february 2024 / vol. 2 issue 2 / an ITP Media Group publication Exploring how 6G will redefine industries, experiences, and innovations The next wave of connectivity THURSDAY 7 TH MARCH 2024 FAIRMONT THE PALM, DUBAI, UAE Where Infrastructure Meets Innovation Step into Middle East Data Centre 360 – an exclusive platform tailored for B2B professionals in the technology and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) sectors, offering an unparalleled exploration of the future of data centres. Be prepared for insightful discussions led by our esteemed speakers, contributing to the crucial dialogue on constructing resilient, efficient, and sustainable data infrastructure. REGISTER TO ATTEND GET IN TOUCH Priyanka Pillai Group Commercial Manager, edge T: +971 4 444 3399 E: priyanka.pillai@itp.com Oliver Osea Senior Commercial Manager, MEP Middle East T: +971 4 444 3129 E: oliver.osea@itp.com ITP.EVENTS/ MIDDLEEASTDATACENTRE360 SCAN TO REGISTER GOLD SPONSORedge_february 2024 3 contents february 2024 14 10 18 cover story The Future of Connectivity As the industry anticipates the arrival of 6G, expectations soar promising a revolutionary leap into the future 184 edge_february 2024 “As we move beyond the realms of 5G, 6G is set to explore new frequency bands, including terahertz frequencies” From Page 50 24 other stories Beyond the hype From composite AI approaches to the rise of Chief AI Officers, explore challenges and opportunities 42 Gadget Watch 6 amazing gadgets to keep an eye out for 44 Review Sennheiser Accentum 48 contents 28 Mohammed Amin, Vice President, CEEMETA, Dell Technologies Mark Brewer, VP service industries, IFSedge_february 2024 5 editor’s letter PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Editorial Group Editor Kate-Lynne Wolmarans +971 4 444 3541 / kate.wolmarans@itp.com Editor Adelle Geronimo +971 4 444 3497 / adelle.geronimo@itp.com Commercial Editor Arya Devi +971 4 444 3175 / arya.devi@itp.com Art Art Director Amjad Ayche Art Editor Tofi q Memon Contributing Designer Muhammed Nahas Advertising Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar +971 4 444 3573 / anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Group Commercial Manager Priyanka Pillai +971 4 444 3399 / priyanka.pillai@itp.com Client Services Manager Cherylann DAbreo +971 4 444 3404 / cherlyann.dabreo@itp.com Photography Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager Andy Ruedas Production Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Manoj Mahadevan Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Distribution Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Marketing Director of Events & Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Welcome to the February issue of edge! This month, we explore the many promises of 6G. As the 5G race continues, tech visionaries are already contemplating the next leap forward, and 6G is poised to redefine connectivity as we know it. Regionally, local players like du are teaming up with network technology innovators to spearhead efforts to explore 5.5G technology as a stepping stone towards full-fledged 6G. This ambitious move signals a new era of connectivity that transcends our current technological boundaries. It is key to note, however, that the benefits of 6G extend far beyond speed, offering seamless integration of the physical, digital, and human worlds. Expectations are monumental, with promises of 100 times faster speeds than 5G and instantaneous communication across devices and environments. To know more, turn to page 18. In this issue, we feature highlights from the Oracle CloudWorld Tour in Dubai, where the global tech giant showcased its latest partnerships and developments in cloud infrastructure, databases, and applications. Additionally, we have an insightful interview with Ramzi Bsaibes from Riverbed Technology, shedding light on the pivotal role of unified observability in enabling seamless digital retail services. Additionally, we bring you exclusive insights from Dell Technologies, IFS, Dynatrace, and more. Moreover, I am thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the highly anticipated second edition of the edge Security Leadership Awards! With 16 prestigious categories up for grabs, these awards honour the outstanding in the field of cybersecurity. Nominations are open until 1 March 2024. Join us in celebrating the visionaries who are leading the charge in fortifying our defences against cyber threats. Turn to page 12 to find out how you can submit your entries. On that note, with a great deal of optimism and gratitude, I must share that this editorial will be my last. As I part from edge, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our amazing readers for your unwavering support and to the tech industry leaders for entrusting us with your stories. From ITP.net to edge, I am extremely proud to have been part of this publication, and I wish it continued