5G offers Communication Service Providers (CSPs) the potential to go beyond connectivity and capitalise on untapped revenue streams to deliver new services to enterprises across all industries. Walid Yehia, Managing Director – UAE, Dell Technologies, shares insights on how Open Telecom Ecosystem Labs, an initiative designed to foster innovation within the telecommunications industry, is the key to harnessing the potential of 5G and beyond.
What are the primary growth drivers in the UAE telecom market, and what is the industry’s near-term outlook?
The UAE is emerging as a frontrunner in the global 5G race. According to market forecast from Mordor Intelligence, the UAE’s telecom market is on an upward trajectory, valued at an estimated US$9.37 billion in 2024. Reports predict a continued growth rate of 3.15% per year, with the market reaching a projected size of US$10.93 billion by 2029.
With a focus on innovation and ambitious national visions, the UAE is poised to reap significant benefits from 5G’s high speeds, ultra-low latency and massive network capacity. This advanced technology promises to revolutionise the way people connect and experience mobile services in the Emirates. With this rapid evolution, staying ahead requires innovative solutions and strategic collaborations. Network operators need to bring cloud-native technologies to their network architectures so they can deliver new revenue-generating capabilities and applications on their networks. They are looking to work closely with trusted technology providers to help them modernise and contribute to the transformation of economies and businesses.
Could you provide an overview of Dell’s telecom business in the UAE and explain how you are supporting its growth?
Dell’s telecom software, solutions and services help communications service providers (CSPs) accelerate their open, cloud-native network deployments and create new revenue opportunities at the edge.
We’re focused on accelerating modern telecom, using our industry-standard hardware and software-defined architecture to speed up telcos’ modernisation of their networks. Dell’s PowerEdge servers are optimised for telecom, open RAN, and mobile edge computing workloads while simplifying edge operations. The scalable, modular designs simplify deployment and maintenance, while Network Equipment Building Systems (NEBS) compliance and Zero Trust enabling capabilities help provide safety and security in the field.
In the last few years, the UAE telecommunications industry has embraced open technologies from cloud network architectures and Kubernetes to open RAN systems. But despite the opportunities for innovation and cost savings that open systems bring, there are very few companies that can bring it all together in a secure, partner-friendly environment. At Dell Technologies, we’re committed to the open future of telecommunications, whether it’s 5G or the next generation of mobile solutions. Dell has created a collaborative network of teams, resources and facilities to accelerate time-to-value for every stakeholder in the 5G future.
Dell is known for its commitment to open standards. How does it benefit the telecoms sector?
Dell is committed to open standards to ensure interoperability and flexibility for our customers. This is particularly important in the telecom industry, where diverse systems and technologies are in use. In 2022, Dell launched the Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab (OTEL), a state‑of‑the‑art facility dedicated to developing, testing and improving telecommunications solutions through open‑source technology and vendor‑neutral collaboration. It was created to help solve the network challenges of today and tomorrow. By working with Dell as an OTEL partner, CSPs benefit from a secure, state‑of‑the‑art lab environment that allows for more comprehensive, seamless testing and faster time to market without scaling up costs. Collaboration and innovation are crucial to maximising 5G opportunities for businesses in the UAE. By adhering to open standards, our security solutions seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure, allowing telecom providers to build a cohesive and interoperable security ecosystem.
How does this approach benefit telecom providers in terms of interoperability and integration with other solutions?
Dell Technologies brings together CSPs and technology partners to help transform the telecom industry and make the open ecosystem a reality. We offer ecosystem opportunities ranging from joint validated designs to complete turnkey solutions. For the telecom ecosystem, it means integrating and going to market faster, driving growth and increased profits, and helping to fill the gaps in their business.
OTEL is truly a one-of-a-kind facility that is open to both telecommunications operators and network equipment providers for testing, validation, integration and more. It provides a platform for developers, telecom operators and technology vendors to test, validate and deploy new telecom solutions. By fostering collaboration among industry players, OTEL helps drive innovation and improves the overall efficiency and effectiveness of telecom networks and services, ultimately benefiting consumers with better and more reliable communication.
How is Dell helping CSPs in the UAE drive innovation and new services?
Dell helps the telecommunications industry accelerate the adoption of open, cloud-native architecture and technologies with new solutions and partnerships. We support the creation of consumable, tested solutions that telecom operators can confidently deploy in their networks.
For instance, in the UAE, we have been supporting this drive by working with e& Group where we recently signed an MOU to drive 5G innovation and strengthen e& Group’s mobile networks transformation to open technologies. The agreement allows e& Group to explore new avenues to enhance its technological capabilities and utilise the Dell OTEL environment to create, validate and drive telecoms innovations. By adhering to open standards, our security solutions seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure, allowing telecom providers to build a cohesive and interoperable security ecosystem. With these new collaborations, solutions and expanded lab capabilities, Dell is quickly growing the industry ecosystem and bringing together CSPs and technology partners to leapfrog open innovation into action.
