5g

TAWAL and Huawei signed an Indoor Building Solutions partnership agreement at LEAP 2026 to deploy 5G and all-fiber networks across Saudi Arabia.

stc group and Ericsson signed a multi-year deal at LEAP 2026 to expand 5G network coverage across Saudi Arabia using new 600 MHz spectrum radios.

Communications Minister Al-Swaha reported 99% basic telecom coverage in Al-Baha and Asir, outlining 2028 expansion targets for 5G and fiber networks.

Saudi Arabia has expanded fiber optics coverage to 5.8 million homes, reducing the digital divide to 1% while ranking among the top five globally.

stc group and Huawei have completed the world’s first commercial deployment of the MB² microwave solution in Saudi Arabia, reducing antenna counts by up to 90%.

Huawei has launched the HUAWEI Pura 90s series in Saudi Arabia, featuring 5G+ connectivity, a 200MP telephoto camera, and pre-orders starting July 20.

Samsung and MediaTek achieved a 670 Mb/s uplink throughput in a joint test using a five-layer uplink configuration.

Broadcom and Samsung have introduced a new integrated 5G and Wi-Fi 8 FWA platform designed to lower power consumption and improve home broadband connectivity.

Qualcomm introduces Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 chips for mid-range and budget smartphones. The new processors feature improved performance, gaming capabilities, and connectivity features.

Nokia and Orange partner to develop AI-RAN capabilities with Nvidia support, focusing on network performance, energy efficiency, and 6G readiness through GPU-accelerated radio processors and AI integration.

ZTE Corporation and CIMB Bank Berhad signed an MoU on April 14, 2026, to support 5G deployment and digital infrastructure across ASEAN. The agreement covers Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Vodafone Oman and Red Hat are consolidating the operator’s IT infrastructure on Red Hat OpenShift, targeting 100% cloud-native production workloads by 2028 to cut costs and support 5G growth.

GSMA Intelligence’s 5G Connectivity Index benchmarks 46 markets and finds that coverage alone no longer defines 5G leadership. Advanced capabilities, from standalone networks to industrial IoT, now separate the leaders from the rest.

Ookla’s Q4 2025 Speedtest Intelligence data shows Apple’s C1X modem matches Qualcomm’s X80 in downloads and latency, while trailing by up to 32% in upload speeds.

BICS, a Proximus Global subsidiary, will upgrade its Netcracker Digital OSS deployment as part of a strategic modernization program covering all core OSS components. The initiative targets stability, security, and long-term platform support for wholesale and carrier services.

Experts at MWC26 Barcelona said IoT satellite connectivity combined with 5G is expanding use cases from emergency vehicle calls to cattle tracking. Specialists from Deutsche Telekom, Verizon Business, and Skylo Technologies addressed certification, cost, and coverage challenges.

Global cellular IoT module shipments grew 15% year-on-year in 2025, led by smart meters, PoS terminals, and automotive demand, Counterpoint Research reported.

ZTE unveiled its AI-native Telco Service Agent at MWC Barcelona 2026, enabling natural language control of personalized 5G experiences and a shift toward on-demand “Experience as a Service” for operators.

ZTE Corporation unveiled the ZTE AIR MAX solution at MWC Barcelona 2026, targeting energy, labor, and investment efficiency for AI-era mobile networks. The solution introduces a three-tier capability system built on a 10-block full-stack AI framework.

Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm said at MWC 2026 that standalone 5G is now essential to support AI-driven applications at scale. Singtel CEO Yuen Kuan Moon highlighted network slicing as a new revenue opportunity across multiple industries.

Nokia and Nvidia detailed GPU-accelerated AI-RAN trials with T-Mobile, Indosat, and SoftBank at MWC26 Barcelona, with Nokia targeting a first commercial release in 2027.

New Ericsson ConsumerLab study finds half of Saudi consumers willing to pay for guaranteed 5G network performance, with assured quality accounting for 53% of mobile plan decisions.