success. Here’s to our paths crossing again. Happy reading! Forging ahead Adelle Geronimo editor Published by and © 2024 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.6 edge_february 2024 news HPE to buy Juniper Networks for $14 billion Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to buy networking firm Juniper Networks in an all-cash transaction valued at $14 billion. The acquisition, set at $40.00 per share, marks a strategic initiative by HPE to fortify its position in the networking market and respond to the escalating demand for AI-native and hybrid cloud solutions. The collaboration between HPE and Juniper is expected to reshape HPE’s portfolio, emphasising higher-growth solutions and strengthening its networking business. The acquisition is projected to double HPE’s networking business, creating a formidable force in the industry with a comprehensive portfolio that caters to the evolving needs of customers and partners. This move is in response to the surge in demand for secure, unified technology solutions as businesses increasingly adopt AI and hybrid cloud-driven models. HPE has been strategically aligning its portfolio to capitalise on these trends, recognising networking as a pivotal component in addressing the transformative impact of AI and cloud technologies on businesses. The combination of HPE and Juniper is anticipated to supercharge HPE’s edge-to-cloud strategy, positioning the merged entity as a leader in the AI-native environment built on a robust cloud-native architecture. Rami Rahim, the current CEO of Juniper Networks, will play a key role in leading the combined HPE networking business, reporting to HPE President and CEO Antonio Neri. Rami Rahim, CEO of Juniper Networks, said, “Our multi-year focus on innovative, secure AI-native solutions has driven Juniper Networks’ outstanding performance. We have successfully delivered exceptional user experiences and simplified operations, and by joining HPE, I believe we can accelerate the next phase of our journey.” The agreement has received unanimous approval from the Boards of Directors of both HPE and Juniper. Juniper shareholders are set to receive $40.00 per share in cash, representing a substantial premium of approximately 32 per cent to Juniper’s unaffected closing stock price on January 8, 2024. news bytes Stay in the loop with the latest news and trends from the tech scene BUSINESS $40.00 The acquisition price per shareedge_february 2024 7 news DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION The country aspires to position itself as a digital government leader Qatar to digitise 90% of citizen services by 2030 Qatar is set to establish a specialised “Centre of Excellence” dedicated to data and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), as part of its ambitious goal to digitise 90 per cent of its citizen services by 2030. The initiative, outlined in the third National Development Strategy (NDS3), also includes a revamp of tools for monitoring operational and institutional performance to track progress effectively. The country aspires to position itself as a digital government leader, aiming for a customer satisfaction score exceeding 85 per cent across all services by 2030. The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for data and emerging technologies will drive initiatives such as developing a comprehensive national data governance and management framework to improve data availability and quality. Emphasis is also placed on advancing system interoperability through enhanced data exchange layers. Qatar also plans to transform the design and delivery of services by strengthening central capabilities in innovation and digitisation. This includes revamping the service catalogue, establishing Service Level Agreement (SLA) frameworks, launching a one-stop-shop portal, delivering integrated services, improving customer experience, creating innovation labs, and establishing a Centre of Excellence for service design. AWS will allocate funds to enhance facilities in Tokyo and Osaka Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced its plan to invest ¥2.26 trillion ($15.24 billion) in Japan by 2027. This investment aims to expand the cloud computing infrastructure that serves as a crucial foundation for artificial intelligence (AI) services. AWS, a unit of Amazon.com, will allocate funds to enhance facilities in Tokyo and Osaka to meet the increasing demand from customers, according to a company statement. This investment follows a previous expenditure of ¥1.51 trillion from 2011 to 2022, dedicated to building up cloud capacity in Japan. AWS highlighted its provision of generative AI services to notable Japanese corporate clients, including Asahi Group, Marubeni, and Nomura Holdings. The significance of this investment aligns with Japan’s broader efforts, led by the government and the corporate sector, to accelerate progress in AI development. