Event Agenda
07:30
Registration, badge collection, and networking coffee break
07:30
08:40
MC welcome remarks / overview of the day
08:45
WELCOME NOTE
Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review, and CEO of Trace Media International
08:45
09:00
OFFICIAL OPENING KEYNOTE
IoT and Digital Transformation,
H.E. Majed Al Mesmar, TDRA, Director General
09:15
OPENING FIRESIDE CHAT
Masood Sharif Mahmood, CEO, Etisalat by e&
09:15
09:25
PANEL: THE ICT LEADERS
PANEL OUTLINE:
• Government’s expectations from ICT leaders to enhance digital services in all sectors
• Role of leaders in transforming the ease of network access
• How are you keeping up with expanding technology demand?
• How to expand and retain a qualified workforce in today’s world?
PANELISTS:
• Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department, ITU
• Miko Lavanti, SVP MEA, Nokia Mobile Network
• Masood Sharif Mahmood, CEO, Etisalat by e& (TBC)
• Yasser Shaker, CEO, Orange Egypt
• Maziad Bin Nasser Al Harbi, CEO, stc Kuwait
• Ahmed Al-Anqari, CEO, salam
• Andrew Feinberg, President & CEO, Boston Gene, and Founder, CEO & Chairman, Netcracker
MODERATOR: Fuad Siddiqui, Global Partner, EY
• Government’s expectations from ICT leaders to enhance digital services in all sectors
• Role of leaders in transforming the ease of network access
• How are you keeping up with expanding technology demand?
• How to expand and retain a qualified workforce in today’s world?
PANELISTS:
• Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department, ITU
• Miko Lavanti, SVP MEA, Nokia Mobile Network
• Masood Sharif Mahmood, CEO, Etisalat by e& (TBC)
• Yasser Shaker, CEO, Orange Egypt
• Maziad Bin Nasser Al Harbi, CEO, stc Kuwait
• Ahmed Al-Anqari, CEO, salam
• Andrew Feinberg, President & CEO, Boston Gene, and Founder, CEO & Chairman, Netcracker
MODERATOR: Fuad Siddiqui, Global Partner, EY
10:45
Networking coffee break
10:45
11:15
KEYNOTE
Saleem Al Blooshi, Chief Technology Officer, du
11:30
KEYNOTE
Andrew Feinberg, President & CEO, Boston Gene, and Founder, CEO & Chairman, Netcracker
11:30
11:45
KEYNOTE
Leslie Shannon, Head of Ecosystem and Trend Scouting, Nokia
12:00
KEYNOTE: Future G: The Dawn of Pervasive Intelligence
Fuad Siddiqui, Global Partner, EY
12:00
12:15
KEYNOTE
Bernard Najm, VP Telco MEA, AWS
12:20
PANEL: CLOUD AND DATACENTERS - POWERED BY AWS
PANEL OUTLINE:
•The issue of data sovereignty
•Multiple Data Center Connectivity
•Data security: Localization vs. Cloud
•Data centers on the EDGE
•MEC Multi Edge Computing
•Public, private, hybrid – choosing the best cloud option
PANELISTS:
• Bernard Najm, VP Telco MEA, AWS
• Andrew Hanna, CEO, Zain Tech
• Bob Titus, CTO, Netcracker
• Baha Allawati, Vice President Enterprise, Omantel
• Miguel Angel Villalonga, Chief Executive Officer, ETS, e& enterprise
MODERATOR: Ziad El Khalid, MENA Cloud Lead, EY
•The issue of data sovereignty
•Multiple Data Center Connectivity
•Data security: Localization vs. Cloud
•Data centers on the EDGE
•MEC Multi Edge Computing
•Public, private, hybrid – choosing the best cloud option
PANELISTS:
• Bernard Najm, VP Telco MEA, AWS
• Andrew Hanna, CEO, Zain Tech
• Bob Titus, CTO, Netcracker
• Baha Allawati, Vice President Enterprise, Omantel
• Miguel Angel Villalonga, Chief Executive Officer, ETS, e& enterprise
MODERATOR: Ziad El Khalid, MENA Cloud Lead, EY
12:20
13:50
Networking lunch
14:45
KEYNOTE
Kedar Gupte, Chief Mobility Business Officer, MTN GlobalConnect
14:45
15:00
PANEL: SUSTAINABILITY IN ICT & GREENTECH PANEL
PANEL OUTLINE:
• What defines sustainability in telecoms and ICT? Why has this topic been raised now?
• What is the difference between sustainability and a “green environment?”
• Importance of incorporating sustainability in telcos’ strategies
• 5G and sustainability
• How does green tech lead to sustainability?
