In our 5 minutes with profiles, MEF members talk about their business, their aspirations for the future and the wider mobile industry. This week Naji Bouhabib, CEO, introduces Middle East Based VAS provider Mobile Technology Tomorrow – MT2

What does MT2 do?

Mobile Technology Tomorrow (MT2) is a leading Value Added Service Provider and is seamlessly integrated into the telcos and digital ecosystem as a preferred partner in the MENA region. It was recognised at the Telecom Review Summit Award 2013 for Best Mobile Application Developer, and in 2012 MT2 signed an MOU with Qualcomm.

MT2’s global reach is across 14 countries and 33 operators reaching over hundreds of millions of customers on a daily basis. This pioneering mobile monetization “School of VAS” provides many competitive advantages within the niche telecom market through its exclusive know-how, in-house solutions and technology, property content, media channels and mobile applications development etc. Our reach and expertise ensures that business growth is delivered to all partners by minimizing time to launch and go to market as well as retain cost effectiveness.

When did MT2 launch and what growth have you seen?

Established in 1998, MT2 has grown from strength to strength in the region and we are trail blazing the path to success and global expansion. Our winning horses are perceived as mentoring milestones in the Telecoms and Mobile industries in the region and we aim to replicate our success in emerging and developed markets.

Since 1998 MT2 has expanded its range of services and solutions from VAS, property content, in-house technology, media channels, mobile app development facilities to mobile payment & mobile advertising and more.

Our “regional pioneering” reputation alongside its innovative deliverables presented to both the local and intercontinental markets have cemented ties with clients. MT2 remains aware of the fluctuation of technology in terms of trends of evolution. As a result, simultaneous projects and solutions are continuously being implemented to address all new emerging needs based on market trends and customer knowledge.

What are your main goals?

Our vision in 2014 is to be THE preferred partner across the region and to globally reach the Americas and African countries through new trusted partners, serving the needs of hundreds of millions of customers on a daily basis.

As part of our strategic plans and set of objectives, MT2 aims at maintaining its solid standing within the Middle East area as a leader in mobile monetization. This consolidation also represents the fruit of its strong lobbying in the region and relationships across the regulatory and telecom & ISP landscape.

We aim to grow talent in the region and build on working with the best technology and talent, ensuring that we are the leading companies in the region not only from a business standpoint but also from an operational and human organizational standpoint.  We offer the best technology and aim to create a workplace where ideas and dreams are monetized and become a reality as well as the added benefit of monetizing assets across the region.

Where do you see MT2 in three years’ time?

By the year 2017, MT2 forecasts the launch of winning products, mainly in mobile payments and mobile advertising, while conserving its robust positioning within the MENA region.

This innovation will consist of combining both the VAS flair with the mobile app development spirit for a revolutionary new understanding as well as usage of Telecom and Mobile Applications.

By doing so, MT2 will target a higher reach by acquiring additional partnerships throughout the Americas and Africa. It also aims at serving African nations with state-of-the-art mobile monetization facilities for competitive costs and strategic go to market partnerships. We will be THE go to partner in all markets by 2017 due to our positioning and market expertise.

Our focus will also be the affiliation with specialized media and content partners in order to optimize the exposure of all content property facilities and in-house technology services.

What aspect of mobile is most exciting to you right now?

Since convergence, digital technology, customer experience and strategic alliances now drive the market, the usage and capacity of mobile is hence in simultaneous transformation. Mobile is not only a disruptor but a transformer of products and experience. Content and discovery still remains unquestionably one of the most vital resources in the telecom business and we aim to be pioneers in this space and create services that keep customers engaged and involved at an organic level.

The actuality of data in high capacity, coupled with the increase of smartphone usage has generated a boom in the development of mobile applications and we are integrated into the heart of developers and technology in the region with our affiliate company, apps2you.

What’s the most critical issue that will hit mobile within the next 12 months?

MT2 is at the heart of disruption, convergence, innovation and creation of services across the digital ecosystem that positions mobile/tablets/wearable technology as THE places to be within both the local and international markets. We believe that the OTT threats and implosion of VOIP, data and cloud computing has shaken up the world as we knew it a decade ago and the only people who will survive are those who are flexible and able to truly offer the customers a superior experience that crosses all gaps of technology and interface.

Apart from your own, which mobile companies are the ones to watch in the year ahead?

MT2 believes that the ones to watch are the players in the VOIP space; the Mcommerce and payments space, Google’s acquisition of Nest in “the internet of things” and the potential turnaround of operators who are innovative and can turnaround the more innovative services using operator billing and infrastructure. Big data and video services are also eating into the telco market and we are waiting to see what comes next, knowing that we are positioned to be a pioneer player in the digital landscape! As James Bond said, we like things “Shaken, not stirred“!

Naji Bouhabib is CEO of Mobile Technology Tomorrow – MT2 – follow them on Twitter