Interview: Maziad Alharbi, CEO, stc Kuwait
In what ways are changing consumer demands and technological advancements shaping the industry?
MAZIAD ALHARBI: The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the technological revolution and prompted a shift towards digitalisation and digital transformation. This in turn created opportunities and cost-efficient strategies for businesses, driving the transition from physical to digital environments. While sectors like energy and banking have historically led digitalisation efforts, other industries have untapped needs for affordable and scalable digital solutions, positioning the ICT sector for growth.
On the retail front, consumers are increasingly turning to entertainment and gaming, with numerous products in development. As markets harness the potential of 5G technology, it will bring about drastic changes and increased usage. Furthermore, telecommunications firms are continually finding innovative ways to monetise these opportunities, with mobile operators evolving into ICT players to facilitate the digital transformation.
How can local stakeholders facilitate the adoption of ICT solutions by small businesses?
ALHARBI: Investment is under way to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), and other digital services. SMEs are seeking faster and more cost-effective solutions, while being keen to expand their financial capabilities, primarily by using apps to manage inventory and invoicing. Cloud services in particular offer cost-effective and tailored solutions that are ideal for SMEs. In this regard, telecommunications companies are evolving into end-to-end partners for SMEs, offering additional tailored services.
Which emerging technologies or trends will have the most significant effect on telecommunications?
ALHARBI: The transition in telecommunications created opportunities for emerging technologies such as AI and the internet of things (IoT). These are already in use, albeit on a limited scale. For example, IoT is being utilised for smart metering and maintenance, while AI is helping the oil and gas sector optimise decision-making processes. In the coming years we anticipate a significant increase in their scale and application, especially since smart cities rely on IoT solutions and AI applications to enhance data collection and achieve cost efficiency. On the other side, the private sector is already leveraging these tools, with a substantial gap in their adoption by the government, presenting future opportunities.
This digital transformation has led to a rise in demand for cybersecurity solutions. As online assets and transactions become more prevalent, specialised data-protection solutions are crucial. However, cybersecurity requires a cultural shift to be successful. Educating both employees and customers is essential for its effectiveness and a sustainable outlook. Cybersecurity software and systems hold immense potential, and their demand is expected to grow alongside increased digitalisation, making them a necessity for ICT solutions providers.
To what extent can regulations or policies be adjusted to promote growth in the broader ICT sector?
ALHARBI: Private- and public-sector customers are showing a growing interest in migrating to the cloud. However, hosting data locally is not possible without Tier-3 or Tier-4 data centres (DCs), leading to potential risks associated with offshore hosting. DCs have become critical global infrastructure, necessitating reliable transmission cables and a stable electricity supply. Kuwait faces unique challenges in this regard, as land is scarce and municipal authorities are yet to issue solid regulations for critical infrastructure like DCs. Regulatory support is crucial to facilitate this transformation and encourage investors to commit capital and expertise. To boost connectivity and enable local data hosting, the support of the regulatory authorities is required in facilitating the development of key infrastructure.
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