving towards an age of unified, total, communications. Social networking, user generated content, mobile advertising - it can pay for content, location-based services, mCommerce, mobile banking and mobile money all contribute to the mobile Internet phenomenon. Personalisation will create opportunities to target content, including advertising, to each user according to their specific needs. |
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Article no.: |
12 |
| Topic: |
Focus on your strengths |
| Author: |
Amit Daniel |
| Title: |
Vice President of Marketing |
| Organisation: |
Starhome |
| PDF size: |
158KB |
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| About author: |
Amit Daniel is the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Starhome; she has 15 years of experience in the telecommunications sector. Prior to assuming her current position, she served as Starhome's Director of Product Management. Ms Daniel previously worked at Golden Lines where she served as Director of International Carrier Relations for America, Asia and Western Europe.
Amit Daniel holds a B.A. in Marketing and an MBA in International Marketing |
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| Article abstract: |
| Africa’s mobile operators often make roaming alliances with other operators and have a vested interest in retaining outbound roamers’ traffic within the alliances. This makes Steering of Roaming (SoR) solutions especially important in Africa’s mobile marketplace. Inbound roamers must be detected, maintained and controlled to preserve the roaming revenues. Operators can achieve this while reducing costs by using Gateway Location Register solutions, which reduce the number of signalling messages in the system, lower expenses and control inbound roaming activities within the network. |
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