C O M P A N Y O V E R V I E W
Mobily
Moves to Take Pole Position in Mobile and ICT Market Written by: Sheree Hanna Produced by: Kiron Chavda
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One of the Middle East’s biggest success stories continues to unfold as this telecommunications giant transforms itself into an allencompassing technology solutions provider
Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh was the prestigious venue for the launch of the MCPP
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s Mobily enters its tenth year of operating, Saudi Arabia’s second largest provider of mobile phone services has witnessed phenomenal growth which shows no sign of abating as it gears up to be a major player in ICT solutions and take over as market leader. This year the company has earmarked SAR5 billion for infrastructure investment which includes upgrading high-speed networks, information security and data services. This also features major ‘smart cities’ projects such as King Abdullah Economic City and Yanbu Industrial City, while taking advantage of the Saudi demographics, a population of 27 million and an average age of 22 that can’t get enough of its hi-tech services. It has also become the first in the Middle East and Africa to launch its own Cloud Partnership Program as it moves to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities to provide ICT solutions to businesses. This award-winning company, which has a list of firsts almost as long as its fibre cable network, has thrived on innovation and putting its customers first by meeting their demands with the very best solutions it can muster. It now serves in excess of 22 million subscribers and saw those figures increase fourfold over a six-year period between 2007 and 2013. From the moment of its conception, the company based in Riyadh, which employs 3,600 people, has enjoyed year-on-year growth,
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The company serves in excess of 22 million subscribers
boasts a SAR25.1billion ($6.7Bn) revenue for 2013 financial year and has stormed the market with an aggressive expansion policy. On a mission Today, it holds 40 percent of the market share and according to Taher AlDabbagh, Executive General Manager for Alliances and Partnership Development, will continue to strive to fulfil its vision. “We are expanding from our core telco
‘..the company has earmarked SAR5 billion for infrastructure investment which includes upgrading high-speed networks, information security and data services’ w w w. m o b i l y. c o m . s a
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SUPPLIER PROFILE
ALMAKTABAH
AlMaktaba is one of the pioneers in Saudi Market for office supplies, office automation, stationary, furniture, office design, and related office/school consumables. The company is making a major foray into the ICT industry by offering both hardware/software products and solutions from major ICT players such as CISCO, HP, Lenovo and telecom providers such as Mobily.
(SME) of Saudi Arabia.
The major ICT hardware side AlMaktaba offer includes PC, laptops, printer and servers on the hardware side following a multi-vendor approach.
Office furniture – chairs, tables, executivesuites; workstations, receptions; etc.
On the ICT solutions, AlMaktaba has partnered with Mobily to drive both telecom services and IT solutions such as reselling the datacenter managed services, active partner and collaborator with Mobily for Cloud solutions especially for the medium and small business segment
On the software solutions side the company is in talks with companies like Kronos of USA for Workforce Management Systems and Empathy of Japan to provide seamless Point of Sale (POS) solutions. We Offer A’amalee EZ access to all that is needed for:
Office Supplies – stationary, consumables and printing services CT Hardware – PC, Laptops, servers, printers, inks & toners ICT Solutions – Email App, Workforce Management System, Cloud solutions, Managed service
Website: www.almaktaba.com.sa
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Taher AlDabbagh
business into providing ICT solutions. Not every Telco does this, but we are doing so and we are doing it big time,” he said. “We are focusing on cloud services and today we are a strong provider of both public and private cloud. This is a big area and one that is relatively new for Saudi Arabia. “We have basically created the market around it by having the right alliances and vision to provide such services, which has required huge investments. We have taken a risk but now we are seeing it pay dividends as the market is adapting and learning.” In June, Mobily launched a Cloud Partnership Program aimed at encouraging local entrepreneurs to develop and market their own business application in collaboration with Mobily. The Mobily Cloud Partnership Program (MCPP)
“We are focusing on cloud services and today we are a strong provider of both public and private cloud. This is a big area and one that is relatively new for Saudi Arabia” – Taher AlDabbagh, Executive General Manager for Alliances and Partnership Development
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BUSINESSINNOVATION Innovating the Business
INNOVATING THE BUSINESS Business Innovation is a limited liability corporation headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Our core services encompass Mobility and cloud offerings, Business and systems Integration Covering; ERP/ GRP, SIS, CRM, BI, Web Technologies, ECM, IT Strategy, Operations and Maintenance Services; all supported by best of breed resources with best international work standards experiences and ethics.
