Moderator : Vincent Garnier – FTTH Council Europe
Speakers :
- Francesco Rotunno – Open Fiber
- Nathalie Nassar – SETICS
- Jean-Jacques Sage – Aginode
- Katia Safonova – Corning
- Hiroshi OTA - ITU
- Eric Festraets - Nokia, Fixed Networks

Europe is one of the most ambitious continent when it comes to sustainability and transition to a low carbon society. The Fibre industry is not an exception and this workshop will share several examples of how sustainability goals are directly impacting the business of European FTTH stakeholders. The session will be interactive , with the objective to exchange with MENA professional to identify differences and similarities between regions.

Speakers:
Paul Weintraub, Vice President of Fiber Deployment at Watch Hill Wireless Solutions.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) depends on efficient, scalable, and intelligent network infrastructure. This seminar examines two key themes: the vital role of carriers (telcos, ISPs, etc.) in providing the connectivity and computing power needed for AI-driven ecosystems and the transformative potential of AI technologies to optimize network design, deployment, and management.

Speakers:
Dr. Alaa J. Mousa, President - Fiber Connect Council MENA
Mr. Ahmed Al-Hasani, Member of the Board of Commissioners, CMC, Iraq
Bocar A. BA, CEO - SAMENA Telecommunications Council
Hiroshi Ota, Advisor - ITU-T Study Group 15
Dr. Suleiman Alhedaithy, Managing Director - MEFC
Faisal Ameer Malik, CTO - Huawei Enterprise Business ME&CA Region

Moderator:
Kholoud Aldorgham, Director General of, Fiber Connect Council MENA

Speakers:
Mr. Saif bin Ghelaita, Director of Technology Development Affairs , TDRA, UAE
Mr. Ahmed Al-Hasani, Member of the Board of Commissioners, CMC, Iraq

This session will explore the crucial role of policy and regulatory frameworks in shaping the development of AI infrastructure across the MENA region. As AI continues to transform industries and economies, regulatory bodies must balance innovation with security, data protection, and ethical concerns. The discussion will focus on how governments and policymakers can create supportive environments for AI while ensuring compliance with national laws and global standards.

Moderator:
Johann, Partner at Analysys Mason

Speaker:
Mahmoud Al Ghazali, Sales Manager Data Center, Corning Optical Communications
Pavel Sirotinkin, Executive Network Expert ME&CA Region, Huawei
Eric Festraets, Strategic Marketing Director, Nokia, Fixed Networks

Discussion on the importance of robust fiber networks for AI advancements and the challenges faced by carriers in building scalable, efficient AI-ready infrastructure.

Moderator:
Kholoud Aldorgham, Director General of, Fiber Connect Council MENA

Speakers:
Dr. Alaa J. Mousa CEO, Earthlink
Eng. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Wahaibi, CEO, Oman Broadband

A forward-looking keynote on how carriers can stay competitive as AI technologies continue to evolve.

Moderator:
Paul Weintraub, Vice President of Fiber Deployment at Watch Hill Wireless Solutions

Speaker:
Kamel Tawil, Managing Director, Equinix
Chadi ElHajj, VP of Network Automation & AI, e&

Can or will AI help redesign FTTX or Mobile Networks?
How AI is transforming network operations, enhancing automation, and optimizing carrier services.

Networking lunch followed by a visit to exhibition stands showcasing the latest innovations in fiber and carrier technology.

Speakers:
Mohammed Al Maktoumi

Moderator:
Sameer Salam, Senior Business Manager – EMEA, UL Solutions

Speakers:
Vincent Garnier, Director General, FTTH Council Europe
Mohammed Najm, CPO, Earthlink
Shahid Iqbal, CTO - Optical Product Line ME&CA Region, Huawei
Puneet Dubey, Partner Strategy & Consulting, EMEA

This session provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and 5G networks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This session highlights the key drivers, challenges, and opportunities in accelerating digital transformation through advanced connectivity solutions. It explores the symbiotic relationship between FTTH and 5G, emphasizing how robust fiber infrastructure underpins the deployment of high-speed 5G networks.

Moderator:
Kholoud Aldorgham, Director General of, Fiber Connect Council MENA

Speakers:
Colin Kirkpatrick, Solutions Director, Emtelle

This session will explore the increasing importance of sustainability in FTTx deployments. As data-driven technologies expand, so does their environmental impact, particularly in terms of energy consumption and resource use. The discussion will focus on how the fiber and telecom industries, can adopt greener practices, reduce carbon footprints, and promote responsible innovation.

Moderator:
Sameer Salam, Senior Business Manager – EMEA, UL Solutions

Speakers:
Katia Safonova, Market Development Manager EMEA, Corning Optical Communications
Shahid Iqbal, CTO - Optical Product Line ME&CA Region
Colin Kirkpatrick, Solutions Director, Emtelle

Speaker: Dr. Ala’a President of Fiber Connect Council MENA
Final thoughts and a call to action for the fiber and telecom industries.

Networking lunch followed by a visit to exhibition stands showcasing the latest innovations in fiber and carrier technology.