CommsMEA profiles the most influential operators ... - Sofrecom
APRIL 2014
Critical analysis for telecommunications executives
An ITP Technology Publication
CommsMEA profiles the most influential operators, regulators and suppliers in the MENA telecommunications industry
CHAMPIONS OF TELECOMS A special supplement to CommsMEA magazine
www.commsmea.com
ABDELKADER DALI SOFRECOM
UNRIVALED EXPERTISE Sofrecom, an Orange Group subsidiary, serves telecoms operators worldwide, drawing on its unrivaled expertise in prospective studies, business consulting, networks and IT. Abdelkader Dali, Managing Director of Sofrecom Middle East, presents Sofrecom’s experience in the Middle East and his views on the challenges facing telecoms players in the region’s particularly dynamic yet contrasted markets. What is Sofrecom’s core expertise today? Sofrecom has developed over almost 50 years its unique know-how in operator businesses and is now a world leader in telecoms consulting and engineering and in new information and communication technologies. Our strength and specificity lie in our total understanding of operator transformation processes and value chains. We have acquired very rich experience notably by supporting the launch of all Orange subsidiaries in the AMEA zone and serving more than 200 customers worldwide. Sofrecom has become a preferred partner for private operators, ministries, regulators and public authorities. Most of our experts have operational hands-on experience of technological or transformation projects within Orange Group and with other operators. This solid experience underlies the scope and power of Sofrecom’s “Know-How Network”. How is Sofrecom positioned in the dynamic yet contrasted markets of the Middle East? We adopt a pragmatic approach. We opened Sofrecom Middle East in United Arab Emirates in 2008 for two reasons: first, to be closer to our customers in order to better understand their ecosystem and challenges and, secondly, to work with local experts able to adapt easily to the cultural environment and the different situations of operators. This approach has been very effective and we are in the process to open Sofrecom in Qatar very soon this year. In this region, as elsewhere, the rollout of very broadband technologies and digital services has driven economic development and obliged telcos to adapt their business models in order to respond to customer aspirations and to stay ahead of the competition. Sofrecom is already assisting regional operators and regulators on network optimization, deployment and operation and on IT solutions. We also propose our expertise in market intelligence and strategic consulting. Middle Eastern operators are keen to deploy very high-speed networks, fixed-line and in particular mobile, while ensuring that
www.commsmea.com
users get the impeccable service that is vital to differentiate from competitors. At Sofrecom, we are convinced that customer experience management is essential: customer perception of technical and commercial quality must go hand in hand with network quality of service delivered – and measured – by the operator. Whatever the challenge, we can provide complete, tailor-made, customercentric assistance.
Abdelkader Dali
customers build a value proposal that differentiates them from the competition and to sell rich, original content accessible via all devices and media, including smartphones, tablets and TV. An operator’s strategy must imperatively take into account organization and human capital. For this reason, we have developed a range of services around what we call “Capacity Building”. Our conviction is that operators’ transformation projects essential to their development should be based on a collective dynamism. We propose resolutely pragmatic programs in which the key players are the employees. In a nutshell, our customers benefit from our cumulated experience on a multitude of varied projects and our vast Know-How Network.