www.bi-ict.com
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BUSINESS INNOVATION BUSINESSINNOVATION Innovating the Business
Business Innovation is a limited liability corporation headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Our core services encompass Mobility and cloud offerings , Business and systems Integration Covering; ERP/GRP, SIS, CRM, BI, Web Technologies, ECM, IT Strategy, Operations and Maintenance Services; all supported by best of breed resources with best international work standards experiences and ethics, in addition to a solid Project Management Methodology called Business Innovation First Methodology (BIFM), that is amalgamation of best practices and our vast and long local and global experience in program and project management. More importantly, our selective partners which are top tier service providers, allow us to have the perfect fit solutions for our clients. Through our resources, methodologies, partners and local knowledge and know how, we deliver state of the art solutions that meet our client’s business needs. With genuinely local and global experience of our partners and our local leadership we believe that we can draw on best practice, the best talent and deliver the most cost effective service to our clients. Our Values •
Innovation in all aspects
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Discipline as way of life
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Developing the society
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Quality
Website: www.bi-ict.com
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M O B I LY will act as a framework for collaboration between Mobily and its partners offering a wide range of benefits, training, certification and rewards. It will give partners the opportunity to provide trusted and certified cloud computing services and to be associated with the Mobily commercial brand thus strengthening their position in the Saudi Market. The program is already attracting many leading solution providers and at the launch Mobily had already signed up 14 partners. It is also a timely move by the company given that research by Gartner shows 60 percent of banks worldwide will process the majority of their transactions in the cloud by 2016 and by 2017, 40 percent of utilities with smart metering will use cloud-based big data. To support the MCPP Program Mobily also launched the first Cloud and software as a service Market Place platform in the region to open up its portfolio of Cloud, Networking and Mobility Services. It will allow its new ecosystem partners to develop and deliver their own customised applications and solutions with differentiated value to each customer segment. Participating Partners will have access through this new platform to gain visibility into certain Mobily systems, processes and tools and innovate with Mobily to deliver customised,
60% Percentage of banks worldwide processing transactions using cloud by 2016
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Mobily and Cisco Sign Joint Marketing and Sales Agreement
“Tier 4 is a very special to achieve and to be the first outside the USA to have IBM’s specific configuration is another major milestone for us” – Taher AlDabbagh
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finished solutions to business customers. One such key partner is the Intel Corporation with whom it signed an agreement in February at the Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona. Mobily has become the first major cloud services provider in the Middle East and Turkey to be powered by Intel cloud technology. The global processors manufacturer has listed the company on its official internet site as a certified, secure and highly qualified provider of cloud computing services and placed it within an elite group of major international companies providing this service.
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Certified Data Centres Mobily is also working with other major international IT companies such as SAP, Oracle, IBM, Virtustream, Cisco and Microsoft and has spent hundreds of millions of riyal in building new data centres across Saudi Arabia to transform its ICT dream into a reality. The data centres now number 38 covering 65,000 square metres with a total operating capacity of 162,500 kW. A further 18 are planned over the next three to five years. One of the data centres, the Melgha 2 in Riyadh, has scored a first on two counts. It has been classified and obtained a fourth degree or Tier IV by the UPTIME institute, one of the top global institutions specialised in the evaluation of data
38 The current number of operational data centres
The opening press conference for the Mobily Data Center
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SBM SAUDI BUSINESS MACHINES We provide our customers with the efficient solution by levering our offering of public cloud, private cloud or a Hybrid cloud. Our cloud services range include business-driven service level agreements that can cover both the IT and delivery to your end-user over our first class global network. Since our inception, Saudi Business machines have strived to provide best of breed computing technology to Saudi Arabian commercial and public sector. SBM has delivered positive returns on investments for our clients since 1947 and we are more focused than ever to provide the most customer centric, innovative and high quality services. We continually seek to lower our customer’s operational costs while provident highest level of availability, reliability and security. Our cloud computing infrastructure coupled with virtualization, migration and support provides you with an unbeatable and unique quality of service kingdom. SBM’s cloud offering free you from making complex IT decisions and staggering recurring cost structures and allow you to focus on your business success. The key to any successful implementation is making an early start. We at SBM ensure our client’s involvement in strategy phase and assist our public and commercial customers in developing the smartest and most cost effective cloud strategies as well as building virtualization and automation solutions.
