Latest news with #digitalEconomy
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
MEEZA signs agreement with a global hyper-scaler to utilize the under-construction 4MW data centre capacity
Partnership to Leverage Expanded Data Centre Capacity Over a Term Exceeding 10 Years Doha, Qatar – MEEZA QSTP-LLC (Public), Qatar's leading Managed IT Services and Data Centres provider, is proud to announce the signing of a strategic long-term agreement with a global hyper-scaler, marking a major milestone in its growth trajectory and further solidifying Qatar's position in the global digital economy. This agreement will see the global technology leader utilize MEEZA's newly announced 4 Megawatt (MW) data centre expansion, which is part of the company's strategic efforts to scale up its digital infrastructure to meet demand. The total contract value exceeds QAR 350 million and spans a period of more than 10 years, underscoring the trust placed in MEEZA's world-class capabilities and the long-term vision of both organizations. Mr. Mohamed Ali Al-Ghaithani, Chief Executive Officer of MEEZA, stated: "This agreement reflects our firm commitment of enhancing digital capabilities across key sectors such as Government Sector, financial services, education, healthcare and smart cities. It also supports a wide range of advanced solutions in the areas of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, cloud services and cybersecurity. This collaboration stands as future evidence of MEEZA's strategic global position as a trusted partner and digital enabler for the world's leading technology companies. We take pride in our pivotal role in driving Qatar's digital transformation and contributing to innovation". The additional 4 MW capacity will be integrated into MEEZA's state-of-the-art network of data centres, engineered to deliver unmatched reliability, scalability and energy efficiency. This expansion aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the recently launched Digital Agenda 2030, reinforcing MEEZA's commitment to accelerating Qatar's digital transformation. -Ends- About MEEZA MEEZA QSTP-LLC (Public) is an established end-to-end managed IT services and solutions provider founded in Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), that aims to accelerate the growth of the country and the region through the provision of world-class services and solutions, while providing the Qatari people and others throughout the region with opportunities to undertake fulfilling careers in the IT industry. The company has five certified data centres, known as M-VAULTs, offering a guaranteed uptime of 99.98% built to comply with the most exacting international standards enabling businesses to benefit from greater efficiencies and reduce risks. MEEZA's offerings include Managed IT Services, Data Centre Services, Cloud Services, and IT Security Services, in addition to expertise in Smart Cities Solutions and Artificial Intelligence (AI). MEEZA has been honoured with several prestigious awards, including the Best ICT Service Provider Award for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024, in addition to the Best Cloud Solution Award of the Year 2022 at the Qatar Digital Business Awards, presented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. In addition, MEEZA won Most Innovative ICT Services Provider Award of the Year 2023 in Qatar by Global Business Outlook Awards. These prestigious recognitions highlight our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering outstanding services for our clients. For more information, please visit:
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Meeza in $96.15mln pact with global hyper-scaler; to utilise its 4MW data centre capacity expansion
Qatar - Meeza, Qatar's leading Managed IT services and data centres provider, has signed a strategic long-term agreement valued at more than QR350mn with a global hyper-scaler, marking a major milestone in its growth trajectory and further solidifying Qatar's position in the global digital economy. This agreement will see the global technology leader utilise Meeza's newly announced 4 megawatt (MW) data centre expansion, which is part of the company's strategic efforts to scale up its digital infrastructure to meet demand. The total contract value exceeds QR350mn and spans a period of more than 10 years, underscoring the trust placed in Meeza's world-class capabilities and the long-term vision of both organisations. "This agreement reflects our firm commitment of enhancing digital capabilities across key sectors such as government sector, financial services, education, healthcare and smart cities," said Mohamed Ali al-Ghaithani, chief executive officer of Meeza. It also supports a wide range of advanced solutions in the areas of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, cloud services and cybersecurity, he said, adding this collaboration stands as future evidence of Meeza's strategic global position as a trusted partner and digital enabler for the world's leading technology companies. The additional 4MW capacity will be integrated into Meeza's network of data centres, engineered to deliver unmatched reliability, scalability and energy efficiency. This expansion aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the recently launched Digital Agenda 2030, reinforcing Meeza's commitment to accelerating Qatar's digital transformation. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
E-commerce SME funding surge in north-west England