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has engaged in discussions with key figures from influential entities in the AI domain, such as OpenAI and Nvidia. These discussions have encompassed topics such as AI regulation and infrastructure. Amazon Web Services to invest $15 billion to expand cloud computing in Japan CLOUD8 edge_february 2024 news INFRASTRUCTURE DEWA adds 364km to fibre optic network in 2023 In 2023, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) extended its Fibre Optic (FO) ducts by 364 kilometres, covering various areas in Dubai. This expansion results in a 10 per cent increase, bringing the total length of these cable ducts to 3,998 kilometres, demonstrating DEWA’s commitment to advancing its digital infrastructure in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital transformation. DEWA has invested significantly in this initiative, with fixed assets surpassing AED 214 billion as of June 30, 2023. The external FO ducts serve the critical function of protecting and directing FO cables for communications, data transfer, and remote operations. This enhances DEWA’s FO infrastructure and smart grid, ensuring the availability of integrated and connected services 24/7, adhering to the highest standards of availability, reliability, accountability, and sustainability. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, emphasised the importance of expanding DEWA’s FO network to contribute to Dubai’s digital future, particularly in vital areas aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He highlighted the integral role of the AED 7 billion Smart Grid, a part of DEWA’s strategy to develop advanced infrastructure for managing facilities and services through smart and integrated systems. DEWA’s FO network supports the InfraX Network Operations Centre, a collaboration with Huawei, providing innovative digital services and enhancing Digital DEWA’s data centre and cloud-computing value-added services. InfraX, a DEWA subsidiary under Digital DEWA, plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of advanced communication services in the UAE while adhering to international standards and expanding its utilisation. $214BN DEWA’s fixed assets as of June 30, 2023edge_february 2024 9 news This move reflects the company’s ongoing investment in artificial intelligence Microsoft introduces AI button on key- boards AI Microsoft has announced a significant update to its Windows keyboard, introducing the “Copilot key” – the first change to the device in nearly thirty years. This move reflects Microsoft’s ongoing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, as the company aims to integrate AI into its products. The addition of the Copilot key highlights Microsoft’s ambitions for AI-enabled PCs, which utilise advanced chips capable of running large-language models and AI-powered applications directly on the device, rather than relying on cloud computing. The Copilot key was featured on select new Windows 11 PCs showcased at the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas. Microsoft has stated that the key will be available on Windows 11 PCs sometime after February this year, including upcoming Surface devices. Copilot, introduced in November, is a versatile AI service capable of performing various tasks such as summarising text and facilitating virtual meetings. It seamlessly integrates with Microsoft’s web and productivity applications, further emphasising the company’s commitment to incorporating AI technology into its software ecosystem. The Kingdom had declared it would only engage in contracts with international businesses having regional headquarters Major U.S. technology companies, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, have recently gained approval to establish their regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This development comes in response to a new policy set by the Saudi government, which required businesses to establish regional headquarters. This move is not unique to the tech sector, as other prominent corporations such as Pfizer, Airbus, and Oracle have also obtained the necessary permits to comply with the Saudi government’s directive. The government had previously announced its intention to refrain from entering into contracts with international businesses that did not have established regional headquarters within the kingdom. The overarching goal of this policy is multifaceted. Firstly, it aims to stimulate job creation by encouraging multinational companies to establish a more significant operational presence in Saudi Arabia. Secondly, the policy seeks to minimise economic leakage, ensuring that more economic activity and revenue remain within the country’s borders. With this, the government aims to enhance spending efficiency and bolster the local economy. Amazon, Google and Microsoft to set up regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia BUSINESSNext >