Zain KSA extended its alliance with Netcracker Technology by adding cloud-based Managed Services to its deployment of Netcracker Digital BSS, Digital OSS and Customer Engagement.
Why did Zain KSA expand its alliance with Netcracker?
Capitalizing on the great opportunities for collaboration, this complete digital transformation project is one of the largest in the Middle East and is a milestone for Zain KSA to expand its ecosystem, to further deliver a superior customer experience and offer new 5G products.
Zain KSA will leverage Netcracker’s managed services to support its existing deployment of Netcracker and third-party solutions and deliver a best-in-class digital experience to clients.
Zain KSA is investing in cutting-edge innovation to unlock high-value opportunities for customers by building on its digital offerings and further reducing time to market, thereby cementing its pioneering position in driving nationwide digital transformation to support Saudi Vision 2030 and contribute to transforming Saudi Arabia into a leading digital economy.
What does this mean for Zain KSA and Netcracker?
“It has been such a great honor for Netcracker to partner with such a forward-looking, rapidly growing and market-leading company like Zain KSA. By leveraging our expertise in managed services, Zain KSA has placed a great deal of trust in us that is a validation of what we can achieve together,” commented Benedetto Spaziani, General Manager at Netcracker.
Commenting on the partnership, Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Chief Technology Officer at Zain KSA, said, “We have been happy working with Netcracker and strengthening our collaboration by adding managed and support services on top of the existing solutions.”
“By leveraging Netcracker’s expertise in cloud-based managed services, we will be able to provide our customers with a more seamless and personalized experience of IoT and cloud computing services such as virtualized network functions, software-defined networking and network slicing, among others, while also streamlining our internal operations and improving our network agility and scalability to accelerate our time to market,” AlMufadda added.
What is the wider industry context of this partnership?
The telecom industry in the Middle East is in a state of flux. On the one hand, the region has some of the highest mobile penetration rates in the world, with over 90% of people in some countries having a mobile phone. This has led to a decline in voice revenues, as people are increasingly using messaging and data services instead.
On the other hand, the Middle East is also a hotbed of innovation in the telecom sector. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing heavily in 5G networks, and there is a growing demand for new services such as cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT).
As a result of these trends, the telecom industry in the Middle East is facing a number of challenges. Operators need to find ways to adapt to the changing market conditions, while also investing in new technologies and services.
One of the biggest challenges facing the telecom industry in the Middle East is the decline in voice revenues. This is due to a number of factors, including the increasing use of messaging and data services, as well as the rise of over-the-top (OTT) players such as WhatsApp and Skype.
To offset the decline in voice revenues, operators are increasingly focusing on data services. This includes offering high-speed mobile broadband, as well as fixed-line broadband services. Operators are also investing in new technologies such as 5G, which will enable them to offer even faster and more reliable data services.
Another challenge facing the telecom industry in the Middle East is the growing competition from OTT players. OTT players offer a range of services that are typically provided by telecom operators, such as voice calls, messaging, and video streaming. These services are often free or very low-cost, which has put pressure on telecom operators’ revenues.
To compete with OTT players, telecom operators are increasingly offering bundles of services that include both voice and data. They are also investing in new technologies such as 5G, which will enable them to offer even faster and more reliable data services.
Despite the challenges, the telecom industry in the Middle East is still a dynamic and growing sector. The region has some of the highest mobile penetration rates in the world, and there is a growing demand for new services such as cloud computing and IoT. As a result, the telecom industry in the Middle East is well-positioned for continued growth in the years to come.
Here are some of the specific trends that are shaping the telecom industry in the Middle East:
- The rise of 5G: 5G is the next generation of mobile network technology, and it is expected to revolutionize the way we communicate and interact with the world around us. The Middle East is one of the leading regions in the world for 5G deployment, and it is expected to be a major driver of growth in the telecom industry in the years to come.
- The growth of cloud computing: Cloud computing is a major trend in the global technology industry, and it is also having a significant impact on the telecom industry in the Middle East. Cloud computing allows businesses to access computing resources on demand, which can help them to save money and improve efficiency. As a result, the demand for cloud computing services is growing rapidly in the Middle East.
- The rise of IoT: The Internet of Things (IoT) is another major trend that is shaping the telecom industry in the Middle East. IoT refers to the network of physical devices that are connected to the internet and can collect and exchange data. The growth of IoT is creating new opportunities for telecom operators to provide services such as remote monitoring and control, as well as predictive maintenance.
The telecom industry in the Middle East is facing a number of challenges, but it is also a dynamic and growing sector. The region has some of the highest mobile penetration rates in the world, and there is a growing demand for new services such as cloud computing and IoT. As a result, the telecom industry in the Middle East is well-positioned for continued growth in the years to come.
Gerald Ainomugisha is a business news reporter and freelance B2B marketer with over 10 years of experience in writing high-converting copy and content for businesses of all kinds, especially SaaS providers in the niches of HR, IT, fintech, eCommerce and web3.
