Telecommunications
Telecommunications news covering 5G networks, broadband infrastructure, connectivity solutions, and telecom industry developments in Saudi Arabia and the region.

Ericsson enables efficient transformation to cloud native with new Compact Packet Core
The new Ericsson Compact Packet Core includes the cloud-native Packet Core Controller (PCC) and Packet Core Gateway (PCG) network functions on top of a compact, one rack, version of Ericsson’s Cloud-Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS). It is a global solution with pre-defined parameter settings and streamlined migration procedures that simplifies transition to cloud-native and maximizes efficient return […]

stc Group Receives Approval from the Spanish Council of Ministers as a Strategic Investor in Telefónica
stc Group receives strategic investor approval from Spanish Council of Ministers to increase voting rights to 9.97% in Telefónica, marking a significant milestone in its international expansion strategy. The Saudi telecom giant gains rights to board representation, strengthening its position as one of Telefónica’s largest shareholders.

MTN and ZTE launch 5G-A public experience in South Africa, achieving 9.2 Gbps download speed
2024-11-29 Group photo of the 5G-A event Cape Town, South Africa, 29 November 2024 – ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, in collaboration with MTN South Africa, has launched 5G-A public experience at the MTN Store in V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. The event achieved an ultra-download speed […]

2024 Broadband Development Congress whitepaper launch highlights Artificial intelligence’s (AI) role in sustainable fixed networks
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 29, 2024. The 2024 Broadband Development Congress: Cape Town, hosted by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) (www.WorldBroadbandAssociation.com) during Africa Tech Festival 2024, brought together global industry leaders and stakeholders from the operator, technology, ministerial, and banking sectors to address the critical challenges and opportunities in expanding broadband access across Africa. […]

Ericsson Mobility Report: 5G will outpace 4G in 2027
The November 2024 edition of the Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) Mobility Report, extends the forecast period until the end of 2030 and projects that global 5G subscriptions are expected to reach almost 2.3 billion by the end of 2024, amounting to 25 percent of all global mobile subscriptions. 5G subscription numbers are expected to overtake the […]

Ericsson Mobility Report: GCC countries projected to have highest 5G penetration in 2030
5G Standalone (5G SA) and 5G Advanced are expected to be key focus for communications service providers (CSPs) for the remainder of the decade as they deploy new capabilities to create offerings centered on value delivery rather than data volume. The analysis is included among a wealth of statistical network insights in the November 2024 […]

ZTE Global Services Ecosystem Forum paves the way for a new era of ecological cooperation in the MEA region
2024-11-27 Group photo of guests at the ZTE Global Services Ecosystem Forum 2024 in Egypt Cairo, Egypt, 27 November 2024 – ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, has launched the ZTE Global Services Ecosystem Forum 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. This marks the first time the ecological exchange event […]

Nokia and du conclude successful transport network slicing trial in UAE
26 November 2024Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Nokia today announced that it has successfully completed a network slicing trial with du, the leading telecom and digital services provider. This trial is the UAE’s first live transport slicing deployment which will allow the service provider to operate a variety of network services that cater to different […]

Nokia expands multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure datacenter networks
21 November 2024Espoo, Finland – Nokia has announced a five-year expansion of its multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure with datacenter routers and switches. Nokia’s data center networking portfolio will enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure datacenters around the world. The partnership will grow Nokia’s global footprint to over 30 countries and strengthen its […]

China Unicom Beijing and Huawei Announce World’s First Large-Scale Integrated 5G-Advanced Intelligent Network
[Beijing, China, November 24, 2024] China Unicom Beijing and Huawei held an event, “5G Capital on the Way – Lighting Up Beijing with 5G-Advanced,” to announce their deployment of the world’s first large-scale integrated 5G-Advanced intelligent network. The network supports a world-leading 5G-Advanced smart commercial complex, with high- and low-band integrated networking, at the Workers’ […]

TAWAL and 5SKYE Join Forces to Empower Saudi Arabia’s Digital Future
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 24, 2024 – TAWAL, the leading Saudi ICT Infrastructure Company, and 5SKYE, a pioneering provider of edge AI infrastructure solutions, have signed a partnership agreement to support the acceleration of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. Under the agreement, TAWAL and 5SKYE will jointly deploy 5SKYE’s next-generation 5G AI micro edge data centres, providing scalable, real-time […]

