ICT
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2017
View in Online Reader

High mobile uptake, leading smartphone penetration, and rapid expansion of wireless broadband and fibre-optic infrastructure have driven the UAE to the forefront of regional telecoms development. Although mobile tariffs are comparatively high and international volatility has affected operator profits, a recent series of consumer-friendly reforms should help control consumer charges while supporting growth. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has rolled out several consumer-friendly changes aimed at boosting competition, with a long-awaited infrastructure-sharing deal between the two mobile operators making significant progress in 2016. Meanwhile, the emirate’s IT sector has shown promising growth over the previous decade, bolstered by rising levels of mobile broadband service offerings, smartphone penetration and internet usage. ICT development is a critical priority for the emirate and the UAE, as reflected in both national and emirate-level, long-term economic development strategies, which have significantly expanded e-government offerings and cybersecurity initiatives in recent years.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Hold the phone: Consumers are in for more choices following new investments and regulations
OBG
plus

High mobile uptake, leading smartphone penetration, and rapid expansion of wireless broadband and fibre-optic infrastructure have driven the UAE to the forefront of regional telecoms development. Although mobile tariffs are comparatively high and international volatility has affected operator profits, a recent series of consumer-friendly reforms should help control consumer charges while supporting growth. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has rolled out several consumer-friendly…

Overview

Smart cookie: Innovative ICT solutions are set to cut costs and transform government services
OBG
plus

The emirate’s IT sector has shown promising growth over the previous decade, bolstered by rising levels of mobile broadband service offerings, smartphone penetration and internet usage. ICT development is a critical priority for the emirate and the UAE, as reflected in both national and emirate-level, long-term economic development strategies, which have significantly expanded e-government offerings and cybersecurity initiatives in recent years. Strong collaboration with industry and academia…

Analysis

Tough on crime: Updated legislation is tackling a new criminal trend
OBG
plus

The cybersecurity industry in Abu Dhabi is in the midst of a rapid expansionary period, driven by the rising incidence of cybercrime across the UAE, as well as growing interest in cybersecurity innovation within both the private sector and academia. Although the emirate’s cybersecurity industry remains in its early stages and awareness is limited among many public and private entities in the UAE, Abu Dhabi is set to take a leading role in cybersecurity innovation through new private sector…