The Role of Mobile Technology in Driving Digital Transformation of Ethiopia's Economy

"Digitalization of the economy is a key driver of economic growth and government revenue" in Ethiopia, according to a report published by GSMA, a UK-based organization that aims to unify the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. The report adds that digitalization "also supports socio-economic development and offers a path towards shared prosperity. By leveraging digitalization opportunities, the Government of Ethiopia can achieve sustainable economic growth and structural changes."

The report's additional key messages include:

• "Adoption of digital technologies across both public and private sectors can impact on economic growth. It can increase agricultural productivity, improve access to global value chains (GVCs) and increase efficiency of government and public services. Access to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing are desirable as drivers of digital and financial inclusion which in turn supports human development."
• "Digitalization, including the telecommunications sector reform program and the introduction of mobile money, is a key part of the Ethiopian government's Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda (HGER) since 2019 and implemented under the 2021-2030 Development Plan, the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, the Communications Service Proclamation No. 1148/2019 and the National Bank of Ethiopia's (NBE) strategic plans.

As explained by the report's authors, "In the five years since the launch of Digital Ethiopia 2025 and the start of the telecommunications reforms, the number of people covered by 3G networks has increased by 50%, while coverage of 4G networks has increased by 8 times. This study identifies further opportunities and quantifies the economic value of adopting digital technologies across Ethiopia's economy. It determines how these opportunities can be unlocked through policy reforms, particularly focusing on the key role that the mobile telecommunications sector and mobile money services plays in supporting the process of digitalization."

Regarding policy recommendations, I concur that "Policy reforms must balance short-term objectives with long-term investment and development to realize the full potential of digital transformation in Ethiopia. Reaping the wide-ranging benefits of digitalization will require bold actions to support demand, reduce the cost of supply and promote a policy environment that supports investment."

What is more, "The economic and social value of digital and emerging technologies relies on mobile networks as the backbone of digitalization of the economy and the mobile sector is best positioned to partner with the government to develop a mission-oriented public policy that can catalyze innovation across multiple sectors in the economy."

The report concludes with the identification of  five areas of policy recommendations that the government, the Ethiopian Communications Authority, NBE, and other relevant authorities could undertake to support the development of the mobile telecommunications sector, mobile money services, and the wider process of digital transformation in Ethiopia:

1. Telecommunications reform implementation: Fair and timely implementation of the telecom reforms agenda to enable Digital Ethiopia transformation and inclusion objectives.
2. Industry sustainability and investment: Support industry sustainability and development through investment and tax incentives, including reduce or remove customs duty and other costs on mobile devices to improve affordability and reduce the usage gap.
3. Licensing, spectrum, and regulatory fees: Ensure affordable and predictable licensing, spectrum, and regulatory fees to encourage investment and densification of existing networks, rollout of new generation networks and improve affordability of services.
4. Mobile money and payments: Discourage distortive taxation on emerging mobile money services, and continue implementing regulatory reforms to enable digital financial strategy and inclusion objectives.
5. Demand-side policies: Support demand by continuing implementing digital government and digital ID programs, and incentivizing adoption of digital technologies by consumers and firms.

What are your recommendations for how mobile technology can drive the digital transformation of Ethiopia's economy?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Big Tech to Remain Resilient Despite Macroeconomic Headwinds

In a report published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), "The macroeconomic environment is worsening" and the "EIU expects global economic growth to slow to 2.8% in 2022, while inflation reaches 9.2%— and big tech companies are not immune to the downturn." The report adds that Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft, in the quarter ended June 2022, "have reported their softest results in over a year."

According to the EIU, "The slowdown suggests that the strong growth seen as a result of the pandemic is now normalizing. Although big tech companies retain strong assets, such as their market positions, sizes and cash reserves, they will have to cope with weaker demand and higher costs over the next few years."

American enterprises with global operations that conduct commercial transactions in US dollars may be seeing a decline in sales outside of their home market as a result of a strong dollar. The EIU, however, explains that "With the exception of Meta, revenue growth is slowing, not declining, showing that big tech can still find pockets of growth despite the gloomy macroeconomic environment."

Furthermore, "Among the factors hurting big tech in 2022, the strong dollar is the most prominent one: these companies make between 40% (Amazon) and 60% (Apple) of their revenues outside the US. The impact of exchange rates was between 3-4% in the second quarter of 2022, but could reach as much as 6% in the third. We forecast that the euro will start to regain some ground in 2023, but the yen, sterling and some other currencies will remain weak."

In addition to macroeconomic conditions, especially the strong US dollar, are weighing on big tech earnings, the report's key findings include:

• Meta was the worst affected, reporting its first-ever quarterly revenue decline (-1%).
• The enterprise side remains strong, with cloud services growing at over 30%; premium services and subscriptions also remain positive on the consumer side.
• Big tech companies retain huge cash reserves (over half a trillion dollars combined), which will enable them to weather the storm
  

The EIU encouragingly notes that selling cloud services to enterprises "remain robust for big tech." The UK-based organization further says "High growth in cloud revenue suggests that businesses are sticking with their digital transformation plans despite tougher macroeconomic conditions. They view these investments as important for driving revenue and saving costs in the long term."

The report, however, points out that "The consumer environment was more difficult. As well as weaker consumer demand hitting the advertising market, online retail growth has also slowed (after surging during the pandemic years)."

On the topic of large cash reserves keeping big tech ahead, the EIU predicts that "The five companies will slow down hiring this year and next as they look to contain costs, but this follows a period of heavy hiring—Meta grew its headcount by 32% in the past year." Moreover, "Slower hiring does not suggest a lack of investment or innovation: big tech companies are increasingly competing with each other, and many other players, across a number of markets, such as healthcare, gaming or extended reality, and will continue to do so. Nevertheless, the environment is getting tougher, not only in terms of macroeconomic conditions and the competitive landscape, but also in terms of regulation."

The EIU adds that while it remains "skeptical that the US will pass any major tech laws before the November 2022 midterm elections, the EU has recently passed the Digital Markets and Digital Services Acts. Both will impact big tech companies if properly enforced." As reflected in the image to the right, the tech firms "can still use their size as well as their large cash reserves, which combine to over US$500bn for the five companies, to cope with tougher conditions."

