Dubai - MENA Herald: Nokia Networks and du, the Middle East’s fastest-growing telecom service provider, are showing the possibilities of 5G systems for future ultra-broadband and critical machine-type communication for the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city applications. The 5G radio demonstration at GITEX* Technology Week features for the first time in the Middle East live, ultra high-speed communications of up to 10 Gbps over the air in the promising mmWave band. The two companies today signed an MoU on a set of common objectives for the development and evolution of 5G and IoT. The agreement was signed by Farid Faraidooni, Chief Operations Officer at du, and Danny Atme, Head of Market Unit, Lower Gulf, Iran and Pakistan (LGIP), Nokia Networks, in the presence of other senior officials.
5G will drive growth in many industry sectors
Network speeds as high as 10 Gbps and with extremely low latency are a driving force for new applications that use massive broadband capabilities. 5G will be the platform to enable growth with many smart city use cases, from IT to automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and entertainment. The extremely fast broadband speed can offer users enough capacity wherever they go without a drop in speed or connection. They can, for example, download a full-length HD video in a matter of seconds. Augmented and virtual reality services will be available at your fingertips.
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Nokia Networks and du pave the way for 5G:
- The 5G system being demonstrated by du and Nokia Networks uses very high bandwidth, smart antennas, and next generation multi-carrier modulation to achieve ultra low latency and impressive peak data rates of 10 Gbps. This 5G radio proof-of-concept was developed in cooperation with National Instruments (NI).
- In the scope of the MoU, the parties agree to leverage their combined expertise and enhance cooperation and testing of future-ready 5G technology. The MoU will also include collaboration and consulting in terms of the introduction and trial of Nokia Networks small cells, Centralized RAN, multi-vendor Self-Organizing Networks (SON) and IoT as well as the evolution to telco cloud and Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets).
Saleem Blooshi, Executive Vice President of Network Development and Operations at du, said: “We are very pleased to show a next generation 5G prototype in cooperation with Nokia Networks at GITEX Technology Week, and to continue leading the development of future technologies for the benefit of our industry and society as a whole. Given the complexity of the evolution to 5G, Nokia Networks’ strong portfolio, innovation capabilities and clear roadmap are key to a successful journey.
He continued: “As a UAE national company, it is an honour to support the progressive vision of our leaders. Bringing a 5G prototype to the region is an initial step that will ensure the rapid realisation of our smart city ambitions and reaffirm our commitments to addressing its extensive requirements.”
This is yet another feat for du in the realm of deploying advanced network technology. Earlier this year, du became one of the few operators in the world to start deployments supporting LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) or 4G+. du effectively demonstrated LTE-A with 900 Mbps over its LTE network at GITEX 2014.
Tony Awad, Head of du Customer Team at Nokia Networks, said: “This agreement reinforces the leadership of du and Nokia Networks in promoting and delivering innovative technologies. We’re collaborating to share our experience, skills and expertise to accelerate developments in 5G and IoT technologies, and the network evolution. This is yet another step forward towards Nokia’s vision of expanding the human possibilities of the connected world.”