Light Reading launches AME research service

Online community Light Reading, a market leader for the global communications sector, recently launched its inaugural region-specific research service.

The new service will be dedicated to the telecom industries in Africa and the Middle East (AME). Light Reading's independent research group, Heavy Reading, will lead the initiative. Heavy reading personnel will be aided by representatives of Xalam Analytics, a new research venture headed by Guy Zibi.

The new service will incorporate Heavy Reading's telecom technology expertise with Xalam's knowledge of business, technology and politics in the Middle East and Africa. It will assist Heavy Reading's clients with developing businesses in AME markets.

“AME is a rich mix of opportunities and challenges for telecom network providers and technology suppliers,” Dennis Mendyk, vice president of research at Heavy Reading, said. “We’re excited to help our clients forge successful strategies in AME, and we’ve found the ideal partner in Guy Zibi and Xalam Analytics.”

Zibi, the managing director of Xalam, has credits including co-founding AfricaNext Research.

“AME markets are in the midst of deep transformational change, as business models evolve to capture the widely acknowledged upside of the market while adjusting to the challenges brought about by changes in technology, user demand, and relentless competition,” Zibi said.

This new service is the first of a full slate of online and media programs Light Reading plans to launch in AME markets.

“AME is an important opportunity for all of Light Reading, and we expect to play a leading role in providing the telecom industry with the knowledge and insight it will need to succeed in these critical regions,” Mendyk said.