I appreciate how this technology outlook analyzes the recent slowdown, outlines some of the critical challenges facing big tech and why, despite tricky external conditions, EIU expects these companies to remain resilient. What do you think of the report's findings? How are you making your company resilient to macroeconomic headwinds?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

TradeTech Has the Potential to Facilitate and Promote Further International Trade by Lowering Barriers for Companies to Enter New Markets

According to a report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), a Swiss-based international organization promoting public-private cooperation, "TradeTech is the set of technologies and innovations that enable global trade to be more efficient, inclusive and equitable. The interplay of technology and trade has a long history, spanning from advances in transportation to the advent of the container to the emergence of coordinated production networks."

Mapping TradeTech: Trade in the Fourth Industrial Revolution "considers modern TradeTech in two layers: (1) a first layer in which trade data and processes are transformed from analogue to digital; and (2) a second layer in which trade process optimization and synchronization occurs between different parties, and where emerging technologies play a key role." The report adds that  "TradeTech solutions work in bundles. While the second layer depends on data generated in the first one, it is also hard to separate artificial intelligence (AI) from robotics or the internet of things (IoT) from 5G."

Aiming "to shed light on the landscape of emerging trade technologies and consider the opportunities and challenges for each, with case studies used for illustration," the report notes:

Business perceptions show that many technologies have a significant impact on trade. The World Economic Forum launched a global survey to understand how firms are currently using technologies in international value chains and to assess which technologies will have the biggest impact on global trade. The results are being used to determine a landscape of technologies that have the biggest effect on trade in the short and medium term. According to this survey on TradeTech, conducted from June to September 2020, "fundamental" technologies such as digital documentation, digital platforms, digital payment and cloud computing are perceived as most relevant in the shorter term, along with IoT, digital

services and 5G. Technologies expected to affect trade in the longer term are robotics, virtual reality, 3D printing and AI.

On the topic of TradeTech for micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the report says: "As the Fourth Industrial Revolution sets in, MSMEs face both opportunities and challenges in this wave of technological transformation. New technologies in trade, such as cloud computing, blockchain, IoT, big data and AI, present MSMEs with opportunities to tap into the technological edge previously only available to large firms. The application of new TradeTech can help MSMEs save costs, improve efficiency, streamline operations and scale up. Software as a service (SaaS) and e-commerce platforms have made trade more inclusive as there are no upfront costs."

As for supporting TradeTech adoption by MSMEs, the WEF suggests governments could support MSMEs in a number of ways, including by:

• Promoting education and IT skills development, through the inclusion of IT in school and university curricula, and encouraging public-private partnerships through internship programs
• Facilitating big data and AI tools that help MSMEs reduce market research costs and improve online visibility
• Improving information and communications technology (ICT) and logistics infrastructure
• Providing cybersecurity training
• Setting up a TradeTech network, composed of key stakeholders, that has the potential to maximize the scope and outreach of any given solution while encouraging the development of local solutions (for instance, a single web page might compile and easily display all the resources, tools and services offered by the members of the TradeTech network); given the lack of skilled human resources affecting companies, external experts might bridge the gap by providing qualified advice
• Establishing a benchmark for TradeTech adoption by MSMEs, which could help incentivize government reform actions to promote TradeTech adoption.

"Internationally," the report explains that "an increasing number of trade agreements include chapters on e-commerce and digital trade. Recent agreements, such as the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), include provisions on MSMEs and digital inclusion specifically. Commitments go from information sharing to enhancing public-private dialogue and cooperation involving e-commerce platforms."

Given my experience working in developing countries, I appreciate the report's assertion that "TradeTech offers developing countries leapfrog opportunities. The potential to seize these opportunities may vary by technology. TradeTech that requires higher capital, such as robotics and IoT, may be more challenging to diffuse in low-income country settings than technologies that are mainly software defined (e.g. blockchain, AI and digital platforms)."

What is more, "The network nature of TradeTech’s benefits, in which the more users there are of the technologies, the more value each user can derive from them (positive network externalities), creates incentives for the diffusion of technology worldwide.

"The most straightforward opportunities might come from the first layer of TradeTech, that is the digitalization of trade and logistics-related documents. This is a mature innovation in developed countries, where the opportunities for additional market expansion are limited, although certain developing countries have also advanced significantly in this area, for instance regarding e-invoicing."

The WEF says "TradeTech has the potential to facilitate and promote further international trade by lowering barriers for companies to enter new markets. Major TradeTech gains originate in good coordination between the different actors in supply chains. TradeTech, especially in its second layer, allows holistic decisions that can result in efficiency and environmental advantages for the whole value chain. Yet unintended consequences in terms of job displacement, competition and techno-nationalism trends require attention."

Moreover, "TradeTech's impact will depend on how data and tech interoperability are addressed, regulations are harmonized, and inclusive access to close the digital divide, also present in the trade space, is ensured. To deliver on TradeTech's promise, action is needed to build the trust required for supply chain transparency, to promote cooperation in tech regulation, to drive a trade facilitation agenda around interoperability, and to provide training for upskilling and reskilling workers."

Many will agree with the report's assertion that "[t]he COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and opened a window of opportunity to drive tech innovation in trade. The moment should be seized to use TradeTech to make global trade more efficient, inclusive and equitable."

How do you see emerging trade technologies facilitating and promoting international trade?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

Microsoft's Recommendations for Nigeria's Digital Transformation

According to a paper published by Microsoft, "The ubiquity of technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is revolutionizing business and society in everyday life. The transformational changes of technology addition and the Fourth Industrial Revolution impacts social, economic, political and security dimensions."

Not only are we seeing the early benefits from the Fourth Industrial Revolution in developed markets, it may provide a great impact on those living in developing countries worldwide. It was with great interest that I read Enabling a Digital Nigeria: A Position Paper of Microsoft's Vision for Digital Transformation and a Digital Economy that Works for Everyone, which presents "digital transformation as a means for social and economic development in Nigeria to enable every Nigerian citizen and business achieve more."