What are Sofrecom’s advantages in the region? What services do you propose? In the more mature markets, operators have invested massively in very broadband fixed and mobile networks, and notably in optical fiber. But they also need to adapt their mid- and long-term business models, including strategies to sell compelling content to win and hold subscribers. Sofrecom’s “traditional” expertise lies in network infrastructure and IT solutions, and in these areas we have the enormous advantage of having access to Orange Group’s experience, particularly on the installation and management of fiber and mobile networks (3G/LTE). Sofrecom’s services are much appreciated in fast-expanding markets in which new telecoms infrastructures drive socio-economic development. At a technical level, our experts can design or evaluate network optimization plans, in particular as part of migrations to broadband infrastructure. We are often asked to supervise vendors and subcontractors, and to help operators manage their network quality of service from end to end, from the core network to the subscriber premises. In sales and marketing, we invent innovative content strategies taking into account local ecosystems. In general, our goal is to help our
What are your views on the massive 4G deployment in recent years? As regards 4G, the Middle East is really quite exceptional: already in 2010 most operators had an operational 4G network. The promise of everhigher data speeds has become a real advantage in holding subscribers the majority of whom are on pre-paid bundles and therefore free to switch to another provider. Operators are busy enriching their content offers with blockbusters, TV series, foreign football championships and the like. And they are also going for complementarity by proposing seamless delivery to any device (IPTV at home, mobile or tablet when on the move). Governments are also exploiting 4G and driving its development by launching bandwidthgreedy e-learning, e-healthcare and e-city services. However, the monetization of 4G services is still far from stabilized and pricing tends to reflect the consumption habits in each country. The challenge for operators is to base 4G development on a clearly defined business model. To ensure a return on investment and defend their market shares, they must demonstrate to consumers the immediate benefits of moving up to 4G – without any nasty cost surprises. This is another area in which Sofrecom Middle East can help.
Sofrecom has become a preferred partner for private operators, ministries, regulators and public authorities.”
CommsMEA Champions of Telecoms
19
Access a world of telco knowledge and expertise Business Consulting Networks Infrastructures & IT solutions Operational performance New services
A world-leading telecoms consulting and engineering specialist, Sofrecom can meet your most complex challenges. It can assist all stages of «operator projects» – creation, transformation, development or optimization – from choice of a strategy to operational implementation.
The resources of a world class telecoms group An Orange Group subsidiary
A vast network of skills 1,500 multicultural consultants Local and international partners
50 years of hands on experience Working for 200 customers in over 100 countries An international company, a local presence 11 local officies
Unique expertise Specialist in telco businesses Quality assurance A certified approach
(ISO, CMMI, Ethic Intelligence)
Sofrecom Middle East Abdelkader Dali Managing Director [email protected]
www.sofrecom.com
Pleine page pub.indd 2
Part of the Orange group
25/03/2014 13:57:13
Critical analysis for telecommunications executives
An ITP Technology Publication
CommsMEA profiles the most influential operators, regulators and suppliers in the MENA telecommunications industry
CHAMPIONS OF TELECOMS A special supplement to CommsMEA magazine
www.commsmea.com
ABDELKADER DALI SOFRECOM
UNRIVALED EXPERTISE Sofrecom, an Orange Group subsidiary, serves telecoms operators worldwide, drawing on its unrivaled expertise in prospective studies, business consulting, networks and IT. Abdelkader Dali, Managing Director of Sofrecom Middle East, presents Sofrecom’s experience in the Middle East and his views on the challenges facing telecoms players in the region’s particularly dynamic yet contrasted markets. What is Sofrecom’s core expertise today? Sofrecom has developed over almost 50 years its unique know-how in operator businesses and is now a world leader in telecoms consulting and engineering and in new information and communication technologies. Our strength and specificity lie in our total understanding of operator transformation processes and value chains. We have acquired very rich experience notably by supporting the launch of all Orange subsidiaries in the AMEA zone and serving more than 200 customers worldwide. Sofrecom has become a preferred partner for private operators, ministries, regulators and public authorities. Most of our experts have operational hands-on experience of technological or transformation projects within Orange Group and with other operators. This solid experience underlies the scope and power of Sofrecom’s “Know-How Network”. How is Sofrecom positioned in the dynamic yet contrasted markets of the Middle East? We adopt a pragmatic approach. We opened Sofrecom Middle East in United Arab Emirates in 2008 for two reasons: first, to be closer to our customers in order to better understand their ecosystem and challenges and, secondly, to work with local experts able to adapt easily to the cultural environment and the different situations of operators. This approach has been very effective and we are in the process to open Sofrecom in Qatar very soon this year. In this region, as elsewhere, the rollout of very broadband technologies and digital services has driven economic development and obliged telcos to adapt their business models in order to respond to customer aspirations and to stay ahead of the competition. Sofrecom is already assisting regional operators and regulators on network optimization, deployment and operation and on IT solutions. We also propose our expertise in market intelligence and strategic consulting. Middle Eastern operators are keen to deploy very high-speed networks, fixed-line and in particular mobile, while ensuring that
www.commsmea.com
users get the impeccable service that is vital to differentiate from competitors. At Sofrecom, we are convinced that customer experience management is essential: customer perception of technical and commercial quality must go hand in hand with network quality of service delivered – and measured – by the operator. Whatever the challenge, we can provide complete, tailor-made, customercentric assistance.