Through software, hardware and managed service solutions, we at SBM are dedicated to automate and bring to our customers’ businesses to a new dawn of 21st-century productivity through our vast offerings and range of cloud services. Here at SBM our customers are the center of our business and their trust and confidence is our passion. Our expertise is unrivaled and gives our customers the advantage of having over 1000 skilled and minds working collectively to solve all their technology needs. Our bespoke service offering provides you with the 24x7 peace of mind and lets you focus on your business’s success. From being the first company to gain ISO9002 certification, to becoming the most sought after holistic technology resource; we have defined the highest standards of quality and efficiency for our clients and we seek to carry our proud traditions further and provide world class cloud infrastructure and services tailored for your every technology need. Website: www.sbm.sa
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Forging strong
40%
partnerships
centres in the world. It also operates the largest Security Operations Management centre in the world outside the USA to serve the business sector in accordance with IBM global standards. AlDabbagh said: “Tier 4 is a very special achievement and to be the first outside the USA to have IBM’s specific configuration is another major milestone for us.� Forging strong partnerships with both the international players and local providers has Mobily perfectly placed to take advantage of the many opportunities in the market.
The market share that Mobily occupies in telecoms industry
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Saudi Arabia | Egypt | Lebanon | Jordan
In this information age where complex issues and challenges of integrating and managing various new and legacy products and customized applications is a key pain point; there is never a better reason to team-up with BTC Networks to ensure that all your requirements are met. Integrated Smart Solutions Turnkey Telecom Service Packages Low Current Solutions Converged Network Solutions & Applications Wireless Solutions Systems Engineering Network Design & Planning Project Management Operations & Maintenance Distribution Channels Tel. +966 2 6918787 | Fax +966 2 6918525 | E-mail info@btc.com.sa
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BTC NETWORKS
Baud Telecom Company, widely known as “BTC Networks� is a recognized leader in providing technology solutions within Saudi Arabia’s market and Middle East. BTC Networks headquartered in Jeddah since its establishment in 1975 and expanded across the region with branches in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
networking and e-business solutions. The company is constantly evolving and is now positioned as trusted System Integrator in the Kingdom as well as to the region. BTC has always been abreast of latest technology innovations, its sales, engineers, and technicians are continually trained and maintain professional certifications With its leadership in providing innovative solutions BTC Networks from industry leaders. is delivering communication and Our service portfolio ranges from information technologies, smart Smart Integrated Solutions to solutions, telecom infrastructure Turnkey Telecom Projects. Today, and system integration services. BTC is considered among its A combination of activities customers and partners as one involving residential, enterprise, of the leading telecom solution corporate and government providers for its commitment, customers has been addressed planning, resources, meeting across different departments deadlines and skilled personals. with highly talented team. BTC has been awarded ISO 90012008 certification for its reputation BTC has adopted the transition for integrity, quality of service, from voice applications into the and excellence in management. futuristic world of converged communications, IP Solutions,
Website: www.btc.com.sa
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Pairing priorities “We strive to move up in the value chain of what we are offering,” explained AlDabbagh. “We do partnerships with companies such as WhatsApp and provide packages for the consumer. “We are delivering Firewall and security packages with IBM to the corporate customers and at every step of the way we are looking at what the core offering is to make sure it is meeting the right needs and at the right price. “We then look to further develop that by considering what else the customer might need, so we look to strike a partnership with a company that can add value and synergy with what we are imparting as a telco to ensure we are providing a comprehensive package to our customers.”