Through this paper, Microsoft recommends "twenty (20) policy interventions across four (4) policy areas for the Government to promote a digital Nigeria in such a way as to optimally harness the opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution. The recommendations highlight the gaps that need to be closed to ensure we can capitalize on the benefits of the digital economy. Transforming Nigeria using technologies will require developing a digital ecosystem, infrastructural enhancements in the policy and regulatory environment, education sector and national security. Finally, without deliberate efforts to improve people's national digital awareness and inclusion, both in the private and public sectors, the benefits will be limited."

Below are some of Microsoft's recommendations aimed to drive cloud adoption in the country, which would catalyze the digital transformation of public institutions:

1. To sustain the traction of a cloud-first policy and other digital transformation initiatives, Government efforts to increase digital and cloud capabilities of the public service are important. The Government should amplify communications of its commitment and support of ICT policies within an enabling environment.
2. Build digital and AI capacity through the creation of AI knowledge centers across the country as well as the enhancement of scientific research on AI adoption.
3. Government must optimize its data ecosystem through the development of multi-domain open data repositories that will enhance citizen interaction and amplify the country’s emergency response infrastructure.
4. Government should ensure technology adoption barriers like costs are fair to all socio-economic groups and offer support and provision of digital applications in sectors such as education and healthcare.
5. To implement the NITDA’s e-Government Interoperability Framework across the public sector. This provides uniform standards to follow in ICT adoption that will optimize government’s role in driving sustainable development.
6. Adapt the national education curriculum and delivery methods to align with 4IR and develop digital and non-digital skills such as critical thinking.
7. The passage of data protection laws unique to the Nigerian context that aligns with cutting-edge technologies, is technology neutral, and balances innovation with protection.

Having witnessed West Africa's technological transformation over the past decade, I concur with the report's conclusion: "The fundamental difference between digitally competitive nations has less to do with technology, but more to do with the transformative strategies that complement digital-savvy leadership, digitally skilled citizens and a collaborative digital culture. By immersing these elements within a conducive policy enabling environment, the Nigerian government can create a sustainable technology ecosystem that will drive digital transformation."

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is presenting a great opportunity for the next generation of Nigerians seeking to participate in the knowledge economy. Microsoft's recommendations provide a strong, stable path for the country's digital transformation. As the report encouragingly says: "We hope this contribution will provide a roadmap for Nigeria to achieve social and economic development goals and derive her share of the $11.5 trillion global digital economy."

Do you agree with the report's recommendations?

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

China Is Set to Become One of the World's Leading 5G Markets with 460 Million 5G Connections Forecast by 2025, Says a New GSMA Report

China's mobile ecosystem added RMB5.2 trillion ($750 billion) in value to the country's economy last year, according to a GSMA report, equivalent to 5.5 percent of China's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018. The GDP contribution comprises mobile operators (1.0%); related industries (1.1%); indirect contribution (0.7%); and productivity improvements (2.7%).

Authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of UK-based GSMA, the report explains that "China is a huge mobile market, nearly four times the size of North America, with 1.2 billion unique subscribers at the end of 2018. Over 97% of these come from mainland China, with the remainder spread across three other markets – Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan." The Mobile Economy China 2019, available both in English and Chinese, reveals that:

• China is the largest mobile market in the world, home to almost 1.2 billion unique mobile subscribers at the end of 2018, representing 82 percent of the country's population (a unique mobile subscriber represents an individual that can account for multiple SIM connections;
• More than two-thirds (69 percent) of mobile connections in China are smartphones, with smartphone adoption expected to reach 88 percent of connections by 2025 (there were 1.5 billion SIM connections in China in 2018 ((excluding licensed cellular IoT), forecast to rise to 1.7 billion by 2025);
• 77 percent of China’s connections are currently running on 4G networks – 4G adoption will peak in the coming years before falling as consumers migrate to next-generation mobile services;
• China is set to become one of the world's leading 5G markets with 460 million 5G connections forecast by 2025, which would account for 28 percent of China's total connections by this point;
• The RMB5.2 trillion ($750 billion) economic contribution by China's mobile ecosystem in 2018 is forecast to grow to RMB6 trillion ($870 billion) by 2023;
• China's mobile ecosystem directly and indirectly supported 8.5 million jobs in 2018 and made a tax contribution to the public finances of government of RMB583 billion ($84 billion); and
• The number of licensed cellular IoT connections in China stood at 672 million at the end of 2018, supporting various industrial and smart cities applications.

The report's executive summary presents the following two points:

Mobile underpins rapid transition to a digital society

"China is the world's second largest economy," the report says, "accounting for close to a fifth of global gross domestic product (GDP). Through a combination of government policies and market forces, the economy has expanded massively since the late 1970s, with industries such as steel, automotive and telecoms developing rapidly. Today, China's broad and diverse mobile ecosystem underpins its digitization strategy and is having a profound impact on consumers, businesses and wider society."

In my experiences of working in the Middle Kingdom for the past several years, I can attest that "China's growing middle class are purchasing more goods online, amplifying the country's already huge e-commerce market and reducing the prevalence of cash transactions. China is home to many millions of tech-savvy consumers who are keen adopters of social media and users of a variety of apps, placing greater demands on operators for improved network performance."

The report further notes that "[d]espite trailing many developed markets in launching 4G, Chinese operators have invested heavily in their networks, recognizing the positive correlation between user experience and data consumed. This has resulted in improved mobile data speeds, while subscribers in China have migrated to 4G services at a faster pace than those in Australia and the US, creating a mass market and economies of scale in a short timeframe. Operators are now working to bring 5G to market and are set to lead much of the world in this space. China will host the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will serve as further motivation to accelerate 5G deployments."

Government and policymakers enable a platform for digital progression and pioneers

According to the report, "In a testing geopolitical climate, the government remains steadfast in pushing forward the country's digitization journey, considering traditional sectors such as retail and health as ripe for disruption. The state is also investing in a range of emerging technology industries such as AI, leading to a surge in external financing. Meanwhile, internet tech players and mobile operators alike are at the cutting edge of innovation, often partnering to develop and apply pioneering solutions, which can improve efficiency and realize cost savings, as well as expose new revenue streams.

