Page 36 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2025

ARTICLE SAMENA TRENDS

scheme. This initiative aimed to increase expanding into adjacent services like the allowing satellite operators to lease ground
fiber adoption among external internet Internet of Things (IoT) and network digital stations for communication and control of
service providers while discouraging churn solutions (such as cloud services, AI, and their satellites.
to alternative networks. Despite intense 5G networks). These offerings can help
regulatory scrutiny over commercial offers, telecom operators capture a larger share Such innovation not only opens up new
Openreach successfully increased fiber of enterprise spending while extending the revenue streams but also positions
uptake by 65% over three years, accelerating boundaries of traditional telecom services. wholesalers as first movers in emerging
the scale-up of its FTTP network and Elisa, for example, has pursued acquisitions markets, reinforcing their role as digital
advancing its plans to decommission its to build a digital solutions ecosystem that enablers across sectors.
copper network. includes advanced analytics for network
performance monitoring and automated These four strategies offer small- to
Second, wholesalers should look to expand maintenance, which reduce downtime and medium-sized opportunities that wholesale
network coverage into new geographies operational costs. Wholesalers can better telecoms should adopt simultaneously to
to address growing demand for enhanced serve existing customers while attracting drive growth. Pursuing these strategies
connectivity and support the region’s digital new ones by broadening their portfolio. successfully requires a lean, agile
transformation initiatives. The GCC, with its operating model focused on efficiency and
new mega projects and smart cities, offers scalability. Wholesalers must also prioritize
significant opportunities for expansion. Leveraging advanced tech- customer satisfaction by enhancing
By investing in neutral host networks nologies—such as block- the customer experience, optimizing
(infrastructure shared by multiple carriers), chain for settlements, networks, and digitizing core operations.
implementing demand aggregation, and Leveraging advanced technologies—such
developing smart deployment capabilities, AI-powered fraud manage- as blockchain for settlements, AI-powered
wholesalers can secure a dominant ment, and network analyt- fraud management, and network analytics
position in future infrastructure bids. for capacity planning—can drive both
ics for capacity planning— efficiency and innovation.
They also can expand through strategic can drive both efficiency
mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures. As competition intensifies and traditional
For example, T-Mobile NL partnered with and innovation. growth avenues stagnate, GCC telecom
Tampnet to provide affordable mobile operators must act now to embrace the
service for North Sea wind farms, and Fourth, to tap into new markets, wholesalers next generation of wholesale telecom or
Telenor Maritime teamed up with Starlink should explore emerging technologies and risk reverting to cost centers. By moving
and OneWeb to deliver satellite connectivity forge strategic partnerships that allow with a clear vision and sense of urgency to
to shipping fleets. These partnerships them to deliver innovative services to innovate, diversify, and expand, wholesalers
enable wholesalers to extend their reach nontraditional customers. For instance, stc will be well-prepared to drive sustainable
into new markets and offer valuable partnered with SKYFive Arabia to introduce growth and lead the region’s digital
services to nontraditional customer in-flight broadband connectivity and signed transformation in a rapidly evolving market.
segments. an agreement with flynas to provide air-
to-ground connectivity services. Telstra,
Third, wholesalers can enhance their meanwhile, collaborated with Viasat to
relevance and revenue potential by offer ground station as a service (GSaaS),

36 MARCH-APRIL 2025