| Feature articles |
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Article no.: |
1 |
| Topic: |
FOREWORD |
| Author: |
Dr Hamadoun Touré |
| Title: |
Secretary-General |
| Organisation: |
International Telecommunication Union |
| PDF size: |
176KB |
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| About author: |
Dr Hamadoun Touré is the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union. As Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau from 1999 until 2006, he played a significant role in the World Summit on the Information Society, held in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005, by launching numerous projects based on partnership building with International Organisations, Governments, Civil Society and the Private Sector. Earlier, Dr Touré served as Africa’s Regional General Manager for ICO Global Communications, as INTELSAT’s Director for the Africa Region and as its Group Director for Africa and the Middle East.
Dr Touré is committed to making ITU an innovative, forward-looking organisation adapted to meeting the challenges created by the new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) environment. He is proficient in three official languages of the Union: English, French and Russian.
Dr Hamadoun Touré holds a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Technical Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications of Leningrad and PhD from the University of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics of Moscow. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Not available |
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Article no.: |
2 |
| Topic: |
ICT convergence enhancing regional integration in Africa |
| Author: |
H.E. Mr Abdoulie Janneh |
| Title: |
Executive Secretary |
| Organisation: |
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) |
| PDF size: |
224KB |
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| About author: |
Mr Abdoulie Janneh (Gambia) is the seventh Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the regional arm of the United Nations in Africa, at the rank of Under-Secretary-General. Prior to ECA, Mr Janneh served as Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa. In that capacity, he managed United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) largest Regional Bureau, covering 45 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to that, he held a number of senior positions in UNDP and its affiliated funds. Mr Janneh has been a strong advocate for development efforts including promotion of good governance, economic reform, the fight against HIV/AIDS, fair trade, crisis prevention and poverty eradication. Mr Janneh remains particularly interested in the institutional transformation of the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr Janneh holds an MA in Urban and Regional Planning Studies from the University of Nottingham in England. He also graduated from Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone (Engineering Science) and undertook postgraduate studies in Project Planning and Appraisal at the University of Bradford in England. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The convergence of communications services - voice, data, video and broadcast - via the same digital network holds great promise for the socio-economic development of the African continent. There are many challenges to overcome, though, if Africa is to meet the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) goal of “bridging the digital divide by 2015”. Africa’s nations, United Nations agencies and regional telecommunications and developmental organisations are working towards regional integration and the adoption of regulatory frameworks throughout the continent that foster ICT growth and convergence. |
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Article no.: |
3 |
| Topic: |
Action for digital solidarity |
| Author: |
Alain Madelin |
| Title: |
President |
| Organisation: |
UN Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) |
| PDF size: |
324KB |
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| About author: |
Alain Madelin is the President of the UN Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF). Mr Madelin has had a long and distinguished political career in France, holding many senior ministerial roles including Minister of Industry, of Posts and Telecommunications and of Tourism, Minister of Business and Economic Development, in charge of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Business and Craft Industries and Minister of Economy and Finance. Mr Madelin has also been a Member the French Parliament and a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Alain Madelin studied law; he is a member of the Paris Bar; he began his career working as a lawyer. |
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| Article abstract: |
| The United Nation’s Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) is an effort to reduce the digital divide by providing developing countries with access to information and communications technologies and the advanced services, such as education and healthcare they can provide. The DSF is financed by a 1 per cent ‘digital solidarity contribution’ levied voluntarily upon purchases of ICT-related equipment. The DSF is giving priority to its 1,000 telemedicine units for Africa programme and its educational programme which distributes interactive whiteboards for classrooms. |
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Article no.: |
4 |
| Topic: |
Powerline communications - connecting rural Africa |
| Author: |
Akossi Akossi |
| Title: |
Secretary-General |
| Organisation: |
African Telecommunications Union (ATU) |
| PDF size: |
212KB |
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| About author: |
Mr. Akossi Akossi is the Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). With his 27 years as a telecommunication and IT professional, and his knowledge of African integration and the public-private partnership issues, Mr Akossi has helped make the ATU a strong and credible institution capable of meeting the needs of Africa’s people and winning the trust of stakeholders and development partners of the telecommunication and IT sectors. Mr Akossi served previously as the Technical adviser to the Minister (1980-1983), Permanent Secretary (1986-1990) of the Ministry of P&T, Director General of Côte d’Ivoire Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ATCI) (1995-1997), and successfully steered the liberalisation process of the telecommunications sector in Côte d’Ivoire.
