As 5G deployment gathers pace across the Middle East, effective regulation is critical to ensuring sustainable, inclusive growth. For Ali Ahmed, R&D Manager at ACES, that means helping bridge the gap between regional priorities and international best practice. 

Recently appointed Regional Chair for Small Cell Forum’s Regulation & Policy Group (RPG) in the Middle East, Ali is focused on supporting collaboration between industry and regulators to accelerate small cell network deployment across the region. 

Q&A with Ali Ahmed 

What motivated you to take on this new role within SCF? 

“The Middle East is at an exciting stage in its digital transformation. Collaboration between industry and regulators is essential if we want 5G and future networks to reach their full potential. Through SCF’s Regulation & Policy Group, we aim to align Middle Eastern policies with international best practice and support the rapid, cost-effective roll-out of small cell networks.” 

Tell us a bit about your background and areas of expertise?

“I have worked in network planning, optimisation and antenna design for more than ten years, with research covering non-terrestrial networks, 5G millimetre wave and software-defined networking. I am passionate about innovation and have published twelve IEEE papers and registered four intellectual properties in the areas of small cells, Open RAN, antenna design and SDN. These experiences give me both a technical and practical view of how networks evolve.” 

How does your work at ACES connect with SCF’s goals? 

“ACES is a neutral host company based in Saudi Arabia. We have delivered connectivity for metro systems, airports, stadiums, industrial sites and smart city projects. Our mission is to advance shared infrastructure and efficient deployment models, which aligns closely with SCF’s collaborative, cross-industry approach. Together, we can share lessons and develop frameworks that help everyone deploy faster and more sustainably.” 

You have mentioned collaboration with the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST). Why is that important? 

“Working closely with CST has given us valuable insight into how national policy can support innovation. It is a good example of how regulators and industry can cooperate to achieve shared objectives, and something I hope to encourage through my work with SCF.” 

SCF’s perspective 

Prabhakar Chitrapu, SCF Chair and Lead of the Regulation & Policy Group, welcomed Ali’s appointment: 

“Ali’s experience and technical leadership bring an important regional perspective to our global policy work. His deep understanding of local market conditions and his contribution to neutral host deployment models will strengthen our efforts to create scalable, sustainable approaches to small cell rollout worldwide.”