Revenue-based lender 365 Finance has observed an 'unprecedented' surge in demand for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) funding from e-commerce businesses in north-west England. According to the UK-based company, the development underscores the region's expanding digital economy and the influence of investments in tech hubs. The median advance for online businesses in the region has risen by 483% year-on-year, reaching £175,000 ($240,884). The region has also experienced an increase in the number of funding applications from e-commerce business owners. 365 Finance said the average monthly card sales for companies funded by it in the sector now stand at £110,000, surpassing other sectors. The group recently appointed Jagriti Singh as its new head of credit. Formerly the head of risk analytics strategy at Virgin Money, she has experience in overseeing change programmes, including data aggregation and reporting transformation, and driving automation to support compliance. Commenting on the development, Singh said: 'The most rewarding thing for us as a responsible lender is to be able to truly facilitate the growth of SMEs across the country, and to support those businesses which are both entrepreneurial and reinventing themselves. 'The north west's digital sector is currently experiencing unprecedented growth, with our data showing remarkable expansion in funding scale and frequency. The statistics show a real shift in the region's digital economy.' In February, 365 Finance secured a £150m debt facility with Pollen Street Capital, enabling the company to support more than £300m in annual loan originations. The facility included an Euro-denominated line to expand lending to Irish SMEs, furthering the company's reach. "E-commerce SME funding surge in north-west England – 365 Finance " was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa's fibre bottleneck needs a wireless breakthrough
South Africa's digital economy is accelerating fast. With a projected 92% increase in national data centre capacity by 2030, rising from 501.1 MW to 962.4 MW, according to Africa Data Centres, businesses across sectors are demanding faster, more reliable internet connections than ever before. However, there's a bottleneck that continues to frustrate progress: fibre deployment. Justin Mackenzie MD of VO Connect The narrative is familiar to anyone in the telco resale space. Despite fibre being available 'in the ground' or even within a building, getting a business customer live can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks. Between municipal wayleaves, permissions from landlords, construction delays, and scheduling issues with third-party contractors, the process remains stubbornly slow, even in metro areas. That's a month or more of lost productivity for the customer, and a month where the reseller isn't billing. In an economy where every day of uptime matters, this has real financial consequences. For businesses requiring immediate connectivity, it's a momentum killer. And for executives in large ISPs or telco integrators, it's a scale inhibitor. The result? Slow fibre installs are costing business growth. Above promises of faster fibre, the answer to this problem could lie with sidestepping the delay altogether. A growing number of resellers are leveraging wireless-to-fibre hybrid connectivity models. Instead of waiting for fibre, they are switching on business customers using high capacity, licensed microwave links, getting them connected in hours or days, then migrating them seamlessly to fibre when it's ready and continuing to use the wireless as a reliable backup on a fully redundant solution. This isn't a workaround. It's a strategic rethink. This model should become standard practice across the channel, capable of activating businesses in as little as 24 hours or less. Wholesale ISPs with their own deployment teams can significantly impact the efficiency of connectivity deployments and execute installations more rapidly than those who rely on outsourced field staff, ensuring that the lead to cash cycle can take place in less than one week. Additionally, operating microwave connectivity on licensed spectrum may help avoid the congestion and reliability issues that are sometimes associated with lower-tier wireless internet service providers using unlicensed bands. Another area of innovation is in contractual arrangements. Instead of offering separate agreements for different stages of connectivity, some providers now offer a single contract that encompasses both immediate wireless activation and eventual fibre service. In this model, wireless connectivity serves as an initial activation layer and later functions as a backup once fibre is in place. This approach aims to streamline the customer experience and provide continuity of service. The failover benefit is significant. In an environment where resilience is increasingly critical, especially with the rise of hosted cloud services, video collaboration, and latency-sensitive apps, having a secondary path baked in offers real peace of mind and zero downtime. For businesses seeking connectivity, faster deployment timelines can have a significant impact. With the ability to sign agreements, arrange installations the next day, and achieve connectivity in the next week, businesses could scale their operations more rapidly and respond to business needs more efficiently. This accelerated process has the potential to streamline business growth and operational agility. It's a model that's resonating strongly with ISPs and telco integrators that service large enterprises, mines, campuses, and other midmarket or multi-site operations. Especially in areas where fibre access is technically available but practically delayed. And with the government pushing for expanded broadband access in underserved areas, the flexibility of this model provides an immediate tool for digital inclusion. While fibre remains the long-term goal, licensed microwave allows for a rapid start. Critically, this isn't a compromise on quality. Microwave has often been misunderstood, but on managed spectrum with the right equipment, it's high capacity, stable, and perfect for enterprise workloads. The market perception is finally catching up. For a country stuck between growing digital demands and the slow pace of infrastructure rollout, that kind of responsiveness may be exactly what South Africa's connectivity landscape needs. About VO Connect VO Connect is a national licensed telecommunications provider operating on licensed microwave spectrum with fibre integration. Founded in the early internet era, VO Connect specializes in enabling ISPs and telco resellers to deliver agile, reliable connectivity to enterprise clients. Known for rapid deployment, service excellence, and creative problem-solving, VO Connect helps resellers unlock billing faster and scale smarter.