Mr Akossi, a national of Côte d’Ivoire, holds an engineer’s degree, in Systems and Communications, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Paris, and an engineer’s degree, in Computer Science and Management from Ecole Centrale de Lille. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Africa has little existing telecommunications infrastructure in the rural regions where the greatest part of its population is found. Given the limited prospect for a return on the heavy investment needed to bring telecommunications to rural areas, new low-cost, easy to roll-out, technologies are needed to connect these regions. Powerline communications, which use the existing electrical power distribution networks to provide broadband telecommunications, are a cost-effective way to provide both broadband Internet access and voice communications in many rural areas. |
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Article no.: |
5 |
| Topic: |
Broadband and the development of Rwanda |
| Author: |
Romain Murenzi |
| Title: |
Minister in the Office of the President of Rwanda |
| Organisation: |
in Charge of Science and Technology |
| PDF size: |
288KB |
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| About author: |
Romain Murenzi is the Minister in Charge of Science and Technology in the Office of the President of Rwanda having served previously as Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Scientific Research. His responsibilities include ICT. Before joining Rwanda’s government he served as the Chair and Professor of the Department of Physics at Clark Atlanta University, USA. His major research interests include multidimensional continuous wavelet analysis and its applications. Mr Murenzi is committed to the expansion and modernisation of the Rwanda education system and the aspiration for a knowledge-based, technology-led economy by 2020. He serves on the Board of Directors of Development Gateway Foundation and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International as Vice President for Africa, TWAS and Advisory Board, Scientists Without Borders.
Romain Murenzi holds a PhD in Physics from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Rwanda is staking its hopes for economic growth and the country’s future upon an ambitious 20-year project, now entering its second five-year phase, to make the country a regional ICT powerhouse. The plan calls for a nationwide fibre backbone to turn the country into a knowledge-based society. It intends to become a regional communications hub and a centre of excellence in ICT to support the growth of a robust financial sector, outsourced computer services, and regional air traffic control. |
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Article no.: |
6 |
| Topic: |
Convergence and economic growth |
| Author: |
Alan Horne |
| Title: |
President |
| Organisation: |
Arab Network of Telecommunications Regulators and General Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain |
| PDF size: |
212KB |
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| About author: |
Alan Horne is the President of the Arab Network of Telecommunications Regulators and General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain. His work regularly involves advising Ministers and Ministries and chairing industry working groups. In Lebanon, he served as project manager of a European Commission funded project to assist with the establishment of an independent telecommunications sector regulator. Mr Horne has represented major enterprises at ETSI, on the European Telecommunications Platform (ETP) group and the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA). Mr Horne was the founder of InterConnect Communications Ltd, a consulting company specialising in regulations covering television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communication services, later sold to Telcordia Technologies. He also served as Director of European Product Management at Mitel Networks, as the head of Private Systems Software Development for Phillips and at BT.
Mr Horne is a Member of the Institute of Directors (IOD), the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Communications Managers Association (CMA). He has regularly organised, chaired and spoken at major telecommunications conferences run by IIR, IBC, ITU and InterConnect/Eurostrategies. Mr Horne is also the co-author of a number of publications.
Alan Horne earned a First Class Honours degree in Electronic Engineering and a Masters in Telecommunications. |
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| Article abstract: |
| ICT convergence raises a good many issues that regulators need to deal with if ICT are to be used effectively as a tool for economic and social development. The merger of fixed, mobile, data, voice and broadcasting has changed the business models of all those in anyway involved. Convergence offers great opportunities for social and economic development, but raises thorny problems for regulators that must see that the opportunities can be put to good use for the benefit of society. |
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Article no.: |
7 |
| Topic: |
A roadmap for Jordanian teslecommunication |
| Author: |
Ahmad Hiasat |
| Title: |
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners & CEO |
| Organisation: |
the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Jordan |
| PDF size: |
304KB |
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| About author: |
Dr. Ahmad Hiasat is the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and CEO of the Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). Dr. Hiasat served previously as the Dean of the King Abdullah II of Electrical Engineering - Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT). In addition, he worked as consultant to the Minister/Ministry of Education of Jordan for the Education Reform for Knowledge Economy (ERfKE) project. Earlier, he worked as a Communications and Computer Engineer and as the Head of Communications & Data Processing Sections for the Telecommunications Directorate and the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF).
