Nokia today announced that Fibertime will deploy its fiber solution to rapidly expand broadband access to underserved regions of South Africa. Fibertime will quickly connect the next 1.5 million customers leveraging Nokia’s Lightspan FX Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) and Wi-Fi 6 enabled Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). Nokia’s technologies are key to enabling Fibertime’s flagship product: R5 a day for uncapped, unthrottled internet.

Currently, less than 85% of South Africans have access to high-speed broadband, leaving many reliant on costly mobile plans that are up to 70 times more expensive per gigabit than fiber. Through Nokia’s fiber solution, Fibertime will unlock a new wave of affordable, reliable, pay-as-you-go broadband, empowering local communities with increased access to education, employment, and business opportunities. The deployment will help create a semi-mobile network within underserved areas, allowing end-users to access high-speed broadband services from anywhere in the community, not just their homes or businesses.

The fiber deployment will initially cover Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, Mangaung and Stellenbosch, with plans to rapidly expand into additional countries and communities. As part of the agreement, Fibertime will deploy 500,000 Nokia Wi-Fi 6 enabled ONTs over the next 36-months, prioritizing homes in underserved areas. Fibertime will also leverage Nokia’s ONT Easystart to automate and simplify the ONT activation process, helping to streamline deployments. Fibertime is also working on an advanced network upgrade powered by Nokia’s Altiplano platform to further drive automation and scale. Nokia and Fibertime are also working on new R&D projects to develop technologies that enhance connectivity and enable operations in Africa’s most remote areas.

Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia, said: “Nokia’s fiber solution is uniquely positioned to help Fibertime reach millions of underserved customers needing high-speed broadband for essential services like online education and telehealth. Our scalable OLT portfolio provides flexible coverage for both densely populated and rural areas. Paired with our Wi-Fi 6-enabled ONTs, we enable fast, automated onboarding. Together, these solutions allow Fibertime to speed up deployments and provide the capacity to bring thousands of customers online at once.”

Alan Knott-Craig, Founder of Fibertime, said: “With Nokia’s support, we’re confident in our ability to reach 1.5 million homes within the next five years. We’re unlocking a massive, untapped market of 13 million homes in South Africa that are ready for affordable, quality internet. That market will need approximately R60billion of investment over the coming decade and will generate reliable returns for investors. The market opportunity is akin to that presented to mobile operators when they expanded into prepaid markets. Together with Nokia, we can bridge the digital divide, accelerate growth, and create lasting social and economic impact across South Africa.”

7  Samsung Electronics announced today the receipt of the MENA Tech Editors’ Choice Award trophy, recognizing its Smart TVs for significant advancements in security innovations within the MENA region. The trophy was presented at the Samsung office in Riyadh, where Ahmad Al-Ramahi, Head of the TV Department, graciously accepted this prestigious award on behalf of the company, acknowledging the exceptional capabilities of the Samsung Knox security platform. The award was unveiled during the prestigious IFA exhibition— the world’s largest consumer electronics show—held in Berlin last September.

As smart homes increasingly integrate connected devices, robust security measures have become a must. MENA Tech editors commended Samsung’s unwavering commitment to user safety, emphasizing that its Smart TVs are pivotal in protecting consumers’ digital lives from evolving cyber threats. This recognition underscores Samsung’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge security features through its renowned Knox platform, ensuring comprehensive protection across all connected devices.

The award presentation was attended by distinguished media representatives, tech influencers, and journalists, highlighting the significance of this accolade within the technology community.

“In an era where smart devices are integral to our daily lives, security emerges as a foremost priority for consumers,” stated Ahmad Al-Ramahi. “Receiving the MENA Tech Editors’ Choice Award reaffirms Samsung’s commitment to pioneering security solutions that empower our users to engage confidently with their connected experiences. Our Knox platform not only secures our Smart TVs but also safeguards user data throughout the entire smart home ecosystem.”

Amjad Bassam, CEO of MENA Tech, remarked, “Our Editors’ Choice program is designed to recognize outstanding innovations in products and solutions within the tech realm. Our editorial team commended Samsung’s enhanced security level in its TVs and their commitment to protecting consumer data, making it their choice in the TV security category.” While Ali Wadi Hasan, Senior Editor, added: “Doing our research into Samsung TV security features and documentation, we noticed the great commitment the company showed toward protecting its consumers’ security and privacy in an increasingly dangerous cyber space. That commitment was the driving force behind our decision.”

Looking ahead, Samsung is poised to further elevate its security innovations to meet the dynamic needs of its customers. With exciting advancements on the horizon, the company remains steadfast in its mission to advance technology while prioritizing user safety and privacy.

For more information about Samsung’s Knox security platform and innovations in Smart TV technology, please visit samsung.com.