Mobily offers comprehensive packages to customers
“On the retail front, it owns or franchises more than 300 outlets and has somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 resellers” – Taher AlDabbagh
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Saudi Arabia +966 1 2739246 www.oracle.com/me/index.html
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ORACLE More than two-thirds of companies rank innovation as the No. 1 factor in competitiveness. And yet, the biggest chunk of IT spending goes toward keeping the lights on. Mobile, social, and cloud are redefining how business gets done. Immediate access to the latest technologies is essential for you to innovate and thrive. Oracle has invested nearly 7 years and billions of dollars in engineering and strategic acquisitions to provide you with the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of enterprise-grade cloud services. Oracle delivers a full suite of enterprise applications as subscription based software-asa-service, so customers can avoid the data and business process fragmentation that results from using multiple, siloed clouds. No other vendor offers the breadth of application functionality across human capital management, talent management, sales and marketing, customer experience, and enterprise resource planning. Social networks have dramatically changed the way people interact, play, and shop online. They are also changing the way people work,
transforming how employees interact with each other, customers, and partners. Oracle Cloud application services are enriched with modern social capabilities, including social marketing, social engagement and monitoring, and social networking for purposeful collaboration. Oracle Cloud also provides embedded business intelligence and ubiquitous access through mobile devices such as the iPad and iPhone. It also offers developers a simpler way to develop and deploy cross-device mobile applications. With multiple deployment options, customers can choose to use Oracle Cloud services at Oracle data centers or built their own private Cloud using Oracle Cloud solutions. Which give the customers the flexibility to decide where to deploy their Cloud services. With the most enterprise-grade applications, the most complete platform, and the most modern socially enabled technology and applications, Oracle is the comprehensive cloud provider your company needs. Find out how Oracle can tailor cloud computing to the way you need to do business today. Website: www.oracle.com/us/ corporate/story/index.html
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Mobily’s corporate business is divided between government entities and large enterprises. It currently provides services to a number of Saudi government departments including the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Interior. It has also secured business with many of Saudi’s leading banks and financial institutions such as the Saudi Commercial National Bank and big corporates such as the Saudi Aramco, the nation’s national petroleum and natural gas company, and diversified manufacturing company SABIC. But just how did it all start for this forwardthinking telco? Mobily was first established in 2004 by Etisalat, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) based telecom conglomerate, and is the official brand name of Etihad Etisalat. Licensed to thrill It officially launched on May 25, 2005 after being awarded a 25-year telecommunication mobile license complemented by the purchase of a 3G license. The telco then quickly became the first Saudi company to get an operation licence for third generation services (3G), 4G and LTE services, and beyond. “I was lucky enough to be part of the team who started out in those early days,” said AlDabbagh. “We knew that the market wanted agility and the customer wanted a good experience so we focused on delivering that at all the touch points, be it the retail outlets, the distribution
“we look to strike a partnership with a company that can add value and synergy with what we are imparting as a telco to ensure we are providing a comprehensive package to our customers” – Taher AlDabbagh
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centre or be it the partner or in customer care. “We came with a very strong customer-centric approach and in a very short space of time had sold one million lines and quickly tapped the market to reach our 40 percent share.� Delivering first class customer experience is a huge priority and Mobily takes a fourpronged approach to ensure they get it right, the main elements of which are: empowerment, communication, personalisation and making sure the customers get a wow factor. Acquisition made In March 2008, Mobily was granted approval by the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) to acquire Bayanat al-Oula, a licensed Data Service
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Mobily products
EDARAT GROUP
Industry: Technology Consultants Services: System Design and Integration, Project Management, Testing and Commissioning, Maintenance and Support in Data center facility Management: Mr. Erick Baduy Tel: +966 11 205 78 37 / +966 11 205 78 38 Fax: +966 11 205 78 07 Email: info@edaratgroup.com Website: www.edaratgroup.com