Dr. Hiasat holds a PhD in Systems Engineering from Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA, and a MSc in Communications Engineering and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Jordan. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Jordan has long realised the importance of reaching out beyond its borders, and recognised the vital importance of partnerships between the public and the private sectors to attract investment and enable economic growth, work productivity, job creation, and public prosperity. Jordan has steadily pursued these objectives through liberalising its telecom markets, among other sectors, and striving to become a regional ICT leader. Jordan’s regulatory authority has worked to create a fully competitive telecommunications market with a level field for all players. |
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Article no.: |
8 |
| Topic: |
Changing lives with ICTs |
| Author: |
Joshua Omorere |
| Title: |
President |
| Organisation: |
Nigerian Child Welfare Fund (NCWF) |
| PDF size: |
236KB |
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| About author: |
Joshua Omorere is the President of the Nigerian Child Welfare Fund (NCWF). He began his career with the NCWF while studying at university. The NCWF is a non-governmental organisation committed to assisting orphans, the sick, the afflicted and other challenged persons in Nigeria irrespective of their ethnic and religions background. It helps, for example, poor parents send their children to school and pay their medical bills.
Mr Omorere holds a BSc Microbiology from the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Nigeria, and a Diploma in Programming, Maintenance and Service of HP and Compaq Systems, from the MBM Computer School - affiliated with IBM - in Warri, Nigeria. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are serving an important role in the transformation of the African continent. In addition to the much discussed contributions of ICTs to health, education and government services, they also are advancing the causes of NGOs and civil society projects. ICTs are helping find peaceful solutions to social and political problems by providing a platform - a powerful political voice – for the common citizen. A number of sites dedicated to combating social problems in the region have also arisen. |
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Article no.: |
9 |
| Topic: |
Mobile communications - a turning point for the Middle East and Africa |
| Author: |
Lorcan Burke |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
AdaptiveMobile Security |
| PDF size: |
212KB |
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| About author: |
| Lorcan Burke the CEO and co-founder of Adaptive Mobile Security is a 20 year veteran of telecoms. Prior to AdaptiveMobile, Mr Burke worked with the ETF venture capital group and advised companies such as Nomura Private Equity regarding investments in wireless, security and communications. Mr Burke also served as Ericsson’s CTO for the Vodafone account and as CTO of FirstMark Communications. He started his career with Nortel working in Europe and Asia in support, development, system integration, product management and general management. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Mobile penetration exceeds fixed line penetration in the Middle East and Africa by five to one. Internet access - relatively few in the region have PCs, and SMS messaging have contributed to the popularity of mobile communications. The average age of users is dropping and harassment, bullying, inappropriate content and pornography are increasingly sent to young users’ mobile phones. Operators with in-depth security solutions, not only for businesses, but for concerned families as well, can provide operators with a significant competitive advantage. |
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Article no.: |
10 |
| Topic: |
Mobile broadband - bringing services to AME |
| Author: |
Luca Ferrari |
| Title: |
General Manager |
| Organisation: |
EMEA SmartTrust |
| PDF size: |
232KB |
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| About author: |
Luca Ferrari is SmartTrust’s General Manager for the EMEA region; he has held a number of senior management positions since joining the company. He has an extensive background in the telecommunications market with over 15 years of experience. Prior to SmartTrust, he worked for Ericsson in the UK and with Forem, a space, military and telecommunications applications technology supplier.
Mr Ferrari has an MSc in Electronics Engineering (Cum Laude) from the Polytechnic Institute of Milan. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Broadband enabled mobile phones will soon bring revolutionary services, such as banking and money transfer, to rural and low-income segments of society. In Kenya, people without bank accounts already transfer money to people in other parts of the country by buying airtime and transferring it to a third party who, in turn, redeems it for cash. Operators are hoping that the Football 2010 World Cup transmissions to mobiles will spark interest in broadband handsets and the services they provide. |
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Article no.: |
11 |
| Topic: |
Convergence and operations |
| Author: |
Mickael Ghossein |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
Jordan Telecom Group |
| PDF size: |
260KB |
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| About author: |
Mickael Ghossein is the Jordan Telecom Group CEO, where he led the integration of its fixed, mobile, and Internet businesses, re-branding them as the Orange brand. Prior to this position, Mr Ghossein served as: the Executive Vice President of Jordan Telecom Group; CEO, Mobilecom (now Orange Personal), CEO of Orange Reunion; Commercial Chief Officer of Mobilerom; and Marketing and Communications Chief Officer of Mobilerom (France Telecom’s subsidiary in Romania. Mr Ghossein also worked for France Telecom, EGT and Thomson in France and Iraq.