"In parallel, Chinese policymakers have taken important steps to modernize the country's regulatory framework for telecoms, establishing a platform for further digital progression. Though further reforms should be considered, many technological advancements are on the horizon and more industries will adopt and commercialize digital solutions. Operators appear resolved to provide the superior connectivity required to power China in the 5G era, supporting the country's transition to a leading digital society and its presence on the international stage."

Infographic: GSMA Intelligence

Done carefully, companies worldwide will find China to be a lucrative market in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, connected devices, digital health, fintech, mobile applications and other digital services. What are your plans to capitalize on this opportunity?

Aaron Rose is an advisor to talented entrepreneurs and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

Rising 4G and Smartphone Adoption Growing Latin America's Mobile Economy

Being familiar with the Latin American and Caribbean region, I see opportunities to support the development of products and localized services in cloud computing, financial technology (fintech), connected devices, artificial intelligence, medical technology (medtech) and mobile applications (particularly in health and education). Therefore, I read with great anticipation a report by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm for London, England-based GSMA, which says, "Across Latin America and the Caribbean, smartphone adoption has accelerated to reach 59% of total connections by the first half of 2017." The report adds that "in the largest markets, adoption has grown particularly quickly: since the beginning of 2016, almost 85 million new smartphones are in use in the region, with Brazil adding more than 20 million and Mexico 18 million."

The Mobile Economy Latin America and the Caribbean 2017 claims, "By 2020 the region will have an adoption rate of 71%, ahead of the global average of 66%. This translates into an additional 171 million new smartphone users across the region by the end of the decade."

With respect to 5th generation mobile networks (5G), the report explains that "although the focus for both operators and consumers is currently 4G, 5G coverage will begin to expand rapidly by the middle of the next decade to reach just under 50% by 2025. Total 5G connections will exceed 50 million by 2025, nearly 5% of the global total. Adoption will expand once coverage reaches critical mass in key markets, led by Argentina and Mexico."

The report encouragingly says the mobile ecosystem is a major contributor to the regional economy. "In 2016, mobile technologies and services generated 5% of GDP in Latin America, a contribution that amounted to $260 billion of economic value added. In the period to 2020, this will increase to $320 billion (5.6% of GDP), as the region experiences strong growth in productivity brought about by continued adoption of mobile internet."

Furthermore, "The mobile ecosystem supported 1.7 million jobs in 2016. This includes workers directly employed by mobile operators and the ecosystem, and jobs that are indirectly supported in the rest of the economy by the activity generated by the sector. The sector also makes an important contribution to the funding of the public sector, with almost $35 billion raised in 2016 – mainly in the form of general taxation, including VAT, corporate taxes and employment taxes."

Based on my experiences of working in the region, the report correctly notes, "Latin America boasts some of the most advanced mobile internet users globally. ... Combined with Latin America's rising smartphone adoption and 4G usage, the mobile ecosystem provides a large, scalable platform for entrepreneurs and innovators." What is more, "With nearly 350 million mobile internet subscribers currently, and 420 million by 2020, the Latin American market is larger than the US and in 2020 will rival the EU in size."

Chapter 2.7 addresses the fact that the local startup environment is flourishing. "Venture capital and private equity funding has been especially strong in 2017, with more transactions (453) in the first half of 2017 than in all of 2016, which itself was a record year. Moreover, the number of deals has been rising strongly each year since 2014." The report, however, adds that "most deals are for small dollar amounts – and the amounts are often not disclosed – the number of deals is a better indicator of the health and momentum of the startup environment."

With respect to mobile's role in addressing social challenges, the report disappointingly explains,

Despite progress made to date, still too many people across Latin America and the Caribbean are digitally excluded. By 2020, nearly 250 million will remain excluded; these are predominantly in rural areas, in lower income classes and more likely to be women. The mobile ecosystem must address challenges and perceptions around safety and security if it is to connect these people, as well as tackle a lack of digital skills and affordability challenges.

On the topic of regulatory reform, the report accurately says, "The converging digital ecosystem is highly dynamic, fast-paced and modular. Rising consumer demand for data requires new technologies and significant investment. At the same time, the industry is moving forward to connect the unconnected and serve the nascent Internet of Things (IoT) sector. This all poses regulatory and policy challenges for both the current and future digital ecosystem. With that in mind, policymakers must seek to support and enable the digital ecosystem."

Infographic: GSMA Intelligence

What opportunities do you see for developing products and localized services for the Latin American and Caribbean market?

Aaron Rose is an advisor to talented entrepreneurs and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

5G to Account for a Third of Europe's Mobile Market by 2025

As Europe's economy has improved in the past couple of years, I have taken an interest in identifying opportunities in the region's mobile industry with respect to artificial intelligence, financial technology (fintech), medical technology (medtech) and mobile applications (particularly in health and education). Therefore, I found interest in reading a new report, The Mobile Economy Europe 2017, by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of London, England-based GSMA, estimating that "Europe will reach 214 million 5G connections in 2025, just over 30% of total connections."

The report further says, "Taking account of the anticipated European rollout, 5G adoption in Europe is expected to initially outstrip the equivalent rate of adoption for 4G in the years following launch. By 2025, 5G coverage is expected to reach almost three-quarters of the population in Europe, with Germany, the UK and France expected to lead in terms of number of 5G connections."

While we are a few years from seeing the wide adoption of 5G, the report notes, "Europe is seeing rapid adoption of 4G services. At the end of 2016, there were 226 million 4G connections in Europe (up 46% year on year), accounting for more than a third of total connections (excluding M2M). 4G connections will overtake 3G connections in the region in 2017 and reach 61% of the total by 2020."

What is more, "4G technology was designed to evolve, and there is plenty of room for future growth as operators focus their investments on network performance improvements, driven by advances in technology (e.g. MIMO and carrier aggregation). With the potential for speeds to reach above 1 Gbps, further evolution of 4G will provide considerable benefits to consumers who are increasingly demanding higher-speed, always-on connectivity."

