Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications firm, expects growth in its Middle East business driven by anticipated take-up of 5G wireless technology by consumers and businesses, one of its regional directors said.
“5G is the core of our business strategy and we’ve increased our [5G-related] research and development funding quite significantly since our new CEO took over,” said Ekow Nelson, a managing director for Ericsson’s partnership with UAE telco Etisalat, and head of Ericsson Pakistan.
Globally, the past quarter was "one of the best we've had in the last three years or so – the company has turned around and that's really because of the investment we're making in 5G", he added, in an interview with The National.
Ericsson swung to a quarterly operating profit of 4.9 billion Swedish kroner (Dh1.94bn) in the three months of this year from a 312 million kroner loss a year ago. Sales rose to 48.9bn kroner – beating analysts’ forecasts due to solid growth in the US – and the Stockholm-listed company’s shares rose more than 3 per cent to a four-year high when it reported the results in April.
In January 2017, a new chief executive, Börje Ekholm, took the helm as president and chief executive of Ericsson, and the company has since ramped up its investment in fifth generation (5G) technology, which is expected to transform telecoms and other industries in the decades ahead. In 2017, Ericsson spent around $4.5bn on 5G-related research and development.
5G is a high-frequency wireless network enabling data capacity of up to 10 gigabits per second, compared to 100 megabits per second for the current 4G - or LTE - network.
Today, the majority of internet-connected devices are connected via 2G and 3G technologies, and some through 4G, but 5G networks are expected to carry 35 per cent of mobile data traffic globally by 2024, with 1.9 billion 5G subscriptions predicted by the end of that year, according to Ericsson’s 2019 Mobility Report published last week.
Growth of 5G traffic is set to be more rapid in the Middle East and Africa than in other parts of the world – around eightfold by 2024 compared to five-fold globally, the report added.
This is largely due to the high appetite for video consumption in the region – the Middle East and North Africa has among the highest YouTube penetration rates in the world – as well as the evolution of traditional industries as part of economic diversification agendas.
In the UAE, Ericsson has a strategic partnership with UAE state telco Etisalat, whose operations cover 15 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The two companies signed an agreement in February to work to expand 5G coverage following Etisalat’s launch of a commercial 5G mobile network last year.
Mr Nelson told The National that high consumption of data in the Middle East is beginning to strain existing 4G networks and "it's too expensive to continue to expand that 4G infrastructure. 5G takes the extra load because it's designed to support 10 times as much speed as the existing networks."
In the consumer space, there is demand for 5G to enhance mobile and fixed-line broadband capabilities. “As the availability of smart devices, wearables and the plethora of video-enabled devices grow, it will lead to more people watching video, and that increased volume requires the right network not just to manage the volume but also to provide the right experience, free of jitters and delays,” he said.
In the commercial space, there are opportunities for ports operators and oil and gas firms to enhance productivity by switching to 5G over Wi-Fi to operate machinery. And, as the development of artificial intelligence leads to the take-up of factory robots - as deployed by e-commerce giant Amazon - companies re-kitting their factories will look to a more advanced form of wireless connectivity for machines and other equipment.
“5G provides so many opportunities for transforming industries, and we are firmly wedded to our strategy of working with telecoms operators in the region to address those opportunities,” Mr Nelson said.
“We are investing in the associated technology around cloud and the Internet of Things, but 5G is really where most of our investment is going.”
Ericsson has recruited 3,000 5G software engineers globally in the last 18 months, he added.
if you go
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ovasave%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Majd%20Abu%20Zant%20and%20Torkia%20Mahloul%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Healthtech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Three%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24400%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Napoleon
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Star%20Wars%3A%20Episode%20I%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Phantom%20Menace
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
'Falling%20for%20Christmas'
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aaron%20Horvath%20and%20Michael%20Jelenic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Pratt%2C%20Anya%20Taylor-Joy%2C%20Charlie%20Day%2C%20Jack%20Black%2C%20Seth%20Rogen%20and%20Keegan-Michael%20Key%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
