Zain KSA has been awarded the Best Middle East Operator of the Year accolade for 2019 by respected regional telecom publication CommsMEA. This award marks a significant period for Zain KSA given its recent launch of the largest 5G network in the Middle East, Europe and Africa and the third largest globally. Announcing the award, the five-team independent judging panel of CommsMEA said "the Zain Saudi operation has witnessed an unprecedented recent growth in all facets of its business and its 5G roll-out services across the Kingdom made history and placed Saudi Arabia on the global 5G telecom map." The judging panel further said "Zain KSA's business operations were impressive in every respect, from innovation in offering comprehensive mobile broadband solutions, to customer centricity and operational efficiency. We are confident the operator's digital strategy will be boosted further with the launch of its state-of-the-art 5G network." "Zain KSA's wide-ranging educational, health and cultural programs, together with its Gender Diversity initiatives that saw two Saudi women nationals promoted to senior roles are indicative of a company acting with sound sustainability values," the judging panel also noted. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Chief Technology Officer of Zain KSA, said "on behalf of all my colleagues who have helped build Zain KSA over the past 11 years, I would like to express my appreciation of being recognized in this way. Our team's dedication, innovation and focus on customer service, with the support of Zain Group, were key factors to us winning this award." AlMufadda added that "Zain KSA is committed to playing a key role in the Kingdom's ICT sector and offering life empowering telecommunications services. We thank the Kingdom's authorities at all levels of the government for creating a conducive climate for telecom operators to thrive. As such, the attractiveness of the Kingdom's economy is increased, contributing to its ongoing prosperity in line with Vision 2030." 2019 has been a milestone year for Zain KSA, with the operator recording positive net income for the last five consecutive quarters. The first 9 months of 2019 saw Zain KSA generate revenues of SR6.16 billion, up 12% year-on-year, with net income soaring to SR380 million, reflecting a significant improvement on the net loss of SR67 million a year earlier, highlighting an improvement of circa SR447 million. Other recent milestones include the June inauguration and empowering of Neom Bay Airport with 5G network, and Zain KSA showcasing 5G use cases during the unveiling ceremony of the Kingdom's new "Welcome the Word" tourist visa in collaboration with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. In October, Zain KSA launched the first phase of its 5G network coverage in 20 cities across the Kingdom, enabled by 2,000 towers. More recently last week Zain's announcement coverage has been expanded to include 27 cities and by the end of year, and it will continue to improve its coverage in 27 cities through 2,600 towers. CommsMEA is a well-regarded online and print telecom publication with circulation across the Middle East and Africa, and its annual awards ceremony identifies some of the best performing telecom companies and individuals from within the region over the past 12 months. The gala event was held in Dubai and attended by regional and international industry participants. — SG