The 8th Annual HR Tech Saudi Summit opens at Voco Riyadh on November 4 for two days of discussions and expert insights on the impact of AI and Technology on HR. With the theme, “Explainable AI (XAI): The Evolution of Talent and Technology,” the 8th Annual HR Tech Saudi Summit will expound on how the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence is transforming industries across the Kingdom, reshaping the workforce landscape and how the movement can be leveraged to improve HR management.
Dan Pontefract, 5 Times Award Winning Author and Leadership Strategist will deliver the opening keynote address. He is emphatic that technology and AI offer tools to improve the discipline so that HR leaders can steer from the front. “In HR, leaders have an opportunity to leverage AI to streamline processes and enhance the employee experience. Predictive hiring, personalized learning, and real-time engagement are just a few of the areas being transformed. However, successful integration must be grounded in transparency, empathy, and ethics.” shares Dan
According to the Mercer Global Talent Trends 2023 Report, over 70% of HR leaders anticipate AI will fundamentally change talent acquisition within the next three years (Global Talent Trends 2023 Report by Mercer).
As we look forward to a digitally transformed economy, industry experts emphasize the importance of collaboration and innovation in HR practices. Marisa Kamall, as a top Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity expert, states, “As digital transformation accelerates, leadership is shifting towards a more adaptive, data-driven approach. Integrating AI into HR allows leaders to make informed, personalized decisions that enhance employee experiences and foster a culture of continuous learning.” She further notes that “Recent studies reveal that 67% of HR leaders believe AI enhances employee engagement, and companies using AI in HR report a 30% reduction in administrative time.”
Maan Fatani, Group Vice President HR & Shared Services, MEPCO who is a valuable advisory board member at the summit remarked on the attendance of C-Level leaders at the event who will make the change needed to incorporate technology into HR and business. “The HR Tech Saudi Summit is the only initiative that brings together HR and IT professionals from the wide business landscape of Saudi Arabia, on a singular platform, to discuss the newest trends, ideas and disruptions that influence HR Transformation,” he said.
“AI combined with strategic insight can unlock new business opportunities and enhance HR’s contribution to an organisation’s competitive advantage. As AI continues to reshape the HR landscape, organisations must prioritise governance, continuous learning, and adaptability. By doing so, they can navigate the complexities of AI adoption and harness its potential to drive growth and innovation” he adds.
Most of the speakers agree with Dan Pontefract when he foresees a larger role for AI in recruitment and workforce management, augmented and virtual reality for training and development of tech platforms for employee wellbeing.
Akif Tashkandi, Head of People and Organization, Novartis who will share his long experience in HR leadership underscores the need to be positive and proactive in embracing technology. Akif says, “AI will continue impacting our work models and shape new ways of working to be faster and with higher quality. We as the HR community & function have the responsibility to lead this change to ensure it is done in the right manner smoothly without major disruption of work or create a panic to our workforce. We need to lead the transition with the right change management approach and integration to ensure a win-win outcome for both the company and our employees.”
Tamim Alkhalifah, Chief Human Resources Officer, AWPT who will present his perspective on the impact of technology in HR says that he is looking forward to improving his own knowledge on the practical applications of AI, data-driven HR and enhancing employee experience through technology. Touching on soft skills improvements, Tamim adds” Technology can be utilized to foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace, particularly within the context of Saudi Arabia’s unique cultural landscape. It can contribute to mitigating bias in recruitment, promoting inclusive language and communication, facilitating inclusive training & development and creating inclusive workplace environments.”
Mohammed AlAbduljabbar, Head of Human Capital and Corporate Support Systems and Business Analytics at Bank AlJazira, concurs “Emerging trends like AI-driven analytics, employee experience platforms, and automation in HR processes will significantly impact the Saudi market by enhancing efficiency and personalization.” Furthermore, he emphasizes the role of technology in fostering diversity and inclusion: “Technology can foster diversity and inclusion by enabling unbiased hiring, promoting cultural awareness, and supporting inclusive policies.”
Opening Keynote speaker Dan Pontefract sums up the value of the 2-day summit. “Leadership today extends beyond managing people; it involves understanding the interplay of human behaviour and technology in the workplace. In the evolving digital age, HR in Saudi Arabia should evolve from a department to the heartbeat of any organization. For Saudi Arabia’s HR leaders, this evolution emphasizes that while technology can elevate work, it must also respect, uplift, and support everyone across generations.”
Sidh N.C, Director, QnA International, concludes, “Saudi Arabia is leading the race towards digital competitiveness amongst many nations. In line with Vision 2030, the Kingdom has put digital technology at the heart of transformation. Saudi youth dominate the Kingdom’s population, acting as the key enablers of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The 8th Annual HR Tech Saudi Summit 2024 is all about accelerating digital transformation while putting people at the heart of the business.”