AI
Saudi Arabia
UAE
EgyptNokia and Zain KSA Unveil Saudi Arabia’s First Live Cloud RAN Network
3 min
Nokia and Zain KSA launched Saudi Arabia's first live Cloud RAN site, boosting digital transformation.
The trial achieved peak download speeds of 1,5 Gbps, enabling seamless media streaming.
Cloud RAN uses cloud technology to virtualise networks, offering faster roll-outs and cost efficiency.
Zain KSA and Nokia's partnership supports Saudi Arabia's goal of becoming a regional tech leader.
The initiative prepares the Kingdom for advanced digital services and potential future 6G connectivity.
Saudi Arabia has just witnessed a significant step forward in its digital transformation journey, thanks to Nokia and Zain KSA teaming up to launch the Kingdom's very first live Cloud RAN (Radio Access Network) site. Running trials from 24 December 2024 to 26 January 2025, the initiative delivered impressive download speeds hitting a peak of 1.5 Gbps—fast enough to stream all your favourite shows without interruption.
For those unfamiliar with the jargon, Cloud RAN is basically an innovative way of building mobile network infrastructures using cloud technology. Instead of traditional physical hardware, networks become virtualised, offering a slew of advantages such as easier and quicker roll-outs, improved efficiency, and significantly lower overall costs. And with these speeds, it's clear this isn't just hype; it's delivering the goods.
Importantly, what Nokia and Zain KSA have achieved aligns perfectly with the broader ambitions of Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom seeks to position itself as a tech powerhouse across the region and beyond. By using Nokia’s 5G anyRAN solution, the live trial demonstrated that operators and enterprise clients could scale their networks rapidly and efficiently, gearing up to meet rising demands for digital servises and advanced enterprise applications.
Commenting on this milestone, Eng. Mohammed AlNujaidi, Zain KSA's Chief Technology Officer, expressed the company's excitement for the development, describing it as an essential step in meeting customers' evolving digital expectations. According to AlNujaidi, partnering with Nokia to create the country’s first Cloud RAN site opens promising opportunities for innovative services and can decrease costs, letting Zain KSA adapt swiftly to both business customers and individual users, driving forward the Kingdom's wider digital transformation strategy.
Mohammad AlTayeh from Nokia, who heads the customer team at Zain Group, emphasised the long-term benefits of moving towards a cloud-native system. He explained that, aside from matching the performance levels of a conventional RAN, the cloud-native approach sets a strong foundation for future initiatives, like Artificial Intelligence-driven radio networks (AI-RAN), Open RAN developments, and even the exciting potential of 6G connectivity.
Overall, this launch signifies more than just achieving tech targets. It highlights how collaboration and innovation can truly boost Saudi Arabia's digital ambitions, paving the way for exciting developments across various industries. And it's fair to say, judging by the speed and efficiency demonstrated through this trial, the kingdom could well be one step closer to delivering on its ambitious vision of becoming a global leader in the digital realm.
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