Gulf Industry http://www.tradearabia.com/ Gulf Industry - en-us Copyright Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group. Gulf Industry 144 90 http://www.tradearabia.com/ http://www.gulfindustryonline.com/images/gi_gclogo.gif <![CDATA[Utilities focus on cyber security]]>
According to a new report from Pike Research, the intense focus on smart grid cyber security from utilities, infrastructure vendors, standards bodies, and world governments is spurring a surge in revenue growth, and the cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that the sector will increase from $1.2 billion in 2009 to $3.7 billion by 2015. During the period from 2010 to 2015, Pike Research anticipates that a total of approximately $21 billion will be invested in global smart grid cyber security deployments. ]]> As utilities around the world have initiated major smart grid infrastructure upgrades over the past several years, cyber security has become a critical priority. Security measures are designed to protect the electrical grid from attacks by terrorists and hackers, as well as strengthening its resilience against natural disasters and inadvertent threats such as equipment failures and user errors.

According to a new report from Pike Research, the intense focus on smart grid cyber security from utilities, infrastructure vendors, standards bodies, and world governments is spurring a surge in revenue growth, and the cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that the sector will increase from $1.2 billion in 2009 to $3.7 billion by 2015. During the period from 2010 to 2015, Pike Research anticipates that a total of approximately $21 billion will be invested in global smart grid cyber security deployments.

Utility technologists move
“No utility wants to be the weak link in the chain,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “The concern over grid vulnerability is driving utility technologists to work closely with systems integrators, infrastructure suppliers, and standards bodies to develop a robust framework for smart grid cyber security across multiple domains.”

Wheelock adds that this process has accelerated over the past year, spurred in large part by the US Department of Energy’s smart grid stimulus programmes and the intiatives and priorities of other organisations.

Pike Research forecasts that equipment protection and configuration management will be the largest security category over the next several years. Among smart grid applications, the firm expects that the greatest investments will go into cyber security for distribution automation (DA) and transmission upgrades, followed by security measures for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) smart meters.

]]> <![CDATA[Batelco exempted from TRA nod]]>
However, Batelco must certify compliance with specific tariff controls (such as no margin squeeze, no predatory pricing, no excessive pricing) defined to protect competition and consumers under the new framework for the regulation of retail telecom tariffs in the kingdom issued by the TRA.

The framework also includes supporting guidelines explaining the approach of TRA to competition, said a statement.

Dr Mohamed Al Amer, TRA’s chairman and acting general director, said the completion of the reform represented a major milestone in the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector for Bahrain. TRA - Bahrain is the first regulator in the region to implement a full competition-based regulatory framework in line with international best practice.

“With the level of competition increasing in the mobile sector and other market segments it is important that Batelco has adequate flexibility to compete on a level playing field with Zain and soon also with Viva,” Al Amer said.

“Under the new regime, Batelco will no longer require our approval to launch new mobile tariffs, although its tariffs must not contravene anti-competitive provisions of the Telecommunications Law and its licences.”
]]> Batelco, Bahrain’s leading telecom operator, will no longer require the prior approval of the Tecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to launch or amend retail mobile and certain international tariffs.

However, Batelco must certify compliance with specific tariff controls (such as no margin squeeze, no predatory pricing, no excessive pricing) defined to protect competition and consumers under the new framework for the regulation of retail telecom tariffs in the kingdom issued by the TRA.

The framework also includes supporting guidelines explaining the approach of TRA to competition, said a statement.

Dr Mohamed Al Amer, TRA’s chairman and acting general director, said the completion of the reform represented a major milestone in the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector for Bahrain. TRA - Bahrain is the first regulator in the region to implement a full competition-based regulatory framework in line with international best practice.

“With the level of competition increasing in the mobile sector and other market segments it is important that Batelco has adequate flexibility to compete on a level playing field with Zain and soon also with Viva,” Al Amer said.

“Under the new regime, Batelco will no longer require our approval to launch new mobile tariffs, although its tariffs must not contravene anti-competitive provisions of the Telecommunications Law and its licences.”

]]> <![CDATA[GBM sees growth]]>
The forecasts were announced at a series of internal ‘kick off’ meetings held in Bahrain and other locations in the region.

GBM is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

In its very first year of operations in 1990, GBM’s revenue totalled $50 million. “Over the past 20 years, GBM’s revenue has grown at a compound rate of 10 per cent which is significant considering the good and bad years in the two decades,” said its CEO, Cesare Cardone.

Since 1990, GBM has consolidated its presence in its operating markets from increasing its customer base to partnering with the IT industry’s global names such as IBM and Cisco. It has also become a significant player in the region’s e-Government evolution partnering with governments in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

A spin-off from IBM, GBM is the sole distributor for IBM– excluding selected IBM products and services –throughout the GCC, except for Saudi Arabia.  In 1999 it secured the Cisco portfolio and has forged more than 20 strategic partnerships with internationally recognised solution providers.

