Collaboration is key to create a hyper-connected world as we move into a future that requires limitless connectivity to improve lives, redefine business and nurture an entrepreneurial ecosystem especially in the past two years that has profound effects on the ways we work, learn and socialise, said Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Etisalat Group.

He delivered a keynote address on ‘Enabling a Hyper-Connected World’ at the TiE Global Summit, an annual flagship conference for entrepreneurs. Each year, the event gathers speakers, mentors and conducts sessions on new business trends and entrepreneurship.

The conference also witnessed the participation of government and industry leaders sharing their perspective on the growing entrepreneur ecosystem in the country. H.E. Ahmed Belhoul, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SME inaugurated the event sharing his vision on nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs followed by Mohamed Al Abbar, founder of real estate conglomerate Emaar and the homegrown online marketplace Noon.

Abbar provided insights into his journey in building one of the largest real estate companies in the world and building an e-commerce portal in the region from scratch catering to customers in the Middle East.

In Dowidar’s address he highlighted the significance of connectivity in this digital environment where the network brings together the various stakeholders in this entrepreneurial ecosystem. He also reiterated how Etisalat is constantly looking at innovative ways to service customers by collaborating with startups that will enrich services and the daily lives of consumers at the same time supporting its digital ambitions.

He also emphasised how a crisis can accelerate innovation reimagining a more connected society through the power of technologies such as AI, 5G, big data and IoT that are shaping our future and transforming lives rapidly. This can be done by working collaboratively with all the stakeholders beyond the ICT ecosystem.

Dowidar added that mobile networks of the future have to be extensive and dynamic that is highly intelligent with an AI-powered infrastructure. These networks must be resilient and trustworthy capable of processing anywhere evolving as a model that is complex with real-time processing distributed and tightly integrated through-out the network.

With the continuous support and guidance of the UAE leadership in bringing digital transformation in the country this has enabled Etisalat to aspire to transition to a complete integrated ICT/digital solution provider. This is achieved by capitalising on opportunities such as megaprojects and smart city and Industry 4.0 projects across multiple verticals, including health, education, logistics and oil and gas.

Etisalat has remained committed to achieve its goals, reshaping the lives of its consumers, accelerating the economic growth of businesses and enhance the competitiveness of the countries where it operates, reiterated Dowidar.