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Khalid Omar Al Kaf, Mobily CEO and Managing Director
Provider for a price of SAR1.5 billion. Then in November 2008 it also acquired absolute majority stakes in Zajil, the leading Saudi IPS (Internet Service Provider). Mobily also owns a vast majority share in the Saudi National Fibre Network (SNFN) composed of 12,800km of structured fibre cable, panned into seven fully protected rings covering 35 Saudi cities. It also has access to 60 major hub sites for telecommunications prime points of presence, and complimented with 20 intermetropolis fibre loops in major Saudi cities. On the retail front, it owns or franchises more than 300 outlets and has somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 resellers. Customers are provided with roaming
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SAP
SAP Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is recognized as one of the fastest growing markets for SAP globally and is a key investment area for the company. Since established in late 2007 SAP MENA expanded operations and now has 10 offices across the region. Today, the company has more than 1100+ customers and continues to build capacity across the eco system with more than 1400+ qualified SAP consultants and 146 business partners to support the MENA market in 16 countries across the region. Website: www.sap.com
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services on all continents where there is a GSM operator through 420 interconnections and agreements, as well as allowing customers to call anyone on the face of the earth. Scoring firsts Launched in May 2007, Mobily is one of the few operators in the globe which offers an unlimited mobile broadband data bundle. “We provide a vast range of mobile and data services and that provide different offerings, different value propositions, different segmentations for brands to meet the needs of our growing customer numbers,� said AlDabbagh. Innovation is Mobily’s middle name and consequently it has delivered a plethora of technologies which have
Mobily also owns a majority share in the Saudi National Fibre Network (SNFN)
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First Gulf Company for Supplies & Contracting Ltd is a Saudi Company, occupying a distinct position with a unique portfolio of specialized projects in both public and private sectors. FGC Portfolio • Turnkey Communication systems and solutions • TV/RADIO Broadcast systems • Microwave/Wireless transmission Engineering and services • Satellite Uplink and TVRO Data center Solutions
• • • • •
Security Systems , Equipment and Solutions Information Technology , E-business Consultation and Professional services Operations and Managed services Digital Archiving Total Solutions Transmission – Inside/outside Plant services
www.fgcltd.com P.O.Box 25560, Riyadh 11476, Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 1 219 0888 Fax: +966 1 219 1888 info@fgcltd.com
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scored a myriad of firsts for the kingdom. Here are a few examples: Mobily was the first company in the world to launch an iBG Star, which measures blood sugar through an Apple Store application; it devised a new method to connect subscribers’ IDs in Twitter with the customer service system CRM. Mobily launched the innovative I-Statement service eradicating the need for paper-billing; the company provided High-Speed connectivity via fibre optics to eight Saudi universities in different regions and it created a new channel to serve customers through SMS, raising the level of customer satisfaction and experience.
Mobily was the first company in the world to launch an iBG Star, which measures blood
Inspirational leader The list goes on, but suffice to say Mobily is not
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sugar through an Apple Store application
FIRST GULF COMPANY
FGC is a Saudi Company operating in both Broadcast Solutions & Projects, and General Contracting Maintaining high-quality workmanship, FGC has set new standards for the industry, building landmark structures and delivering major industrial turn-key projects. Acting with uncompromising integrity and professionalism, FGC employs a team of well qualified engineers and technicians who have rich exposure in their respective fields in big projects execution. Website: www.fgcltd.com
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a company that rests on its laurels. Its success over the past nine years has been down to a clear and distinct strategy which has been delivered not only by those at the very top of the company but by all its committed and loyal employees. AlDabbagh said: “I think in general the success of any organisation is first of all having the right vision and the right leader. Definitely our Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Khalid Omar Al Kaf, is a distinguished character who has won hundreds of different prizes in the Telco market. “We select talented and committed people and motivate them by providing them with the opportunity to grow and develop their own talents. Having everyone wanting to make a difference is one of the key contributors to our success.”