The company has offices in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and in its home base, Bahrain. It also has established a presence in Pakistan.]]> Gulf Business Machines (GBM), which registered revenues of $361 million in 2009, has forecasted a 10 to 12 per cent growth in business this year and says it plans to maintain an overall growth rate of between 10 and 15 per cent over the next five years.

The forecasts were announced at a series of internal ‘kick off’ meetings held in Bahrain and other locations in the region.

GBM is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

In its very first year of operations in 1990, GBM’s revenue totalled $50 million. “Over the past 20 years, GBM’s revenue has grown at a compound rate of 10 per cent which is significant considering the good and bad years in the two decades,” said its CEO, Cesare Cardone.

Since 1990, GBM has consolidated its presence in its operating markets from increasing its customer base to partnering with the IT industry’s global names such as IBM and Cisco. It has also become a significant player in the region’s e-Government evolution partnering with governments in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

A spin-off from IBM, GBM is the sole distributor for IBM– excluding selected IBM products and services –throughout the GCC, except for Saudi Arabia.  In 1999 it secured the Cisco portfolio and has forged more than 20 strategic partnerships with internationally recognised solution providers.

The company has offices in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and in its home base, Bahrain. It also has established a presence in Pakistan.

]]> <![CDATA[New Qtel service]]>
The new service will enable customers to unify all their accounts, contacts and details for a full range of microblogging, blogging and social media services onto one platform, which can be accessed via their mobile phone or the Internet.

Qtel Group developed this new service following in-depth customer research across the 17 markets where it has a presence, which revealed demand for a simple, convenient and integrated service that will enable people to manage and access their diverse web of social networks.

“Social networking has made a major impact on society, changing the way that people are networking within their communities, sharing information and interacting,” said Dr Nasser Marafih, chief executive officer, Qtel Group.

“We will provide a service which could simplify the way people can manage the full range of social networks, with a particular focus on providing one-touch access via their mobile phones,” he added.

“This new service delivers a simple unique customer experience in a way that is flexible enough to cater for the uniqueness of our diverse markets, and really demonstrates how mobile technology is changing the way we stay in touch with the world.”]]> Qtel Group, a leading communications group in Qatar, has unveiled a new service to manage social networks and blogs through a single address book at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The new service will enable customers to unify all their accounts, contacts and details for a full range of microblogging, blogging and social media services onto one platform, which can be accessed via their mobile phone or the Internet.

Qtel Group developed this new service following in-depth customer research across the 17 markets where it has a presence, which revealed demand for a simple, convenient and integrated service that will enable people to manage and access their diverse web of social networks.

“Social networking has made a major impact on society, changing the way that people are networking within their communities, sharing information and interacting,” said Dr Nasser Marafih, chief executive officer, Qtel Group.

“We will provide a service which could simplify the way people can manage the full range of social networks, with a particular focus on providing one-touch access via their mobile phones,” he added.

“This new service delivers a simple unique customer experience in a way that is flexible enough to cater for the uniqueness of our diverse markets, and really demonstrates how mobile technology is changing the way we stay in touch with the world.”

]]> <![CDATA[Brief]]> Qel, Microsoft ink alliance

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has announced the signing of a broad strategic alliance with Microsoft to bring together integrated cloud-based services, software applications, mobile services and devices over its converged network.
The alliance aims to expand Qtel’s service portfolio, helping redefine the digital work style and lifestyle of their subscribers, said Dr Nasser Marafih, Qtel CEO, at Mobile World Congress 2010.


]]> Qel, Microsoft ink alliance

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) has announced the signing of a broad strategic alliance with Microsoft to bring together integrated cloud-based services, software applications, mobile services and devices over its converged network.
The alliance aims to expand Qtel’s service portfolio, helping redefine the digital work style and lifestyle of their subscribers, said Dr Nasser Marafih, Qtel CEO, at Mobile World Congress 2010.


Intel, Nokia merge software

Intel and Nokia are merging their popular Moblin and Maemo software platforms, in a significant development in the convergence of communications and computing.

This will create a unified Linux-based platform that will run on multiple hardware platforms across a wide range of computing devices, including pocketable mobile computers, netbooks, tablets, mediaphones, connected TVs and in-vehicle infotainment systems.


Etisalat interested in Algeria

Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat) will enter the Algerian market if the right opportunity came up, its chairman said.

“We will be interested in the Algerian market when we see the right opportunity. No doubt that choosing a telecom partner is an Algerian government decision,” Mohammad Omran said.

Qatar Steel selects GE solution

Qatar Steel has selected GE Intelligent Platforms to provide a complete production management solution designed to improve operating efficiency.

The contract features GE’s award-winning suite of Proficy software including Plant Applications, Historian, iFIX and Portal rolled out in a phased format led by a significant pilot project.


Zain wins award

Zain, a leading telecom services provider, has won a top award for its mobile commerce service called Zap at the ongoing mobile world congress in Barcelona.

Zain claimed the inaugural GSMA’s 2010 Mobile Money for the Unbanked Service award for its mobile commerce service at the Global Mobile Awards, the industry’s leading annual prize ceremony, announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

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