Selim Bouri

To maintain the growth and development of the Middle-Eastern and North-African advanced communications and collaboration solution markets, Airbus has appointed Andrew Forbes as the new Head of the Middle East and North-Africa region of Secure Land Communications. As of the 2nd of September, he has replaced Selim Bouri who has moved on to another position within Airbus. Tetra technology expert Andrew Forbes will build on Airbus’s strong performances in delivering the latest Tetra technology Andrew Forbes will build on Airbus’ previous strong performances in delivering the latest Tetra technology in those regions, targeting new markets, and developing mission critical-solutions tailored to customers’ needs. “We strongly intend to intensify efforts made in the fields of public safety networks, defense, transportation, energy and other critical industries such as the mining sector, in order to bring forward innovative and customized solutions that surpass competitors. In the Middle East region in particular, we can build on our excellent existing customer relations”, says Andrew Forbes. Hybrid technologies and data-driven services He adds, “Our customers, particularly in the Middle East, are forerunners in mission-critical technology solutions. They are expecting their systems to follow the same megatrends that the civilian ones are following while maintaining the most important features such as security, reliability, resiliency, and of course, voice. Our aim is to bring forward hybrid possibilities, seamless connectivity, data-driven services, and applications with extremely high security standards while maintaining flawless voice services”, he adds. With a Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology Service Management from Northampton University, and a Diploma in Company Direction, Andrew Forbes has 36 years of experience in the implementation, operation, and management of geographically dispersed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and is an experienced communications and structured cable design engineer. Secure Communications division head In addition, Andrew Forbes has extensive experience in military communication services as he started his career in the British Armed Forces and has also worked for the NATO Communications and Information Agency. He has spent a total of ten years in Saudi Arabia, and joined Airbus in 2014 to become Head of GPT Special Project Management Ltd., part of Airbus Defense and Space’s Secure Communications branch.  Andrew Forbes first served as Operations Director before becoming the Managing Director responsible for a 542-person team in 2017. He is based in Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and oversees more than 95 employees in the offices located in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

To maintain the operations of Beijing’s public safety Tetra network around the clock, Airbus signed a three-year contract with the operator Justtop to provide a wide range of services until end of 2020. It includes on-site support, maintenance services and a 24/7 emergency support with trouble shooting competences. Furthermore, Airbus will install a help desk for the shared network. “Our extensive service also includes the frequency planning and hardware part replacement, if necessary,” said Selim Bouri, Head of Middle East and Asia-Pacific for Secure Land Communication at Airbus. “Reliability and experience is at the heart of this project. These notions are not just words for us. We thrive for it.” Flexible Commnunication The shared network serves various government authorities, including the municipal government, the emergency response office, armed police, traffic police, fire fighters, ambulance services and utility companies. Airbus has supplied nine switches in two switch centers and more than 550 base stations with five phase projects. The network serves approximately 110,000 subscribers. It is Asia’s largest Tetra network. The Beijing Government Shared Network, has been using Airbus technology for the most prestigious events and summits in China since its inception in 2003. For instance, it was indispensable for the Olympic Games in 2008, the APEC Economic Leaders' meeting in 2014, the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in 2015 and 'The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation' in 2017. The network provides essential and flexible communication services for the Chinese capital and continuously serves public safety agencies.

Airbus has provided reliable and secure radio communications technology to protect the “Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation” in Beijing. 20 heads of state and 1,200 high-level participants from international organizations gathered the last two days to discuss economic development and cooperation in Asia. The Chinese capital’s mission-critical radio network “JustTop” for police and rescue services, based on Airbus Tetra (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) technology, contributed to the conference’s success. Huge Potential In Asia “Airbus has always been a frontrunner in Professional Mobile Radio technology and our experience allows extremely reliable solutions”, says Selim Bouri, Head of Sales and Program Delivery Middle East and APAC of Secure Land Communications at Airbus. “In China, we have accomplished large-scale network projects. Such mission-critical communications technology based on the Tetra standard has huge potential in all Asia, whether in public safety or industries,” he adds. In recent years, Airbus used repeatedly its technical competence to provide additional network infrastructure for large sport events or political summits. Tetra technology laid the foundation for secure communications, enabling the security forces to coordinate their work efficiently. Being the largest Tetra network in the region Asia-Pacific and second largest of its kind worldwide, the Beijing JustTop Tetra network has around 110,000 subscribers of public safety organizations: police, emergency response officers, firefighters, ambulances, and the municipal government. It comprises nine DXT-series switches and 550 base stations. It covers not only the city area, but also metro lines, highways, important buildings, and several counties. Since its inception in the year 2003, it has supported many prestigious events, such as the Olympic Games in 2008 or the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in 2015.

Selim Bouri is a top manager experienced in the field of critical communications In the course of reinforcing its presence in the Asian and Middle-Eastern radio communications markets, Airbus has appointed Selim Bouri as the new Head of Sales & Program Delivery for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific of Secure Land Communications. He will build on Airbus’ previous strong performances in delivering the latest Tetra technology in Asia and the Middle East, targeting new markets and additional regions. Professional Mobile Radio Network “In the future, we will boost our existing excellent customer relations and clearly explain how they can obtain broadband technology,” says Selim Bouri. Offering a hybrid solution with the help of Tetra and the Tactilon Suite product family, Airbus will support Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) network owners in the process of their migration to broadband. In addition to intensifying existing partnerships, Selim Bouri intends to enlarge the footprints in the fields of public safety networks, transportation, energy, and the mining sector. “Our project references in Asia and the Middle East show that we can deliver innovative and customized solutions that outpace competitors,” explains Selim Bouri. “The demand for extremely reliable PMR technology is increasing in both regions—and Airbus will be there to discuss the best solutions to protect people and businesses.” Critical Communications Experience Selim Bouri is a top manager experienced in the field of critical communications. Having graduated as aeronautics engineer from the Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE) in Toulouse, France, he started his career in the aerospace industry before moving to the PMR sector. He held top management positions covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. Before joining Airbus, he held positions at the companies Nortel Networks, Powerwave Technologies, and Kapsch. Selim Bouri is based in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and oversees more than 95 employees in the offices in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.