On the topic of the mobile industry contributing to jobs and economic growth, the report explains that "mobile technologies and services generated 3.4% of GDP in Europe, a contribution that amounted to around €540 billion of economic value added. In the period to 2020, this figure will increase to around €670 billion (3.9% of GDP), as the region experiences strong growth in productivity brought about by continued adoption of M2M technology and the increased digitization of industry and services."

Importantly, "the mobile ecosystem supported 2.6 million jobs in 2016. This includes workers directly employed by mobile operators and the ecosystem, and jobs that are indirectly supported in the rest of the economy by the activity generated by the sector. The sector also makes an important contribution to the funding of the public sector, with €100 billion raised in 2016 mainly in the form of general taxation, including VAT, corporate taxes and employment taxes."

As for mobile driving engagement and innovation, "Europe continues to see innovation across all areas of the mobile ecosystem, spurred by the growth in new technologies, services and use cases. ... The application of artificial intelligence (AI) will also prove a fundamental enabler of the IoT ecosystem. While the AI industry continues to be dominated by established North American players in the internet ecosystem and enterprise space, European operators are now stepping up their efforts."

Having familiarity with Europe's mobile industry, I am encouraged to read the report's final chapter, "Looking to the Future of Mobile – Policies for a Digital Europe," which addresses the need for the European Commission to modernize its regulatory framework. The report accurately notes that Europe's "mobile industry continues to experience rapid change. The convergence of digital technologies is driving growth and innovation, enabling a steady flow of new services. Advanced applications and new ways of communicating are creating a truly connected society, radically impacting the way people use technology in daily life as well as how digital access is provisioned by network operators."

Moreover, I agree that "new thinking on telecoms sector regulation is required to achieve the vision of the 'Gigabit Society,' to encourage long-term growth and development, to create an environment that is conducive to investment and to ensure the expansion of next-generation digital networks and services. Only then will Europe be able to move quickly and capitalize on the tremendous opportunities a digitally vibrant economy can offer to its citizens and businesses."

Investment and business opportunities exist in Europe's mobile sector. What products or services are you developing for the European market?

Aaron Rose is an advisor to talented entrepreneurs and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

Using Blockchain to Verify a Candidate's Credentials and Fill Job Vacancies

Image: APPII

While researching articles for the previous post on this blog about Microsoft's Resume Assistant, which aims to help craft a compelling resume and see relevant job opportunities on LinkedIn, I read an article by Bernard Marr in Forbes who writes that "a new and potentially revolutionary application of blockchain technology could have wide-ranging implications for the way employers assess candidates and fill vacancies."

APPII Limited, Mr. Marr says, leverages blockchain’s function "as a 'trustless' system to give employers confidence that the candidate sitting in front of him is who he or she say they are." Based in London, England, APPII claimes to be "the world's first blockchain career verification platform."

"Blockchain," Mr. Marr notes, "is basically a method of recording information on a distributed and encrypted ledger – eliminating the need for trust, or middle-men in many applications. Today it is best known as the breakthrough technology behind virtual currency Bitcoin. But it has implications for any industry which relies on recording, storing and tracking transactions."

He further provides a thorough, yet simple explanation on how APPII's platform works:

APPII's platform allows candidates to create Intelligent Profiles – recording details of professional achievement or educational certification on the distributed ledger, where it can be verified and then permanently recorded.

It then allows organizations such as businesses or educational institutions to verify the "assertions" that candidates make during applications. By recording on a candidate’s profile that an assertion has been verified, there is no need for it to be checked again in the future.

It also uses facial recognition technology to verify the identity of candidates, by asking them to take a picture using the mobile app and comparing it to a photograph on official identification documents such as passports.

I share Mr. Marr's enthusiasm that "it's certainly very exciting to see blockchain starting to be put to use in some innovative ways, and making it possible for us to do things we just wouldn’t be able to do before. The concept of a distributed and encrypted ledger has obvious implications in finance - where many are speculating it can replace many of the traditional functions of a bank. But beyond that, I believe it can effectively and innovatively be put to use for just about any function which involves recording, verifying and tracking data."

In addition, I support APPII's assertion that "having the credentials of an individuals CV verified by educators or accreditors and former employers is of enormous benefit." The company further says,

Blockchain technology can be put to great use in the recruitment sector. The recruitment sector after all is a broker industry. The technology can assist in expediting commodity processes undertaken by intermediaries unlocking valuable capital to be put to better use by employers in growing or optimizing their businesses.

In APPIIs case, the broker role currently undertaken by 3rd party verification companies is superseded by the blockchain technology and network. The technology makes the process immeasurably faster and, at the same time, ultra-trustworthy.

The blockchain technology ensures that the verification activity only happens once and is stored securely and permanently for any person or organisation that wishes to view it. The technology also eradicates double handling and processing by multiple verification providers.

What do you think about using blockchain to verify an individual's curriculum vitae/resume or as a job recruitment tool?

Aaron Rose is an advisor to talented entrepreneurs and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

Microsoft's New Tool to Help Craft a Compelling Resume and See Relevant Job Opportunities on LinkedIn

Photo: Microsoft

In a post published on this blog on Oct. 27, 2017, I discussed my motivation for co-founding CareerLight, LLC; namely, to help international students in the United States prepare for a successful career. Another reason for my involvement with the Seattle, Wash.-based company is to learn about how technology is used in human resource management and job recruiting. Therefore, I found interest in reading a blog post by Kylan Nieh, senior product manager at LinkedIn, about the release of Resume Assistant, a tool that integrates with Microsoft Word, through the Office 365 productivity software-as-a-service platform, in crafting a "compelling resume" and "see relevant job opportunities on LinkedIn that are personalized for you."

I agree with Mr. Nieh that "creating a resume that accurately represents who you are, what you've done and in a way that is tailored to the role you're aspiring to, is one of the biggest challenges for professionals." With the aim of overcoming this challenge, a user will select their desired role and industry and then the "Resume Assistant will pull LinkedIn insights from millions of member profiles so you can see diverse examples of how professionals in that role describe their work."

