AI can enhance network efficiency by over 40%, as revealed by a recent survey involving telecom and IT engineers. A study from Ciena indicates that this improvement stems from AI's ability to analyze and forecast traffic patterns in real-time, allowing networks to allocate bandwidth dynamically where it is most needed and prevent congestion before it happens. AI-driven traffic and network analysis software, chosen as a top strategy by 49% of global respondents and 52% in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, is crucial in this regard.
"By utilizing machine learning algorithms, these tools can predict high-traffic periods and adjust network parameters in real-time to ensure uninterrupted data flow. Moreover, AI's predictive maintenance features mean potential problems can be spotted and fixed before they affect network performance, thereby maintaining high reliability and user satisfaction," explained Pete Hall, the regional managing director for Ciena. Expanding the subsea cable network in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE and KSA, involves substantial investments essential for supporting global connectivity and the burgeoning digital economy, according to Hall.
"There is a sense of optimism and strategic planning around these initiatives, with Saudi Arabia committing over $9 billion to its technology sector to support its digital transformation as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. These investments also cover connectivity infrastructure like subsea cables to handle the anticipated rise in AI traffic," he added. Ciena's study identified key sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, and education in the Middle East as major contributors to AI traffic, prompting communication service providers (CSPs) to expand subsea cable networks for high-speed data transmission across continents.
Overall, Ciena's research underscores the critical role of the cloud in supporting and leveraging AI across networks. In the Middle East, 40% of survey respondents anticipate that telcos will utilize a combination of private and public cloud providers to offer AI services to their customers. Various factors like data sensitivity, scalability, and availability may influence the choice between private or public cloud, but a hybrid approach is favored in the region. Ciena's research also showed that about 95% of respondents in the Middle East are confident in their ability to monetize AI.
"Specifically, the research pointed out that CSPs in the Middle East are more inclined to use AI to open their networks to third-party integrations, develop new product offerings, and differentiate on service quality for connectivity. These strategies have the potential to boost revenues," Hall concluded.