Abdelkader Dali
customers build a value proposal that differentiates them from the competition and to sell rich, original content accessible via all devices and media, including smartphones, tablets and TV. An operator’s strategy must imperatively take into account organization and human capital. For this reason, we have developed a range of services around what we call “Capacity Building”. Our conviction is that operators’ transformation projects essential to their development should be based on a collective dynamism. We propose resolutely pragmatic programs in which the key players are the employees. In a nutshell, our customers benefit from our cumulated experience on a multitude of varied projects and our vast Know-How Network.
What are Sofrecom’s advantages in the region? What services do you propose? In the more mature markets, operators have invested massively in very broadband fixed and mobile networks, and notably in optical fiber. But they also need to adapt their mid- and long-term business models, including strategies to sell compelling content to win and hold subscribers. Sofrecom’s “traditional” expertise lies in network infrastructure and IT solutions, and in these areas we have the enormous advantage of having access to Orange Group’s experience, particularly on the installation and management of fiber and mobile networks (3G/LTE). Sofrecom’s services are much appreciated in fast-expanding markets in which new telecoms infrastructures drive socio-economic development. At a technical level, our experts can design or evaluate network optimization plans, in particular as part of migrations to broadband infrastructure. We are often asked to supervise vendors and subcontractors, and to help operators manage their network quality of service from end to end, from the core network to the subscriber premises. In sales and marketing, we invent innovative content strategies taking into account local ecosystems. In general, our goal is to help our
What are your views on the massive 4G deployment in recent years? As regards 4G, the Middle East is really quite exceptional: already in 2010 most operators had an operational 4G network. The promise of everhigher data speeds has become a real advantage in holding subscribers the majority of whom are on pre-paid bundles and therefore free to switch to another provider. Operators are busy enriching their content offers with blockbusters, TV series, foreign football championships and the like. And they are also going for complementarity by proposing seamless delivery to any device (IPTV at home, mobile or tablet when on the move). Governments are also exploiting 4G and driving its development by launching bandwidthgreedy e-learning, e-healthcare and e-city services. However, the monetization of 4G services is still far from stabilized and pricing tends to reflect the consumption habits in each country. The challenge for operators is to base 4G development on a clearly defined business model. To ensure a return on investment and defend their market shares, they must demonstrate to consumers the immediate benefits of moving up to 4G – without any nasty cost surprises. This is another area in which Sofrecom Middle East can help.
Sofrecom has become a preferred partner for private operators, ministries, regulators and public authorities.”
CommsMEA Champions of Telecoms
19
Access a world of telco knowledge and expertise Business Consulting Networks Infrastructures & IT solutions Operational performance New services
A world-leading telecoms consulting and engineering specialist, Sofrecom can meet your most complex challenges. It can assist all stages of «operator projects» – creation, transformation, development or optimization – from choice of a strategy to operational implementation.
The resources of a world class telecoms group An Orange Group subsidiary
A vast network of skills 1,500 multicultural consultants Local and international partners
50 years of hands on experience Working for 200 customers in over 100 countries An international company, a local presence 11 local officies
Unique expertise Specialist in telco businesses Quality assurance A certified approach
(ISO, CMMI, Ethic Intelligence)
Sofrecom Middle East Abdelkader Dali Managing Director [email protected]
www.sofrecom.com
Pleine page pub.indd 2
Part of the Orange group
25/03/2014 13:57:13
