Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 18 | Page 12

NEWS Ooredoo signs with Halliburton to extend operations in Oman Ooredoo has signed an agreement with energy industry service provider Halliburton to reinforce the company’s communications and connectivity as it extends its operations in Oman’s oil fields. To meet the challenge of keeping Halliburton’s operatives connected and in touch 24/7, both on-site and as they move between remote locations, Ooredoo will employ its cutting-edge auto-tracking VSAT technology. Expressing his pleasure at augmenting Ooredoo’s long-standing relationship with Halliburton, Business Product Management Director Monther Al Mamari said: “Ooredoo takes great pride in being a total telecommunications services provider, meeting the fast-evolving needs of industry and enterprises of all sizes with innovative and bespoke solutions such as our auto-tracking VSAT technology. Indeed, we look forward to continuing to providing the best network experience and support their many activities and smooth running of their organisations, as we carry on diversifying and expanding our portfolio of market leading business products and services”. Joy Antony, Halliburton Regional IT Manager for Eastern Gulf and Northern Gulf added: “The new technology of Ooredoo improves our business operations by providing their reliable and fully managed services on both terrestrial and VSAT connectivity”. Ooredoo has been providing Halliburton with state-of-the- art connectivity solutions since 2010, including point-to-point and leased line links, voice PRI and customised mobile technology. And meeting the company’s growing telecommunications needs and demand for higher capacity, Ooredoo has connected Halliburton’s Adam base with a ten-kilometre fibre link from its core network. ¡ The 1st Edition of the Smart City Summit, Oman The 1st Edition of the Smart City Summit Oman was inaugurated by H.E. Alfadhel Mohamed Al Harthy, Secretary General to the Cabinet at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre on 28th March. The Summit received overwhelming attendance from visiting delegates from Dubai, Qatar, Korea, Saudi Arabia, UK, Belgium, Singapore & India spanning varied economic sectors like IT & Technology, Telecom, Infrastructure, Real Estate & Manufacturing. The Smart City Summit Oman was hosted under the strategic partnership of the Information Technology Authority (ITA), Oman Broadband and Omran, with the Smart Cities Council as supporting partner and FTTH Council MENA as Association Partner. The Summit is also backed by key stakeholders in the ICT industry including Ooredoo 12 INTELLIGENTCIO as Diamond Sponsor ; Oman Fiber Optic & Omantel as Gold Sponsors ; MHD LLC as Silver Sponsor ; and Tawasol, Integrated Smart Technologies, Spectral Link Business Solutions LLC & Al Jassar Telecom as Associated Exhibitors. the invited delegates and speakers. We are building the block for future growth that creates new trends to advance the economy and create new business opportunities”. ¡ Commenting on the Summit proceedings, Mr. Tarek Ali, General Manager, OITE Trade Fairs said “The Smart City Summit Oman intends to complement the efforts and initiatives the country has launched many years ago for the establishment of modern telecommunication and internet infrastructure. Now, it is time to advance into new concepts that are feasible economically and introduce new horizons for public and economic services. With the plethora of such speakers, we are providing a collective networking and learning experience of the highest level, given www.intelligentcio.com