Nokia and Du Unveil the Middle East’s First Commercial 5G Standalone Cloud RAN Solution in Abu Dhabi
In a significant leap toward digital transformation, Nokia and Du, a leading telecommunications and digital services provider in the United Arab Emirates, have announced the launch of the region’s first commercial 5G Standalone Cloud RAN (Radio Access Network) solution. This deployment, situated in Abu Dhabi, integrates Nokia’s innovative anyRAN architecture seamlessly with cutting-edge cloud-native infrastructure, paving the way for a suite of advanced applications including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and solutions tailored for various industries such as manufacturing, energy, and logistics. This venture serves as a cornerstone of Du’s hybrid RAN strategy, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to a digital future.
The backbone of this deployment comprises Nokia’s virtualized Distributed Units (vDU) and Centralized Units (vCU), which are operated on Dell PowerEdge XR8620 servers. Furthermore, the orchestration is facilitated through Red Hat OpenShift, a robust Kubernetes-based hybrid cloud platform that enables agile service introduction and flexible scaling. This architecture ensures that regardless of the demands placed upon the network, an unwavering consistency of features is maintained across both cloud-native and dedicated RAN environments.
Enhancing the performance of this architecture, Nokia’s AirScale Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) Radios, which are tuned to operate on the 3.6 GHz (n78) spectrum, introduce a significant enhancement in throughput and connectivity. This technological advancement guarantees that users experience a superior quality of service that befits the standards expected from next-generation mobile communication.
This achievement is not merely a technological milestone but also highlights the scalability and adaptability intrinsic to Nokia’s anyRAN approach. By facilitating the transition to hybrid and fully cloud-native networks, this solution allows service providers to meet the escalating demands for RAN cloudification. It opens up new avenues for network monetization, allowing operators like Du to innovate and expand their service offerings in response to an increasingly digital society.
The collaboration between Nokia and Du stands to deliver a plethora of innovative use cases. By leveraging AI and private wireless technologies, this initiative seeks to foster new business opportunities and enhance operational efficiencies across various sectors. The deployment is expected to play a crucial role in advancing smart city initiatives, boosting industrial efficiency, and augmenting public safety systems.
Saleem Alblooshi, Chief Technology Officer of Du, articulated the transformative potential of this collaboration, stating, “Our collaboration with Nokia represents a major leap forward in du’s mission to deliver exceptional network performance and innovative services. Leveraging 5G Cloud RAN will not only enhance our network’s efficiency and flexibility but also enable us to explore new opportunities and services that can deliver genuine value to our customers and society at large.”
Key Components of the 5G Standalone Cloud RAN Deployment:
– Deployment Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
– Technology: Integration of Nokia’s anyRAN with virtualized Distributed and Centralized Units, supported by Dell servers and Red Hat OpenShift, along with AirScale Massive MIMO Radios.
– Network Type: 5G Standalone Cloud RAN
– Spectral Bandwidth: Operating on the 3.6 GHz (n78) spectrum.
– Target Applications: Diverse fields including AI, machine learning, manufacturing, energy, and logistics.
– Core Benefits: Enhanced flexibility, scalability, and improved network performance.
In summary, the introduction of the 5G Standalone Cloud RAN solution represents a watershed moment not only for Du and Nokia but also for the broader telecommunications landscape of the UAE and the Middle East at large. As cities and industries evolve, this innovative deployment stands poised to significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of services, ultimately driving economic growth and societal benefits.
Such advancements underscore the importance of collaboration between technology providers and telecom operators in fostering a connected, intelligent future for communities across the region.
Tags: #BusinessNews, #EconomyNews, #TelecomNews, #UAE, #AbuDhabi