Photo: Microsoft

"Highlighting the right skills can help you get discovered by recruiters, but how do you choose which are the right ones to include on your resume?" Mr. Nieh asks. "Within Resume Assistant, you can see the skills other successful professionals in your desired role and industry have, so you can add them if applicable."

Resume Assistant will also provide users with the ability to"see relevant job listings from LinkedIn's 11 million+ active job openings to jump start" their search. Mr. Nieh notes that "along with job openings, you'll see details of what the job requires, helping you to tailor your resume to a specific role."

Moreover, "If you see something you like, you can go directly to the job opening on LinkedIn where you can learn more about the opportunity and apply. Within Resume Assistant you'll also see the option to turn on Open Candidates. This feature on LinkedIn quietly signals to recruiters that you’re open to new opportunities, and makes you twice as likely to hear from recruiters."

Bryan Goode, general manager for Office 365, notes: "The workplace is changing, impacting not only how people work, but also the frequency with which they change roles, introducing new challenges for job seekers. Nearly 70 percent of people say they have difficulty portraying their work experience effectively, and 50 percent struggle to tailor their resume to a specific job opportunity. Furthermore, job applications on LinkedIn have increased 40 percent year-over-year, signaling increased competition for jobs."

Mr. Goode asserts that "with over 80 percent of resumes updated in Word, Resume Assistant helps job seekers showcase accomplishments, be more easily discovered by recruiters, and find their ideal job."

Microsoft produced a short video about its Resume Assistant:



I am excited to see how other technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) will provide value to the arduous job search process.

Will you use the Resume Assistant tool? Do you have recommendations on how to create an outstanding resume?

Aaron Rose is an advisor to talented entrepreneurs and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

Microsoft Security Forum: Security in a Cloud-First, Mobile First World

Whether it was the convenience of accessing documents through any internet connection, easing the budgetary pressure of maintaining a private server or appreciating new technology, I was an early-adopter of Microsoft's cloud computing platform that debuted over ten years ago. As mobile applications have evolved and become readily available, I find myself using a smartphone to access my documents stored in the cloud more frequently. While conveniently accessing documents stored or apps hosted in the cloud is important, keeping the information secure is always paramount. Therefore, I did not hesitate to register for a mobile security forum, "Security in a Cloud-First, Mobile First World," Microsoft hosted on Oct. 10, 2017 in Bellevue, Wash.

Security for Your Digital Transformation

In his presentation, "Security for your digital transformation," Javier Dominguez, a Technical Solutions Professional at Microsoft, highlighted the four-step process Microsoft utilizes to secure its cloud computing platform: (1) identity and access management (protect users' identities & control access to valuable resources based on user risk level), (2) threat protection (protect against advanced threats and recover quickly when attacked), (3) information protection (ensure documents and emails are seen only by authorized people), and (4) security management (gain visibility and control over security tools).

He also noted that two billion records were compromised in 2016, which led to an average cost to a business of $15 million per breach (not including the reputation impact a business may experience when its data is compromised).

Identity & Access Management

Speaking during the second session, "Identity & Access Management," Mr. Dominguez said 81 percent of breaches are caused by credential theft, 73 percent of passwords are duplicates, and 80 percent of employees use non-approved apps. In securing its cloud platform, Microsoft asks the following questions about access control:

• Who is accessing? What is their role? Is the account compromised?
• Where is the user based? From where is the user signing in? Is the IP anonymous?
• Which app is being accessed? What is the business impact?
• Is the device healthy? Is it managed? Has it been in a botnet?
• What data is being accessed? Is it classified? Is it allowed off premises?

Mr. Dominguez also highlighted a new service called Windows Hello for Business, which replaces passwords with strong two-factor authentication on PCs and mobile devices. This authentication consists of a new type of user credential that is tied to a device and uses a biometric or PIN. In addition, Windows Hello for Business lets user authenticate to an Active Directory or Azure Active Directory account.

Protecting Against Modern Attacks

Speaking on protecting against modern attacks, Ken Malcolmson, an Executive Security Advisor at Microsoft, emphasized to the audience that cyber threats are a material risk to their business. He noted how Microsoft is detecting malicious activity in organization including (1) detecting compromised user credentials, (2) detecting malicious apps and data, (3) detecting advanced threats and abnormal behavior, and (4) detecting advance threats to hybrid workloads.

The objective with implementing multiple detecting mechanisms, Mr. Malcolmson said, is to "raise the cost of attack." In other words, increasing the time and financial resources required to compromise a cloud system will diminish a hacker's incentive.

Mr. Malcolmson then outlined five methods for responding to threats quickly:

1. Respond to Compromised Identities. Get recommendations and remediation actions in case of a suspicious activity on-premises or in the cloud; review next steps on a simple, actionable attack timeline; and identify threats before the attackers access critical data and resources.
2. Respond to Malicious Email Files. Remove emails found to be malicious after they land in user inbox; intelligent filters which update based on evolving cyber threat landscape; and ability to remediate for real-time malicious emails.
3. Respond to Compromised Data. Identify high-risk and anomalous usage in cross cloud apps - including Office 365 and get recommendations and remediation actions for next steps.
4. Respond to Compromised Devices. Remediate potential threats and prevent reoccurrence using built in technologies; receive mitigation guidance for remediation for threats and future risks; and assess organizational security score including trends over time.
5. Respond to Compromised Workloads Across Hybrid Infrastructure. Prioritized security alerts that help you respond quickly with azure security center; recommendations to mitigate threats and vulnerabilities; and threat intelligence reports for deeper insights into attack.

Information Protection

Mr. Dominguez then made a presentation on protecting and managing your data throughout its lifecycle noting that the "new world of work is driving change." Elaborating on this point, he provided some statistical data:

• 41 percent of of employees say mobile business apps change how they work;
• 85 percent of enterprise organizations keep sensitive information in the cloud;
• 88 percent of organizations no longer have confidence to detect and prevent loss of sensitive data; and
• 58 percent have accidentally sent sensitive information to the wrong person.