Mickael Ghossein graduated in Engineering (radio) from the University of Valenciennes Institute Superieur Electronique Nord ISEN (telecommunications), and University of Lyon (Masters in Electrotechnics Automatisation), in Marketing from HEC Paris, IFG Paris in Products Marketing and in Sales from Learning International. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Convergence provides subscribers with better, more - and more advanced - services at a lower price. It helps operators by facilitating new service rollouts, simplifying operations, reducing costs and increasing their competitiveness. Bringing modern, converged, telecommunications services to Jordan entails a series of challenges. Fixed line and wholesale business units, mobile units, administrative support, Internet service providers and content-oriented business units need to be combined under a single umbrella to prepare each individual operation for integration within a single company. |
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Article no.: |
12 |
| Topic: |
Wireless convergence – the enriched experience |
| Author: |
Bashers Dahabra |
| Title: |
Founder & CEO |
| Organisation: |
Info2cell.com |
| PDF size: |
204KB |
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| About author: |
Bashers Dahabra is the Founder and CEO of Info2cell.com. Mr Dahabra was the chief architect and promoter of regional wireless portal service in the Middle East. Mr Dahabra developed the info2cell concept having observed and studied the convergence of the Internet and wireless technologies. Mr. Dahabra has extensive experience in the telecommunications sector in systems engineering and management.
Mr Dahabra has a BSc degree in electrical engineering from Edimbra University. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Convergence is more than a question of technology. Certainly, it brings together a wide variety of Information and Communications Technologies, services, applications and functions in a single device accessing unified IP-driven voice, data and video communications networks. |
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Article no.: |
13 |
| Topic: |
The coming of age of voice and data convergence |
| Author: |
Khalid Laban |
| Title: |
VP |
| Organisation: |
Aruba Networks MENA |
| PDF size: |
240KB |
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| About author: |
Khalid Laban is Vice President of Aruba Network’s sales organisation in the Middle East and North Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, working with companies such as Cisco Systems, Bay Networks, and Fore Systems in the region.
Mr Laban earned a masters degree in Computer Engineering. |
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| Article abstract: |
Khalid Laban is Vice President of Aruba Network’s sales organisation in the Middle East and North Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, working with companies such as Cisco Systems, Bay Networks, and Fore Systems in the region.
Mr Laban earned a masters degree in Computer Engineering. |
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Article no.: |
14 |
| Topic: |
Solar power for mobile phones in emerging markets |
| Author: |
Robert Hertzberg |
| Title: |
Chairman |
| Organisation: |
G24 Innovations |
| PDF size: |
268KB |
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| About author: |
Robert Hertzberg is the Chairman of G24 Innovations. As Chairman of G24i, Mr Hertzberg directs renewable energy policy issues and works on many aspects of company activities. Mr Hertzberg was twice unanimously elected on a bipartisan vote as Speaker of the California State Assembly, and was a candidate for Los Angeles Mayor in the 2005 election. During his speakership, Mr.Hertzberg was instrumental in drafting legislative solutions to the California Energy Crisis. Together with his leadership team, he developed the most comprehensive energy conservation standards in the US as well as leading the fight on new environmental standards for renewable energy and a cleaner environment. Appearing on Nightline, CNN and other national news shows, Mr Hertzberg took thoughtful positions on the many public policy issues facing California and the nation. In the UK, he was recently featured in The Guardian’s list of “50 People who Could Save the Planet’’.
Mr Hertzberg was recently named in the Los Angeles Times as One of the 100 Most Influential People in Southern California. |
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| Article abstract: |
Robert Hertzberg is the Chairman of G24 Innovations. As Chairman of G24i, Mr Hertzberg directs renewable energy policy issues and works on many aspects of company activities. Mr Hertzberg was twice unanimously elected on a bipartisan vote as Speaker of the California State Assembly, and was a candidate for Los Angeles Mayor in the 2005 election. During his speakership, Mr.Hertzberg was instrumental in drafting legislative solutions to the California Energy Crisis. Together with his leadership team, he developed the most comprehensive energy conservation standards in the US as well as leading the fight on new environmental standards for renewable energy and a cleaner environment. Appearing on Nightline, CNN and other national news shows, Mr Hertzberg took thoughtful positions on the many public policy issues facing California and the nation. In the UK, he was recently featured in The Guardian’s list of “50 People who Could Save the Planet’’.