Mobily Concludes Participation in Connected World KSA, announcing Partnerships to enhance Digital Solutions and Carrier Services
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 20 November 2024: Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), Saudi Arabia’s leading technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) company, has successfully concluded its participation As a founding partner of Digital Infrastructure at Connected World KSA conference and exhibition, held in Riyadh on November 19-20, 2024. As part of its commitment to advancing digital connectivity and fostering […]

Nozomi Networks to Spotlight AI’s Impact on OT/IoT Security at Black Hat MEA 2024
Riyadh – Nozomi Networks, the leader in OT and IoT security, has announced its participation at Black Hat MEA 2024 (26-28 November), at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center, Malham, Saudi Arabia. Nozomi Networks will highlight its latest innovations, including Nozomi Arc, and Threat Intelligence Feed 3.0, all tailored to secure OT/IoT environments across energy, oil […]

Thunderbolt 5 Unleashed: A Leap Forward in Connectivity and Speed
The next generation of connectivity has arrived, promising to revolutionize data transfer and display capabilities, marking a significant milestone for tech enthusiasts and professionals in the Middle East.

GSMA M360 MENA opens in Doha with AI, digital partnerships at the forefront
Three regional partners have joined the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, while the GSMA’s latest Mobile Economy MENA report highlights significant genAI adoption across the region 18 November 2024, Doha: M360 MENA opened its doors in Doha today with Host Sponsor Ooredoo Qatar, in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Qatar. As mobile services are […]

Najm for Insurance Services Wins Prestigious “Best Call Center” Award at Saudi Customer Experience Awards
Riyadh – 14 November 2024: Najm for Insurance Services has been awarded the prestigious “Best Call Center for the companies with more than 1000 employees” at the Saudi Customer Experience Awards ceremony, held on Tuesday, November 13, in Riyadh. The event was attended by an esteemed group of business leaders, prominent figures, and professionals from across the […]

Zain KSA to support three local companies to achieve sustainability
Through the ‘Sustainability Champions’ program Zain KSA has signed the ‘Sustainability Champions’ charter with three Saudi ICT companies: THIQAH, Unifonic, and Perfect Presentation (2P). Supporting local companies in achieving sustainability transformation is part of Zain KSA’s role in the ‘Sustainability Champions’ program in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Planning. As part of the […]

PIF announces sale of 100 million shares in stc
PIF today announced the completion of the sale of part of its stake in the Saudi Telecom Company (stc) through an accelerated bookbuild offering. The offering comprised 100 million shares, representing 2% of stc’s issued share capital. The total value of the offering was SAR 3.86 billion ($1.03 billion), with a final offer price of […]

Nokia, Reflex and Net Nine Nine partner to bridge the digital divide in South Africa
12 November 2024Johannesburg, South Africa – Nokia, in partnership with Reflex and Net Nine Nine, will expand broadband access for underserved communities across South Africa. The collaboration, led by Reflex, will utilize Nokia’s fiber broadband solution to bring affordable broadband access to millions of people, supporting essential digital services such as online education, telehealth, and remote […]

Zain KSA Secures New Spectrum to Advance 5G SA Services
Continuous Strategic Investments to Achieve the Best User Experience, Zain KSA, the leading telecom and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia, has announced the acquisition of a new 600 MHz spectrum band, one of the most widely adopted bands for 5G Standalone (5G SA) mobile services. This milestone was achieved through the spectrum auction conducted […]

Nokia and Fibertime™ expand broadband access across South Africa’s underserved communities
Capetown, South Africa – Nokia announced today that Fibertime will rapidly deploy its fiber solution to expand broadband access to underserved regions of South Africa. Fibertime will quickly connect the next 1.5 million customers leveraging Nokia’s Lightspan FX Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) and Wi-Fi 6-enabled Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). Nokia’s technologies enable Fibertime’s flagship product, […]

5G Advanced: The invisible upgrade that could transform daily life
By Rakesh Lakhani, Head of Networks Solutions, Ericsson Middle East and Africa When 5G first arrived, it was advertised as a revolution in connectivity, promising blazing speeds and instant data access. But for most of us, the experience has been more evolutionary than revolutionary. At face value, videos load faster, and downloads complete in seconds, […]
