Zain looks to progress from 5G with Huawei partnership

Zain has chosen Huawei to accelerate its upgrade from 4G to 5G and advance into so-called 5.5G across its markets with plans to develop new use cases, as the two signed a memorandum of understanding.

In a statement announcing the MoU (signed during MWC) with Huawei, Zain said the vendor will aid the group in optimising network architecture and extend 5G capabilities to support technologies such as IoT, ultra-reliable low latency communications. Real-time broadband communication harmonised communication and sensing.

Zain Group CTO Nawaf AlGharabally said the operator is aiming for a “seamless” experience for customers on 5G.

“Therefore, Huawei's network technologies will play a big part in user migration, 5.5G innovation, and intelligent network development fast-tracking the introduction of new digital services. Zain Group will work closely with Huawei to provide the required technologies that enables us to further advance AI and digital solutions that could immensely benefit our customers across multiple markets."

Huawei president of wireless product line Yangchaobin added: “In the future, 5G needs to support multi-dimensional services such as AR/VR, cloud gaming, passive IoT, autonomous driving, and so on. Therefore, both parties will need to pursue even deeper collaboration.