Nokia and du Revolutionize Connectivity with First 5G Cloud RAN Deployment in Middle East and Africa

(IN BRIEF) Nokia and du have successfully launched the first commercial 5G Standalone Cloud RAN solution in the Middle East and Africa, marking a significant advancement in the UAE’s digital transformation goals. Utilizing Nokia’s flexible anyRAN approach, the deployment integrates virtualized Distributed and Centralized Units with Dell PowerEdge servers and Red Hat OpenShift for scalable and efficient network performance. This innovative solution supports advanced use cases in AI, machine learning, and industrial applications while enabling a seamless transition to cloud-native infrastructures. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to delivering transformative services and empowering industries with cutting-edge connectivity.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 7-Dec-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Nokia and du, a leading telecommunications and digital services provider in the UAE, have announced the successful deployment of the first commercial 5G Standalone Cloud RAN solution in the Middle East and Africa. This groundbreaking collaboration underpins du’s hybrid RAN strategy, blending purpose-built and cloud-native infrastructures to achieve greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency.

The deployment aligns with the UAE’s ambitious digital transformation goals, supporting next-generation use cases in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and industry-specific applications across manufacturing, logistics, and energy sectors.

Pioneering Cloud RAN Technology

The deployment in Abu Dhabi leverages Nokia’s cutting-edge anyRAN framework, integrating its virtualized Distributed Units (vDU) and Centralized Units (vCU) with Dell PowerEdge XR8620 servers and Red Hat OpenShift, the leading hybrid cloud application platform. This combination enables du to scale its 5G network more effectively and rapidly introduce innovative services. Nokia’s AirScale Massive MIMO Radios, operating on the 3.6 GHz spectrum with 5G Standalone architecture, further enhance the network’s performance and capacity.

Nokia’s Cloud RAN solution seamlessly coexists with purpose-built networks, allowing for a gradual transition to fully cloud-native environments. The solution ensures feature and performance consistency across hybrid and cloud-native RAN setups, offering flexibility for service providers to adapt to evolving market demands.

Transforming the Future of Connectivity

This deployment underscores Nokia’s anyRAN approach as a flexible and strategic solution for service providers and enterprises, helping them monetize their networks while meeting the growing demand for cloud-based RAN technologies.

Saleem Alblooshi, CTO of du, emphasized the significance of the collaboration:
“Our partnership with Nokia represents a transformative step in enhancing our network’s performance and scalability. By leveraging 5G Cloud RAN, we are positioned to unlock new opportunities and deliver cutting-edge services that create real value for our customers and the broader community.”

Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, highlighted the innovation-driven nature of the project:
“This partnership with du is about more than technology—it’s about shaping the future of connectivity. Under our anyRAN approach, we bring Nokia’s expertise in radio networks together with top-tier partner solutions to deliver unmatched flexibility, scalability, and innovation. Together, we are enabling transformative services that empower industries and individuals alike.”

Advancing Digital Transformation

This milestone marks a significant step in the evolution of 5G networks in the region, enabling service providers like du to harness cloud-native capabilities while preparing for future innovations in private wireless networks and AI-powered applications. The deployment is a testament to the potential of collaborative partnerships to drive technological advancements that shape the future of connectivity and digital transformation.

About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media Contact:

Nokia Press Office
Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

SOURCE: Nokia

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