Nokia is in the enviable position of having a market share larger than its next three competitors combined. Despite this commanding lead, the handset manufacturer continues to look at ways to reinvigorate itself and continue to stay ahead of the industry’s development curve. Comm. speaks to Mark Selby, Nokia’s vice president of Industry Collaboration about how the company is adding value and remaining relevant in a fast evolving marketplace.

Nokia CEO Kallasvuo is keen to see the company take more risks as it bridges the convergence between mobile communications and the Internet. New products are expected to start shipping in Q3.

In a rare misstep from Nokia, the Finnish handset manufacturer missed its earnings expectations for Q108 to end-March, attributing a slowdown in the global handset market to its failure to reach its forecasted numbers.
Continue reading →

Jordan is one of the Middle East’s most competitive telecoms markets. In a population of less than six million inhabitants at the end of 2007, the country counts three GSM operators and one iDEN player. The national regulator, the TRC, prides itself with driving

Continue reading →

Regional media estimates value the Middle East’s healthcare sector at as much as US$74 billion, with an annual growth rate of 16 per cent. Michelle Mills examines this vertical market and how wireless voice communications, portable handheld devices and online collaborations, help to improve the quality of healthcare services.

Francois Barrault, CEO of BT Global Services, says the current wave of ICT investments in healthcare means there is no better time to be involved.
HP Middle East’s Amin Kayal believes hospital networks need to be highly secured against hacking and data loss.

Continue reading →

The GSMA reported that total connections to GSM mobile communications networks have passed the three billion mark globally in the middle of April. The third billion landmark was reached just four years after the GSM industry surpassed its first billion, and just two years from the second billionth connection.

Continue reading →

As the Middle East and Africa witnesses the highest growth in market value worldwide for communications, media and technology, analysts look to how telecoms players can maintain their momentum amid greater competition. Michelle Mills explores what factors are likely to be required in order to sustain business growth in the region in the years ahead.

Booz Allen Hamilton’s El-Darwiche says infrastructure sharing will  reshape competitors’ relationships.

Consensus among analysts and their market forecasts reveals further consolidation among pan-regional operators coming into play and increased competition from foreign markets. As competition heats up, cost optimisation will also encourage leaner business models which should modify traditional competitive relationships between operators.
Continue reading →