Mr Hertzberg was recently named in the Los Angeles Times as One of the 100 Most Influential People in Southern California. |
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Article no.: |
15 |
| Topic: |
Wireless and the power savvy worker |
| Author: |
Thami Lawrence Mtshali |
| Title: |
CEO |
| Organisation: |
iBurst |
| PDF size: |
304KB |
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| About author: |
Thami Lawrence Mtshali is CEO of Wireless Business Solutions, which now trades as iBurst. Mr Mtshali was the company’s COO before becoming its CEO. He has held senior posts at Sasol and was design engineer at race tyre manufacturer Goodyear and R&D engineer at Texaco New York. He was also a process engineer at Foster Wheeler in the US. Mr Mtshali’s initial experience was in the Petro Chemical Industry before becoming actively involved in the telecommunications industry, including as the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Forum.
Mr Mtshali has a BSc in chemical engineering (cum laude) from Tuskegee University in the US and a MSc from Akron University in the US. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Universalisation of telecommunications services is often stymied in remote rural regions by the lack of electrical energy. In regions off the electrical supply grid, it can be difficult or costly just to charge one’s cell phone battery. In some urban regions served by electrical utilities, such as in South Africa, where the energy supplies are erratic, battery-powered wireless devices, such as laptops and cell phones have come to the rescue of businesses that must continue in operation despite power outages. |
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Article no.: |
16 |
| Topic: |
Middle Eastern software development |
| Author: |
Nael Salah |
| Title: |
Managing Director and Founder |
| Organisation: |
ESKADENIA Software |
| PDF size: |
256KB |
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| About author: |
Nael Salah is the Managing Director and Founder of Eskadenia Software. He has extensive experience in the telecommunications and information technology fields, working for the national telecommunication service provider in the United Arab Emirates, Ericsson of Sweden, and Eskadenia Software. At Ericsson he worked with system design, product management, marketing and general management and served as Vice President and Executive Vice President at Ericsson China, Director and Corporate Vice President at LM Ericsson and Head of the Ericsson’s Corporate Regional Office in the Middle East.
Mr Salah earned his degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Liverpool, England. |
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| Article abstract: |
| In the Middle East - indeed, in much of the developing world - local technology buyers have long preferred to buy their hardware and software abroad even when lower-cost local options exist. Nowadays, although knowledge-based industries such as software development that rely primarily upon brainpower are flourishing throughout the developing world (especially for outsourcing), old habits die hard. These local enterprises can produce world-class software, but they need the support and encouragement of the region’s telecom sectors and governments to grow. |
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Article no.: |
17 |
| Topic: |
From Kemet to Egypt |
| Author: |
Emad Elazhary |
| Title: |
Managing Director |
| Organisation: |
TE Data |
| PDF size: |
304KB |
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| About author: |
Emad Elazhary is the Managing Director of TE Data, Telecom Egypt’s new Data Operator subsidiary. Mr Elazhary also serves as the Vice Chairman of this newly formed company, which he started up. It now also operates in Jordan, the Gulf, and Palestine. He managed Telecom Egypt’s (Egypt’s incumbent operator) start-up fixed line operation for inter-urban and international services in Algeria. Prior to that, Mr Elazhary consulted for Telecom Egypt and the Egyptian National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) where he participated in defining and setting the regulatory framework and the licensing regime for ISPs and Data Operators in Egypt. Mr Elazhary co-founded InTouch Communications Services, the first ISP in Egypt. Orascom Telecom later acquired InTouch. Previously, Mr Elazhary worked for IBM WTC as a Systems Engineer.
Mr Elazhary earned his degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Electronics, from the American University in Cairo. |
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| Article abstract: |
| Egypt’s geographical location has, since ancient times, given it a strategic importance in the region. Today, in the era of the Internet, Egypt is expanding its national and international communications systems to take advantage of its historical strategic advantage. Its centrally located networks linking Africa and Europe, and its technically and linguistically skilled workforce, facilitate Egypt’s efforts to become a prime outsourcing provider in the region. The government is energetically fostering broadband growth and usage at all levels of the population. |
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