Young boys surf the internet at The Warrior internet in Abu Dhabi.
Young boys surf the internet at The Warrior internet in Abu Dhabi.

Fibre optics group calls for controls



Telecommunications regulators should enforce minimum requirements for the speed and quality of fibre-optic broadband internet systems, a new regional industry body says. Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) internet systems, which can offer download speeds up to 500 times faster than the regional average, are being offered by telecoms companies and property developers. If introduced properly, they can provide practically unlimited bandwidth to homes and businesses, allowing for simultaneous delivery of services such as high-definition television, internet telephone, games and ultra-fast internet.

But not enough was being done to ensure the systems would be able to take full advantage of new technology, said Faris Awartani, the chairman of the Middle East group of the FTTH Council, an international industry body. "Service levels and quality are the key issues here," Mr Awartani said after the inaugural meeting of the group in Bahrain this week. "What we want to do is to work with regulators to encourage the right direction for this technology."

State-owned telecoms companies such as Etisalat and Saudi Telecom are behind much of the introduction of fibre-optic cable across the GCC. But Mr Awartani said property developers, which often build communications networks within new developments, and regulators, which are leaning towards liberalisation, were equally important in the process. "Developers are not particularly concerned about technicalities; they are interested in selling units," he said. "So we need to make the developers understand that this will help them sell units, because there is a high public awareness about these services."

While telecoms companies were strongly committed to the FTTH systems, Mr Awartani said his group would look to help them learn from industry experience in Europe and North America, where the FTTH Council was well represented. "Telcos don't need convincing about this," he said. "But what we have is information about experiences worldwide, engineering and standards. This is an area where we can really help them."

Membership of the regional group consists mainly of businesses that provide services to telecoms operators. Mr Awartani's company, Moseco, works on infrastructure projects for regional operators such as Kuwait's Zain. The two UAE telecoms operators attended the day of workshops that accompanied the new group's launch on Sunday. "They are very keen and interested, very focused on getting the right information and getting work done together," said Joeri Van Boegart, the president of the European FTTH Council, which is the parent of the Middle East group.

Mr Van Boegart, who visited Dubai last year in part to build interest in the Middle East group, said fibre-optic internet rollouts were ideal for the economic stimulus plans being considered by governments around the world. "It really is one of the fastest ways to turn stimulus money into real impact - economic and social change," he said. "The benefits are felt straight away in so many industries, from education to retailing, entertainment, so many places. This isn't just another kind of copper wire, it is a whole new generation."

tgara@thenational.ae

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Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

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The%20specs
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

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