Geeky Gadgets
3 days ago
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
How Companies Secretly Use Your Data to Charge You More : Surveillance Pricing Explained
What if the price you pay for everyday goods and services wasn't just about supply and demand, but about you—your income, your location, even how long you hesitated before clicking 'buy'? Welcome to the shady world of surveillance pricing, where companies use your personal data to decide how much to charge you, often without your knowledge. Imagine booking a flight and discovering that someone sitting next to you paid significantly less, simply because their browsing history or zip code made them appear less willing to splurge. This isn't science fiction—it's a growing reality in today's data-driven economy, and it raises unsettling questions about fairness, transparency, and who really holds the power in the marketplace. In this breakdown, Robert Reich and Lina Khan uncover how businesses are using your personal data—from your geolocation to your online behavior—to manipulate prices and maximize profits. You'll learn about the hidden mechanisms behind these practices, from ride-sharing apps exploiting low phone batteries to test prep companies targeting specific demographics with inflated fees. But it's not just about the tactics; we'll also explore the ethical and legal battles surrounding this controversial pricing model, featuring insights from FTC Chair Lina Khan, a leading voice in consumer protection. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of the stakes involved—and the steps you can take to protect yourself in this increasingly opaque digital landscape. Are we witnessing innovation, exploitation, or both? Let's examine the evidence. Understanding Surveillance Pricing How Companies Use Your Data The foundation of surveillance pricing lies in the extensive collection of personal data. Companies gather this information through various channels, including your devices, online activity, and third-party data brokers. The data collected can include highly sensitive details, such as: Your physical location Income level Browsing history Behavioral patterns, such as how long you linger on a webpage or your mouse movements Geolocation technology plays a particularly pivotal role in this process. For instance, businesses can track your location to assess local economic conditions or demographic trends. A travel website might charge higher prices to users browsing from affluent neighborhoods, assuming they are willing to pay more. Similarly, ride-sharing apps have been known to increase fares for users with low phone battery levels, exploiting the assumption that they are less likely to delay their purchase. These tactics demonstrate how companies use personal circumstances to maximize profits, often at the expense of fairness. Real-World Examples of Discriminatory Pricing Surveillance pricing has led to numerous examples of discriminatory practices, disproportionately affecting certain groups and communities. Consider the following real-world scenarios: Test preparation services charging higher fees in areas with larger Asian populations, based on assumptions about demand for academic success. Internet service providers offering slower speeds at the same price in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, perpetuating digital inequality. In critical situations, the consequences of such practices can be even more severe. Imagine being charged inflated prices for essential items like medicine during a health emergency or for last-minute travel to attend a funeral. These examples highlight the darker side of surveillance pricing, where profit motives overshadow ethical considerations and consumer well-being. Such practices not only exploit vulnerable populations but also deepen existing inequalities. The Shady World of Surveillance Pricing Watch this video on YouTube. Dive deeper into AI business with other articles and guides we have written below. Ethical and Legal Challenges The ethical implications of surveillance pricing are profound and far-reaching. By exploiting personal data, companies can manipulate prices in ways that disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, raising critical questions about fairness and accountability. Should businesses have the right to use your data in this way? And what safeguards should exist to protect consumers? In response to these concerns, some governments and regulatory bodies are beginning to take action. Efforts to address the ethical and legal challenges of surveillance pricing include: Proposed legislation in several U.S. states to ban surveillance pricing outright. Stronger privacy laws aimed at limiting data collection and usage. Investigations by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into companies suspected of discriminatory pricing practices. These measures aim to create a more equitable and transparent marketplace. However, progress remains uneven, with many companies continuing to operate in legal gray areas. The lack of universal regulations leaves consumers vulnerable to exploitation, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement and global cooperation. How You Can Protect Yourself As a consumer, there are practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure to surveillance pricing and regain some control over your personal data. Consider implementing the following strategies: Use private browsing tools or virtual private networks (VPNs) to limit the data companies can collect about you. Clear your search history and cookies regularly to minimize your digital footprint. Install privacy-focused browser extensions to block online trackers and prevent companies from monitoring your browsing habits. These measures can help you safeguard your privacy and reduce the likelihood of being targeted by discriminatory pricing practices. While these tools are not foolproof, they represent an important step toward protecting your rights in an increasingly data-driven marketplace. Balancing Innovation and Ethics The practice of surveillance pricing highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and ethical responsibility. On one hand, this approach allows businesses to maximize profits by tailoring prices to individual consumers. On the other hand, it often does so at the expense of fairness, transparency, and consumer trust. The growing awareness of these issues has led to increased calls for stronger regulations, ethical data usage, and greater transparency in pricing practices. Addressing the challenges of surveillance pricing requires a collaborative effort. Policymakers must enforce regulations that protect consumers from exploitation, while businesses should adopt ethical practices that prioritize fairness and transparency. As a consumer, staying informed and taking proactive steps to protect your privacy can help mitigate the impact of these practices. The ongoing debate underscores the need for a careful balance between technological advancement and the protection of consumer rights in the digital age. By fostering accountability and ethical standards, society can ensure that innovation serves the greater good rather than perpetuating inequality. Media Credit: Robert Reich Filed Under: Technology News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