• Green tech’s efficiency for improved network performance
PANELISTS:
• Emaad Ahmed, Principal Solution Consultant & Network Architecture Transformation Chief
Expert, Huawei
• Nawaf Algharabally, CTO, Zain Group
• Grace Najjar, Managing Director, Project Management Institute and Global PMI Head of Energy
• Yasir Ahmed, MENA Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader, EY
• Stelios Savvides, CTIO, Vodafone Oman
• Dr. Linda Kassem, Senior Policy and Legal Advisor - Lead Trade Negotiator
MODERATOR: Samar Ibrahim, Associate Director, EY
• What defines sustainability in telecoms and ICT? Why has this topic been raised now?
• What is the difference between sustainability and a “green environment?”
• Importance of incorporating sustainability in telcos’ strategies
• 5G and sustainability
• How does green tech lead to sustainability?
• Green tech’s efficiency for improved network performance
PANELISTS:
• Emaad Ahmed, Principal Solution Consultant & Network Architecture Transformation Chief
Expert, Huawei
• Nawaf Algharabally, CTO, Zain Group
• Grace Najjar, Managing Director, Project Management Institute and Global PMI Head of Energy
• Yasir Ahmed, MENA Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader, EY
• Stelios Savvides, CTIO, Vodafone Oman
• Dr. Linda Kassem, Senior Policy and Legal Advisor - Lead Trade Negotiator
MODERATOR: Samar Ibrahim, Associate Director, EY
16:30
PANEL: WHOLESALE INDUSTRY - SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE
PANEL OUTLINE:
• Subsea cable systems: Forecast for 2025
• New opportunities for the wholesale and capacity industry in the digital era
• Boosting network performance: role of the wholesale and capacity industry
• What are the roles of the Optical Equipment Industry?
• Meeting the industry’s capacity requirements
PANELISTS:
• Cengiz Oztelcan, CEO, GBI (VIRTUAL)
• Amaru Chavez, CTIO, MTN GlobalConnect
• Sameh Sobhy, Managing Director Middle East, Turkey & Africa, PCCW Global
• Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer, e&
• Eric Handa, CEO, APTelecom
• Alex Lee, Managing Director, China Mobile International Middle East
MODERATOR: Georges Jaber, VP Wholesales and BD, salam
• Subsea cable systems: Forecast for 2025
• New opportunities for the wholesale and capacity industry in the digital era
• Boosting network performance: role of the wholesale and capacity industry
• What are the roles of the Optical Equipment Industry?
• Meeting the industry’s capacity requirements
PANELISTS:
• Cengiz Oztelcan, CEO, GBI (VIRTUAL)
• Amaru Chavez, CTIO, MTN GlobalConnect
• Sameh Sobhy, Managing Director Middle East, Turkey & Africa, PCCW Global
• Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer, e&
• Eric Handa, CEO, APTelecom
• Alex Lee, Managing Director, China Mobile International Middle East
MODERATOR: Georges Jaber, VP Wholesales and BD, salam
16:30
17:30
Networking coffee break
18:00
PANEL: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IS HAPPENING – THE NEW CONNECTIVITY
PANEL OUTLINE:
• How digital transformation is currently converted into reality
• Role of governments in promoting a digital lifestyle
• Rural broadband implementation: Who pays for it and how to do it right?
• Role of NGSO satellites in accelerating digital transformation
• How do satellite operators fit in the digital transformation game?
• When will digital transformation happen completely across the world?
• Outcomes of digital strategies and plans executed and its future visions
PANELISTS:
• Amitoj Arya, Partner, Telecom Consulting, MENA, EY
• Rashid Alahmedi, COO InfraX, Digital DEWA Subsidiary
• Dr. Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department, ITU
• Jihad Tayyara, CEO, Evoteq
• Daniel Kjellander, Client Business Executive, CSG
• [Name], [Position], SES
• Yehia Sefraoui, Director of Digital Transformation
MODERATOR: Zayan Sadek, SP Director, Cisco Systems ME
• How digital transformation is currently converted into reality
• Role of governments in promoting a digital lifestyle
• Rural broadband implementation: Who pays for it and how to do it right?
• Role of NGSO satellites in accelerating digital transformation
• How do satellite operators fit in the digital transformation game?
• When will digital transformation happen completely across the world?