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ANISE ARABIA
Industry: IT Services Services: Airport Services • Digital Signage • Digital Signature Cloud Computing • Big Data CRM • Loyalty Program Mobile Learning • Fleet Management Management: Eng. Husam Alshawi Tel: + 966 920000402 / + 966 (11) 4024999 Fax: + 966 (11) 4034999 Email: info@anisearabia.com Website: www.anisearabia.com
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Providing defined qualified business solutions ICT Systems was established as system integrator, turnkey strategic business and IT solutions provider. We are engaged in many fields such as ERP, Business Continuity, e-Government, e-Learning, Networking, Security Solutions. Successfully in 2014 Mobily and ICT established a partnership model where we signed an agreement to work together in E-School profile over the cloud infrastructure, where we have earned solid reputation for effective and cost efficient solutions. This business requires extensive knowledge of regulations, standards, and technologies that influence this business. www.ictsystems.com.sa
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Khalid Omar Al Kaf is a computer science graduate who studied at both Boston University and George Washington University in the US, and became the chief executive in July 2005 just over a year after he started with the company as a project manager. He started his professional career in 1986 with Etisalat (Emirates Telecommunications Corporation) working closely with Alcatel and Fujitsu on software development. He has played a definitive role in building the state-of-the-art, 3G mobile network in UAE and is now focused on moving the company forward in line with its ICT aspirations. Talent spotting Mobily offers a wide range of training programmes to nurture its talent including its Brighter Future scheme which allows individuals to study for MBAs while they are working, facilitating time for studies and exams while contributing 50 percent of the costs. Further investments are made in executives who are encouraged to engage with courses in schools and universities across the globe. AlDabbagh explained that his own opportunities included attending courses at the London School of Business and both Harvard and Stanford universities in the USA. There are also specific programmes aimed at graduates such as the new Mobily Elite scheme which aims to attract 50 of the brightest young
50% Mobily allows individuals to study for MBA’s while they work, contributing 50 percent of the costs
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Khalid Omar Al Kaf, Mobily’s CEO, discusses the company’s core values
“What once seemed remarkable is now routine, yet I believe we are only at the early stages of a transformation that will eclipse everything we have seen so far” – Khalid Omar Al Kaf, CEO and Managing Director 40
August 2014
Saudi talents to work within the company. The programme aims to draw national young talents with outstanding capabilities through competency-based selection methods. Furthermore there is encouragement for every single employee to come up with ideas which if successful, are once a year rewarded by having their winning idea implemented. Caring nature The company is also committed to making the right impact with wider stakeholders such as the community it serves and
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the environment it operates in. It pays particular attention to education and healthcare and has implemented a wide-range of initiatives and programmes aimed at giving back to the community. Ongoing programmes include a project to teach Saudi females smartphone programming and maintenance, which was launched in cooperation with the National Institute for Women’s Training and aims to train 1,000 women over the next three years. There is continued support for the Disabled Children Association in Riyadh which included the first exhibition of inventions serving people with special needs. It has also offered financial support for the Zamzam society by contributing the medical and healthcare costs of more than 820 people. In the company’s 2013 annual report, Managing Director Khalid Omar Al Kaf summed up what he believes will be the future for Mobily. He said: “The pace of change is relentless. What once seemed remarkable is now routine, yet I believe we are only at the early stages of a transformation that will eclipse everything we have seen so far. “From merely providing mobile telecom services, at one time the ultimate in new technology, the future of our industry now lies in cloud computing, information security, IT solutions, and a new wave of high-speed data networks. And as always, Mobily is leading the way.”
Company Information INDUSTRY
Telecommunications and ICT solutions HEADQUARTERS
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia FOUNDED
2005 EMPLOYEES
3,600 REVENUE
SAR25.1billion PRODUCTS/ SERVICES
Mobile phone services, telecommunications, ICT Solutions, information security, high-speed netowrks
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MOBILY Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Tel. + 966 56 010 1100 www.mobily.com.sa