Middle East Telecoms Supports Global USD 164 Billion Internet of Things Market by 2018

Real-Time Platform Supports 5G-Enabled Digital Transformation

BARCELONA, Spain – 23 February 2016 – Middle East telecoms’ adoption of 5G will support the global USD 164 billion Internet of Things market by 2018, one of the world’s leading technology companies announced today at Mobile World Congress.

The Internet of Things era will see 50 billion connected devices by 2030, with ultrafast gigabit-speed 5G mobile broadband transforming services, from driverless cars to virtual reality government.

Demonstrating the strong market opportunity, 34 percent of telecom revenue will come from new digital services. However, while 80 percent of telecoms said a real-time platform is a “top priority”, only 65 percent have implemented it, according to a recent SAP report.

“The Middle East’s digital transformation requires real-time insights by all stakeholders to enhance people’s daily lives and drive new sources of revenue. In the Middle East, 2016 is the tipping point for telecoms to adopt the real-time Big Data analytics that will form the foundation for digitization,” said Sherif Hamoudah, Head of Telco - Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, SAP.

At the SAP stand, five interactive showcases include the SAP Digital Boardroom on the S/4HANA real time business platform; the immersive Big Data GigaPixel Wall; the Digital Framing Experience using IoT technologies; the Digital Customer Experience; and a connected car with Samsung and SEAT.

Supporting young telecom talent, SAP is hosting a mobile app challenge with the European Space Agency, networking sessions with technology incubator RocketSpace, and an innovation jam on 5G.

SAP is driving global telecom innovation, with North American companies Rogers finding USD 100 million in savings, Cox Communications using Big Data to increase household product sales by 14 percent, and T-Mobile using social media to resolve 95 percent of issues.