Digital Broadcast power list: 18-17

Content creators, advertising chiefs and internet pioneers take their place alongside broadcast technology innovators in the inaugural Digital Broadcast power list. The initial inductees will appear on these pages during the coming weeks.

The list is based on the opinions of our distinguished editorial team and is entirely subjective.
While we believe this is THE definitive list of regional industry powerbrokers, undoubtedly there will be those with different opinions. If you are one of these readers, we invite you to leave your feedback at the bottom of the page.

18. Mohammed Al Shahi
Senior director, du Broadcast Services

Du Broadcast Services has played an integral role in a number of initiatives in Dubai, acting as an enabler for the emirate’s broadcast industry.

The organisation has played a key role in the development of the Gulf’s first DVB-H offering from the development and execution of the original pilot study to the impending deployment of the network.

The

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headend for the UAE’s DVB-H services – which will be offered by both the country’s operators – will be based at du Broadcast Services’ Samacom teleport facility, which was recently named one of the world’s highest-grossing independent teleports by industry body, the World Teleport Association (WTA).

Al Shahi has also overseen the implementation of Samacom’s upgrade to HD, which pre-empted the development of HD services by several of its clients, ensuring the necessary infrastructure in place in good time.

17. Mohamed Al Ghanim
Director general, UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

The role of telcos in media and broadcasting has been growing as the technical and commercial commitment involved in each have become increasingly intertwined.

Ultimately, however, it is the regulatory bodies that guide this process acting as convergence ‘referees’. As the official with responsibility for the region’s most active arenas for telco/media convergence, Mohamed Al Ghanim, director general of the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) takes the number 17 spot.

The TRA’s role in creating an environment in which broadcasters can leverage new revenues from IPTV, targeted advertising and by distributing content on mobile platforms via various methods is key. The TRA is also responsible for ensuring the commercial well-being of the UAE telecommunications sector, which in turn ensures the development of new content delivery platforms continues unabated.

THE LIST SO FAR

20. Randa Ayoubi,CEO, Rubicon

19. Abdul Rahman Al Hazzaa
Undersecretary, Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture & Information

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