Nokia is rapidly expanding its presence in the Middle East and neighboring territories, having clinched a series of major new network contracts in the past 12 months. From Libya to Ethiopia, Iraq to Pakistan, Nokia has been selected by mobile operators and national government authorities to install or upgrade equipment for mobile networks. Mobile operators in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain have also turned to Nokia installations and expertise to bring the convenience of mobile phones and messaging to millions of people.
A $120-million contract in Libya, awarded last month, will establish the first 3G network there and marks the latest highlight in Nokia’s growth in new markets in the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.
A year ago, Nokia was appointed to set up multimedia-messaging facilities for MobiNil, Egypt’s leading mobile service provider with more than 2.6 million subscribers. More key contracts followed in quick succession, with Bahrain choosing Nokia in October last year to create a radio access network, the first in the Middle East to use EDGE and WCDMA technology.
In February this year, Nokia was commissioned to establish Iraq’s first GSM core network, responsible for all implementation other than site preparation. A month later, Saudi Telecom selected Nokia to upgrade its mobile network to cope with the increased Haj traffic, creating increased capacity for more than two million pilgrims.
By the middle of this year, Nokia had completed the first phase of a nationwide professional mobile radio communication network for the Interior Ministry in Kuwait, bringing enhanced security to the Kuwaiti police and public authorities.
In July, Pakistan’s Telenor Pak Pvt. Ltd. commissioned Nokia to build and operate a GSM network to serve central and northern Punjab. This will be live by mid-2005. And a month later, Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation awarded Nokia a 40 million euro contract to supply and install a core mobile network.
“We are extremely pleased to be of service in bringing quality mobile communications to so many people in so many countries,” said Dr. Walid Moneimne, Nokia’s senior vice president, EMEA, Networks. “We are determined to work for the future success of our clients in all of these markets and the deals we have concluded over the past year are proof of our commitment to them.”
CA Targeting SMBs
Computer Associates International (CA) has put forward its plans to target the small and medium-sized business (SMB) sector, one of three strategic moves aimed at expanding its business in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). To support its push into this market, CA is investing 20 million euros in infrastructure and marketing activities, and will offer a portfolio of products, packaged to meet the specific needs of SMBs, that will be sold through its 17,000-strong partner community in EMEA.
“Our move into the SMB market is the cornerstone of CA’s growth strategy in EMEA,” said Gilbert Lacroix, vice president and general manager for CA in the Arab countries. “We already have an established foothold in the SMB market with products such as ARCserve Backup so we’re confident that with this increased focus and investment we will see a significant boost in revenues and market share.”
By providing a “one stop shop” for best-in-class antivirus, backup, antispyware and desktop migration, CA plans to differentiate itself against single product suppliers and large IT systems vendors. CA’s product portfolio includes BrightStor ARCserve Backup, eTrust Antivirus, Unicenter Desktop DNA and eTrust PestPatrol — all of the elements SMBs need to protect their IT investments.
Recently, CA announced the launch of direct operations in the Arab region. CA’s direct presence — compared with its previous engagement solely through partners — signals a clear change in the company’s strategy toward Arab countries. CA plans to expand its $1 billion annual EMEA revenues faster than the overall market by implementing a three-pronged growth strategy. In addition to its expansion in the SMB market, the strategy calls for deeper penetration of selected emerging markets such as the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe and increased business with original equipment manufacturers.
HP Appoints New Manager
HP has appointed Samer Karawi as Marketing Manager for Enterprise and Corporate Communications in the Middle East. He replaces Abdul Aziz Mohammed who has moved to Canada to take up a new position as Enterprise Segment Marketing Manager with HP Canada.
“This is a win-win situation for all concerned,” said Joseph Hanania, MD of HP Middle East. “Samer brings a wealth of experience to his new position and will be a key member of the HP management team as we continue to grow our market leadership position in the Middle East. We will all miss Abdul Aziz who has done an excellent job as part of the team that has put us in this dominant position. But all of us at HP Middle East are delighted that he will continue to work with HP in his newly adopted country.”
Samer will be responsible for devising and implementing marketing plans to support HP’s sales objectives in the Enterprise sector within the region with a particular focus on the areas of telecommunications, finance, public sector and extended manufacturing. He will also be in charge of all corporate marketing and communications within the Middle East.