Qtel Chairman Challenges Communities to address digital demands

In his lecture, "Technology and the Digital Generation" at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani described social media's impact on Arab youth and discussed how companies, institutions and governments can work together to encourage the aspirations of the next generation.

Tens of millions of people of the so-called "Arab Digital Generation" own a computer, laptop or smartphone, access the Internet several times a day, and have at least one social network account.On Facebook, 70% of Arab users are between 15-29 years old ; on Twitter, there are 1.3 million users in the Arab world, and Arabic is the social network's fastest-growing language.

The MENA region has been especially impacted by social media because of a large youth population, a fast-growing number of Internet users, and a rapid growth in the technology infrastructure, especially mobile and mobile broadband.Nearly three-quarters of the Arab Digital Generation spend more than three hours on the Internet daily, accessing a wide range of services including audio and video content, non-voice communication like video chatting, and games and e-books, according to data shown in the presentation.

H.E. Sheikh Abdullah said: "Through communications and technology, the Arab Digital Generation will help shape the future of industries and society, capturing economic and social value to ensure the growth and stability of the region as a whole. The Arab Digital Generation is as connected and as collaborative as the youth in the Western world, and I expect there to be more exchange of ideas between the two groups."

"While the Arab Digital Generation will work to bring change and development in our societies, I believe they will do so while keeping our rich traditions and values intact," he added.

Mobile technology has helped Arab youth feel empowered, with social media playing a pivotal role in the Arab Spring. In turn, many governments have also used social media to promote their agendas to people. Social media is also acting as an agent for social change, and provides new opportunities for education, healthcare and businesses.

Speaking from his personal experience of starting his own Twitter account, H.E. Sheikh Abdullah said: "For companies, the opportunity to have direct contact with customers is both challenging and liberating. My conversations through social media have shaped my whole opinion about what customers want from communications companies, and what we need to do to improve our services."

"Business leaders, citizens, students, governments, institutions - we need to rise to the occasion and use our influence to inspire, engage, and create opportunities for the next generation. There is need for clear policy leadership. Governments must play a critical role in convening the private sector, public institutions, civil society and individual citizens to outline a vision for a connected nation," he concluded.

As a leading international communications company with deep roots in the Arab world, Qtel Groupoffers a variety of life-enhancing mobile services, including Mobile Money in Qatar, Mobile Health in Kuwait, Iraq and Palestine,Mobile Learning in Tunisia andmWomen initiatives in Iraq and Indonesia

Qtel-Qatar also enables small- and medium-sized businesses to grow their ICT infrastructure, as these businesses will form the backbone of the country's knowledge-based economy.