• Outcomes of digital strategies and plans executed and its future visions
PANELISTS:
• Amitoj Arya, Partner, Telecom Consulting, MENA, EY
• Rashid Alahmedi, COO InfraX, Digital DEWA Subsidiary
• Dr. Bilel Jamoussi, Chief of the Study Groups Department, ITU
• Jihad Tayyara, CEO, Evoteq
• Daniel Kjellander, Client Business Executive, CSG
• [Name], [Position], SES
• Yehia Sefraoui, Director of Digital Transformation
MODERATOR: Zayan Sadek, SP Director, Cisco Systems ME
18:00
19:00
CLOSING NOTES OF DAY 1
Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review Group, & CEO of Trace Media
Int’l; and Jeff Seal, Managing Partner - Telecom Review North America
Int’l; and Jeff Seal, Managing Partner - Telecom Review North America
19:05
Networking Reception and Entertainment Program
19:05
07:30
Registration, badge collection, and networking coffee break
07:30
08:50
MC welcome remarks / overview of the day
08:55
WELCOME NOTE DAY 2
Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review, and CEO of Trace Media, and
Jeff Seal, Managing Partner - Telecom Review North America
Jeff Seal, Managing Partner - Telecom Review North America
08:55
09:00
OFFICIAL OPENING DEBATE: Building the Asian dream
• Dr. Atsuko Okuda, Head of ITU Asia-Pacific
• Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review Group
• Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review Group
09:30
KEYNOTE
Karim Benkirane, CCO, du
09:30
09:45
KEYNOTE
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government
(Pre-recorded video)
(Pre-recorded video)
10:00
KEYNOTE
Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA (Pre-recorded video)
10:00
10:10
PANEL: THE “POTION” FOR THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE DEPLOYMENT
PANEL OUTLINE:
• Fiber vs. 5G: individually or complementary?
• Infrastructure sharing: Pros and cons
• The right infrastructure investments for tomorrow
• Importance of tower management in 5G
PANELISTS:
• Fabio Fontana, CEO, ZeroPoint DC and Chief Growth Officer, Tonomus.NEOM
• Saleem AlBlooshi, CTO, du
• Mohamed H Almarzooqi, Sr. Vice President/Access Network, e& international, e&
• Femi Oshiga, VP Sales, Service VP Sales, Service Providers, Commscope MEA & APAC
• Eng. Abdulrahman bin Hamad AlMufadda, CTO, Zain KSA
• Deepak Winston, Director, Digital & Emerging Tech, EY
• Walter Miron, VP Networks, TELUS
• Fahad Abdul Rahman Al Ali, CTO, stc Kuwait
MODERATOR: Mikhail Romanov, EMEIA Transformation leader, EY
• Fiber vs. 5G: individually or complementary?
• Infrastructure sharing: Pros and cons
• The right infrastructure investments for tomorrow
• Importance of tower management in 5G
PANELISTS:
• Fabio Fontana, CEO, ZeroPoint DC and Chief Growth Officer, Tonomus.NEOM
• Saleem AlBlooshi, CTO, du
• Mohamed H Almarzooqi, Sr. Vice President/Access Network, e& international, e&
• Femi Oshiga, VP Sales, Service VP Sales, Service Providers, Commscope MEA & APAC
• Eng. Abdulrahman bin Hamad AlMufadda, CTO, Zain KSA
• Deepak Winston, Director, Digital & Emerging Tech, EY
• Walter Miron, VP Networks, TELUS
• Fahad Abdul Rahman Al Ali, CTO, stc Kuwait
MODERATOR: Mikhail Romanov, EMEIA Transformation leader, EY
11:10
KEYNOTE
Mark Birch, Global Startup Advocate, AWS
11:10
11:30
Networking coffee break
12:00
PANEL: MEASURING 5G PERFORMANCE
PANEL OUTLINE:
• How do you measure 5G subscriber growth
• What service and products do you provide for subscribers
• How do you handle data spikes?
• Using 5G to expand broadband penetration
• Fiber connectivity to 5G towers - Is F5G a trend or necessity?
• Using 5G Tower sites as Edge Data Centers
PANELISTS:
• Jawad Abassi, Head of MENA Region, GSMA
• Mohamed Tantawi, Managing Director, MEA & Turkey Service Provider, Cisco Systems
• Ahmad Farroukh, CEO, Smile Telecoms
• Yaqoub AlZarouni, VP Information Security, Risk Management & IOC, du
• Ken Campbell, CEO, PMP Strategy
MODERATOR: Nick Gorgoglione, Marketing Head, Vodafone Oman
• How do you measure 5G subscriber growth
• What service and products do you provide for subscribers
• How do you handle data spikes?
• Using 5G to expand broadband penetration
• Fiber connectivity to 5G towers - Is F5G a trend or necessity?
