National ICT & Digital regulations

IDC offers research and advisory services on ICT and digital regulatory trends, developments and best practices in the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa region.

The key topics we address include:

  • ICT policy and regulations to enable emerging technology adoption and usage
  • The impact of OTT services on regulatory frameworks
  • The evolution of policy and regulatory approaches to enable digital transformation and establish healthy ICT ecosystems

The types of studies we provide include:

  • Maturity assessment of current national ICT policy and regulatory frameworks
  • Benchmarking of national ICT regulations with countries across the region and worldwide
  • Best practices for policy and regulatory approaches
  • Market assessment to understand consumer and business sentiments for effective policymaking and regulatory framework development

Learn more about IDC’s tech market research

Delivering Agility & Transformation Through SDN/NFV

Challenge

With the emergence of new technologies for network transformation such as SDN, NFV, and SD-WAN, the client (a leading telecommunications organization) required an advisor to create a thought leadership document. The client’s primary aim was to educate its target market on the value propositions of these technologies so it could then drive potential clients’ digital transformation initiatives across the region.

The client approached IDC to produce analyst-led marketing collateral to be used for customer engagement purposes. The remit was to position the client top of mind as a leading managed services provider and to complement its marketing initiatives to generate awareness and business opportunities.

Approach & Methodology

  • Consultation: IDC engaged with the client’s executive stakeholders on multiple occasions to ensure clear alignment and satisfaction.
  • In-House Research: IDC utilized its extensive internal knowledgebase and research capabilities around managed network services.
  • Thought Leadership: IDC provided a detailed White Paper to highlight the different business models created through full SDN/NFV/SD-WAN.
  • Digital Content: IDC developed a quick-read visual infographic that the client could use to complement its marketing communications across various digital platforms.

Key Benefits & Outcomes

  • The client presented the White Paper to its partners and end users/prospects at its event and reinforced its key messaging via the IDC analyst’s speaking engagement.
  • As part of its wider marketing strategy, the client made the White Paper and event presentation available on its website to enable further lead generation.
  • The client gained a new independent and credible perspective on the subject matter, including actionable analysis and recommendations.
  • The White Paper provided consistent messaging relating to various touch points along the digital transformation journey and raised awareness of the client’s capabilities in the managed network services domain.

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Channel Partner Program Study for Cloud Services

Challenge

The client wanted to revitalize its channel partner program for cloud services and approached IDC to design a thought leadership document to convey its new, broader message during its upcoming Cloud & Security Summit.

The client wanted an effective set of tools to educate its audience on the new competitive landscape in the cloud business and on how to stay relevant. With this in mind, it chose IDC to deliver a White Paper and provide a speaker for its Summit.

Approach & Methodology

  • In-Depth Interviews: IDC conducted extensive discussions with the client’s top channel partners to better understand the benefits they have achieved by provisioning cloud services across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region.
  • White Paper: IDC prepared a White Paper with key recommendations and guidance for channel partners to consider in order to build a successful business around cloud services

Key Benefits & Outcomes

  • The client presented the White Paper to its partners and end users/prospects at its event and reinforced its key messages via the IDC analyst’s speaking engagement.
  • As part of its wider marketing strategy, the client made the White Paper and event presentation available on its website to enable further lead generation.

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Assessing the Impact of VAT on Mobile Handset Demand in the UAE

Challenge

In the lead up to the introduction of VAT in UAE in January 2018, the client—a leading mobile handset manufacturer—approached IDC to understand and quantify the exact degree of change in the market’s potential for the following two years.

The client therefore required an in-depth assessment of the likely impact that the introduction of VAT would have on the mobile handset market in the UAE. Specifically, the client sought these viewpoints to reset their annual targets and rework the price bands of their various models.

Approach & Methodology

IDC provided qualitative insights into the industry as well as an overview of the macroeconomic situation, ensuring that the report guided the client’s handset team on recalibrating their targets and strategies for the post-VAT environment.

IDC’s methodology for this project incorporated the following components:

  • Channel Interviews: IDC scheduled meetings with key channel players and VAT specialists to understand the implementation structure of the new tax, its impact on business, and the approaches being taken by various stakeholders.
  • In-Country Insights: IDC utilized its in-country analyst team and relationships to gather inputs and present a detailed view of the market.
  • Analysis of Macro/Micro Factors: The IDC team extensively analyzed various macro and micro factors, drawing on the best possible knowledge base to provide direction and supporting arguments.

Key Findings

IDC’s in-depth analysis of the situation revealed the following market dynamics:

  • Excess Inventory: Many of the distributors for the market’s key vendors were sitting on large inventories.
  • Lack of Major Sell-Out Bump in Q4 2017: The channel was not expecting to see any large increase in sell-out ahead of VAT implementation in January 2018.
  • Sell-In Targets: Distributors were struggling with vendors to reduce their targets for Q4 2017.
  • Leaner Operation Models: Most channel players did not want to hold on to extra inventory and were actively pursuing leaner operation models.
  • No VAT Incentive: There was no incentive to stock up in Q4 2017 prior to the implementation of VAT (i.e., no VAT exception for stock purchased before January 1, 2018)
  • Low Market Sentiments: Channel players and vendors were not too optimistic about 2018 sell-out post VAT due to shrinking consumer disposable income and lengthening refresh cycles.

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