Mr. Dominguez discussed the lifecycle of a sensitive data including how data is created, imported, and modified across various locations:

• Data is detected across devices, cloud services, on-premises environments;
• Sensitive data is classified and labeled based on sensitivity, used for either protection policies or retention policies;
• Data is protected based on policy. Protection may in the form of encryption, permissions, visual markings, retention, deletion, or a DLP (data loss prevention) action such as blocking sharing;
• Data travels across various locations, shared protection is persistent, travels with the data;
• Data is monitored. Reporting on data sharing, usage, potential abuse; take action and remediate; and
• Retain, expire, delete data via data governance policies.

Microsoft Security Management

Making the forum's final presentation, Mr. Dominguez noted the different ways chief information security officers can secure their company's data including:

• Use Azure Active Directory to secure identities in your environment;
• Enable threat management for your devices through Windows Defender Security Center;
• Manage and control apps and data for your SaaS apps with Office 365 Security and Compliance Center as well as Microsoft Cloud App Security; and
• Consolidate security management for your infrastructure in cloud and on-premises with Azure Security Center.

I found value in the information presented during the security forum. As a customer of Microsoft's cloud computing platform, I appreciated getting a better understanding on how the company is protecting their customer's data against unauthorized access, detect attacks and breaches, and help with responding and adapting to prevent it from happening again.

While I am not a IT director/manager or security officer, per se, as an active user of cloud computing platforms for personal and business purposes, I understand the importance of cybersecurity and the financial and reputational impact a data breach can have to myself or my business.

How are you or your business using cloud computing? What methods are you using to secure your data?

Aaron Rose is an advisor to talented entrepreneurs and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

Verified Credential Management for the Professional World

The previous post discussed my experience of attending the 9Mile Labs Demo Day or "Milestone9" where participating companies (cohort) present their idea to an audience of investors, mentors, executives, community partners, and the greater entrepreneurial community. 9Mile Labs is an Seattle, Wash.-based accelerator focused on enterprise or business-to-business (B2B) software and cloud technologies. In writing the previous post, I found the notes from my attendance of Milestone9 on May 14th, 2015.

The nine companies participating in Cohort IV include:

1. Camp Native -- Marketplace to list, discover, and reserve campsites;
2. Fasterbids -- Remodel pricing in seconds, saving time, saving money;
3. Kodu Care -- Kodu Care brings patient success management to mental health;
4. Mowdo -- On-demand app and pricing engine for the 74B lawn care industry;
5. Pingle -- Verified credential management for the professional world;
6. Qalendra -- Mine, fuse and structure data from multiple sources to generate predictions and insights for the travel industry;
7. SalesPrepper -- A salesperson's personal research analyst;
8. Unoceros -- We turn mobile phones into datacenter-like-instances; and
9. Variat -- Quality control solution optimized for medium-sized manufacturers with global aspirations.

While each company presented a unique solution to a particular problem, I enjoyed the presentation made by Pingle, Inc. Founded by Kristian Alcaide and RedWolf Pope, Pingle "uses a patent-pending machine learning verification engine to instantly provide credentials for professionals in maritime, construction, medical and other industries," according to an GeekWire article that includes an interview with Mr. Pope.

In his interview, Mr. Pope, who also serves as the company's chief executive officer, explained that "Pingle verifies peoples credentials, lets employers check compliance, and offers renewal options when they expire. So we facilitate communication with workers, employers and schools, but we also verify everyone and each credential, so that trust is added to the equation."

One of Pingle's value proposition is saving time as the current system of verifying credentials is a painstaking manual- and telephone-based process that may take weeks. Saving money is another value of Pingle's service as the "costs of a bad hire or expired credentials can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars," according to the company's website. Moreover, "Current tracking solutions are overly complex, costly and add more work to the HR department."

Given the challenges HR departments may have in maintaining compliance in managing and verifying the credentials of their current or prospective employees, or professionals needing to manage their credentials, there is certainly a market opportunity for a service like Pingle's.

Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.

A Cloud-Based Storm Water Monitoring Platform Among the Innovative Solutions from the 9Mile Labs Startup Accelerator

9Mile Labs is a Seattle, Wash.-based accelerator focused on enterprise or business-to-business (B2B) software and cloud technologies. The startups accepted into the program receive a $35,000-$105,000 investment in exchange for 7-10% of the startup's equity, a diverse network of mentors who can help provide counsel and connections to the companies, workspace for the company, and networking and social events run by 9Mile Labs during the program. At the end of the 14-week program, the participating companies (cohort) attend a graduation ceremony, 9Mile Labs Demo Day or "Milestone9," where each company is provided with the opportunity to present their idea to an audience of investors, mentors, executives, community partners, and the greater entrepreneurial community. I had the pleasure of attending Milestone9 on March 3, 2016 in Seattle.

The 11 companies participating in Cohort V at MileStone9 include:

1. ClientLinkt -- Custom App for Realtors®, helping them add value & stay connected;
2. CPE Suite -- Continuing Professional Education (CPE) marketplace for licensed professionals;
3. Globatom -- Cloud-based platform that automates International trade;
4. IoTfy -- Enabling IoT in Enterprises;
5. Jodone -- Robotic/Human hybrid solution for Solid waste and Recycling, the mechanical Turk for robotics;
6. minima -- SaaS solution that helps Enterprise IT control data sprawl;
7. Muze -- Helping small businesses grow through entertainment and advertisements;
8. Namastream -- Namastream is a comprehensive, on-demand virtual wellness studio platform;
9. StormSensor -- StormSensor is the only cloud-based storm water monitoring platform;
10. trenzi -- Trenzi enables everyday influencers to promote products for brands;
11. Viato -- World's First Deal Escrow: Providing protection against channel conflict to indirect sales partners who register the deals early.

Photo of StormSensor's
Erin Rothman: GeekWire

Among the companies listed above, I am particularly impressed by StormSensor. During her presentation, Erin Rothman, StormSensor's co-founder and chief executive officer said, “We built StormSensor, the only solution that automates the entire data collection, monitoring, and reporting process for storm water data at test sites.” Ms. Rothman continued to say that "StormSensor notifies our users of rainfall at their sites so they know exactly when to sample…so they can focus on solving problems instead of wondering [if] they have one."