• Using 5G Tower sites as Edge Data Centers
PANELISTS:
• Jawad Abassi, Head of MENA Region, GSMA
• Mohamed Tantawi, Managing Director, MEA & Turkey Service Provider, Cisco Systems
• Ahmad Farroukh, CEO, Smile Telecoms
• Yaqoub AlZarouni, VP Information Security, Risk Management & IOC, du
• Ken Campbell, CEO, PMP Strategy
MODERATOR: Nick Gorgoglione, Marketing Head, Vodafone Oman
12:00
13:00
KEYNOTE
Viplob Syngal, Head of Business Development, NEC
13:15
KEYNOTE
Mounir Ladki, Co-Founder, President & CTO, MYCOM
13:15
13:30
Networking lunch
14:30
KEYNOTE: Leveraging AI towards Sustainability Goals
Ibrahim Gedeon, CTO, TELUS
14:30
14:45
KEYNOTE: Maintaining Telecom Services Despite All Obstacles
Imad Kreidieh, Chairman and Director General, Ogero
15:15
KEYNOTE
Maha Ibrahim AlQernas, GM & VP, Zain KSA
15:15
15:30
PANEL: WOMEN IN ICT
PANEL OUTLINE:
• Influencing the role of women in the ICT sector
• The added values that women bring to the table
• Addressing gender equality in telecom and ICT fields
• Personal experiences and milestones
• Gender Equality: Diversity and Inclusion
PANELISTS:
• Dr. Atsuko Okuda, Head of ITU Asia-Pacific
• Melike Kara Tanrikulu, General Manager, Fintech, e& life
• May Li, Solution and Marketing VP, Huawei Middle East Carrier Business Group
• Dr. Nadine Akkari, Associate Professor, Jeddah international college, KSA
• Dr. Linda Kassem, Senior Policy and Legal Advisor - Lead Trade Negotiator
• Sylvia Anampiu, Managing Director, MTN GlobalConnect Kenya
• Jamal Najem, Program Director, du
MODERATOR: Rana Hajir, Head of IT Solutions, HPE
• Influencing the role of women in the ICT sector
• The added values that women bring to the table
• Addressing gender equality in telecom and ICT fields
• Personal experiences and milestones
• Gender Equality: Diversity and Inclusion
PANELISTS:
• Dr. Atsuko Okuda, Head of ITU Asia-Pacific
• Melike Kara Tanrikulu, General Manager, Fintech, e& life
• May Li, Solution and Marketing VP, Huawei Middle East Carrier Business Group
• Dr. Nadine Akkari, Associate Professor, Jeddah international college, KSA
• Dr. Linda Kassem, Senior Policy and Legal Advisor - Lead Trade Negotiator
• Sylvia Anampiu, Managing Director, MTN GlobalConnect Kenya
• Jamal Najem, Program Director, du
MODERATOR: Rana Hajir, Head of IT Solutions, HPE
17:00
Networking coffee break
17:00
17:30
PANEL: THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY
PANEL OUTLINE:
• 5G Advanced
• 6G, do we need it soon?
• Meta Verse from science fiction to reality: How real is the Meta verse?
• Digital inclusion
• Chip of the Future: Basics of Next generation of Technology
PANELISTS:
• Khalid Murshid, Chief Technology & Information Officer, etisalat by e&
• Jan Holzberg, Commercial Director, Vodafone Oman
• Alex Chace, Senior Director, APTelecom
• Dr. Ammar Alhusaini, Deputy Director General for Information Technology, Central Agency for
Information Technology of Kuwait (VIRTUAL - TBC)
• Ricky Boyle, SVP, transformation solutions, B-Yond
• Tamer Bdran, Managing Director, NEC GCC
MODERATOR: Rana Sanyoura, Partner, MENA Strategy and Transactions TMT Leader, EY
• 5G Advanced
• 6G, do we need it soon?
• Meta Verse from science fiction to reality: How real is the Meta verse?
• Digital inclusion
• Chip of the Future: Basics of Next generation of Technology
PANELISTS:
• Khalid Murshid, Chief Technology & Information Officer, etisalat by e&
• Jan Holzberg, Commercial Director, Vodafone Oman
• Alex Chace, Senior Director, APTelecom
• Dr. Ammar Alhusaini, Deputy Director General for Information Technology, Central Agency for
Information Technology of Kuwait (VIRTUAL - TBC)
• Ricky Boyle, SVP, transformation solutions, B-Yond
• Tamer Bdran, Managing Director, NEC GCC
MODERATOR: Rana Sanyoura, Partner, MENA Strategy and Transactions TMT Leader, EY
18:30
FIRESIDE CHAT
• Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO, e&
• Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review Group and CEO of Trace Media Int’l
• Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review Group and CEO of Trace Media Int’l
18:30
18:45
CLOSING NOTES OF DAY 2
Toni Eid, Founder of Telecom Review Group, and CEO of Trace
Media Int’l; and Jeff Seal, Managing Partner - Telecom Review North America
Media Int’l; and Jeff Seal, Managing Partner - Telecom Review North America
18:50
Networking reception and entertainment program
18:50
20:15
Awards ceremony, and Gala dinner
N.B.:
(P) refers to physical presence
(V) refers to virtual participation