I appreciate the way Ms. Rothman presented the problem her company is solving and the solution she and her colleagues are creating. Specifically, I see value in the real-time analytics, data availability, and workflow notifications StormSensor is providing to their customers, which include government agencies and companies from the private sector. (For additional information about the company, I recommend reading this interview of StormSensor's co-founder, Anya Stettler, by Taylor Soper of GeekWire.)

This was the second Milestone9 event that I attended (the first being Cohort IV on May 14, 2015) and I enjoyed seeing the variety of creative ingenuity in the area of B2B software or cloud technology.

Aaron Rose serves as President and CEO of ROI3, Inc., a Seattle, Wash.-based company that empowers people in emerging economies through innovative, technology-based solutions. He is also the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

How Technology is Transforming Business Functions

Sponsored by Microsoft, the Economist Intelligence Unit published a paper, Changing roles: How technology is transforming business functions, that explores how the workplace is evolving and the effect of technology on how people collaborate, form global teams and make decisions across various business functions. The report is based on a global survey, advisory board findings and in-depth interviews with industry experts.

The report issued four key findings as outlined in the Executive Summary:

1. Work will become more complex. Individual workloads will increase, driven partly by the need to respond to rapidly swelling quantities of real-time data from automation of all kinds and from greater demands for collaboration. Thirty-six percent of survey respondents expect work to become more complex and 26% of respondents, across all functions, believe it will involve much greater amounts of data. Globalization and the growing interconnectedness of companies and sectors will also multiply the number of variables companies must take into account.

I agree with page seven of the report: "Technology can enhance job satisfaction." I can also relate to the fact that:

Technology helps companies be more proactive, predictive, productive and personalized in their approach. Organizations can use it to enter new markets more efficiently, develop innovative business models, introduce products and services, and forge closer links between IT and lines of business. Cloud computing, for example, is liberating organizations from the need for in-house IT systems, which are expensive, time consuming and difficult to maintain. By using pay-as-you-use cloud services and handing over the management of applications and data to third-party providers, companies can improve flexibility, reduce overheads and benefit from constant cutting-edge technology. [emphasis added]

Cloud computing has allowed my colleagues and I at ROI3, Inc. has liberated us from the need for an expensive in-house IT system. Not having to dedicate financial and time resources to the maintenance of an in-house IT system has allowed my company to focus on activities directly related to revenue generation.

2. Lack of time is the biggest challenge. The ability of technology to help people do more with less does not always help executives save time. Some 45% of survey respondents cite time constraints as their prime problem, with people who feel they are successful in their current role most affected—46% compared with 39% of those who believe they are not successful.

Software tools such as over-the-top messaging, and VoIP services have facilitated the ability for my colleagues and I to collaborate regardless of people's locations. While I still see a great value in face-to-face meetings, I appreciate instant messaging and videoconferencing as powerful tools for long-distance collaboration.

3. Collaboration is crucial. Team-working is the new normal both locally and globally. Thirty-five percent of survey respondents believe work will require co-ordination between more people across multiple functions. Collaboration is the best way to make the most of individual expertise, respond swiftly to business problems and boost competitiveness. HR must optimize use of specialists and freelancers, and employees across functions must work with these temporary colleagues.

Page 12 notes that "millennials, young entrepreneurs and senior people can teach each other." Using technology effectively to facilitate the collaboration of people whom possess diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential for companies of all sizes to succeed.

4. Gaining new technology skills is the best way to advance professional goals. In the face of increased automation and technological advances, all organizational functions recognize the need to keep learning. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents include mastering new technology in their top-three ways to achieve career aspirations. Thirty-two percent cite acquiring new skills through education and training as the opportunity most likely to help them achieve their professional goals. This is becoming more important with the rise of millennials who are much more knowledgeable about technology than most of their seniors.

People of all ages must regularly learn new technology skills to remain relevant in a quickly changing world. Recognizing technology is disrupting the workplace, I spend a significant amount of my time learning new technical skills, whether in big data, analytics software and cloud-enabled collaborative applications to improve efficiency, in order to maintain my business as a forward-looking organization.

How is technology transforming your business functions? What new technology skills do you suggest people should learn?

Aaron Rose serves as President and CEO of ROI3, Inc., a Seattle, Wash.-based company that empowers people in emerging economies through innovative, technology-based solutions. He is also the editor of Solutions for a Sustainable World.

The Linkbook: South Africa's Latest Low-Cost Compact Computer

South Africa-based Vodacom announced the launch of the Linkbook, a low-cost compact computer designed specifically to provide users with simple and affordable Internet access. According to company’s press release, “The Linkbook’s operating system is geared primarily towards a user-friendly web experience; from email to social networking and browsing, as well as basic Open Office - everything a business entrepreneur, student or first-time PC user could need in a computer. Everything works off the desktop - including shortcuts to popular local online content and e-commerce websites - making it the most intuitive, simple to operate device of its kind available anywhere in the world.” (Photo: Vodacom)

The Linkbook, which has an embedded SIM card, as well as two USB ports, will be available on a 24-month contract at a subscription fee of R199 per month, including a monthly 300 MB data bundle, from participating Vodacom outlets, nationwide. The Linkbook website explains, “With an embedded HSDPA module for totally wireless internet connectivity, the attractively designed Linkbook is compact in size, has advanced design functionality, a user-friendly interface and the fact that everything works off the desktop - including easy-to-navigate shortcuts to popular online content and e-commerce web sites - makes it the most intuitive, simple to operate device of its kind.”

The Linkbook is targeted for markets where low PC penetration rates exist. While I have not tested the low-cost computer, I support any product that focuses on increasing Internet accessibility, thus closing the digital divide that exists in emerging and developing countries. In order to become a productive participant as an industrialized nation, low-cost computers and smartphones are essential for people to connect with a vital service, the Internet, which is used as an educational, economic, and health care tool to promotes sustainable development.