Zain taps Ericsson for 5G network

With a go-live date for commercial services before the end of 2019, Bahrain telco Zain has selected Ericsson to build a 5G network spanning radio access network (RAN) and core products and solutions.

Zain commissioned the new 5G technology to meet growing data traffic demands and deliver high-quality mobile broadband and fixed wireless experiences. The company expects the 5G network to foster industrial and societal transformation, being the base for specialised network services from new industry partners encompassing the automotive, health and energy sectors.

“This agreement marks a major milestone,” said Zain Bahrain’s chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa.

“Zain Bahrain is excited about the new strategic partnership with Ericsson to support, expand and speed up the deployment of the Kingdom’s 5G network.

“Zain Bahrain’s ability to provide the latest 5G revolution services comes under the continuous commitment to invest in Zain’s digitalization strategy to empower Zain Bahrain customers with solutions and services that are at the forefront of our digital future,” he added.

Under the contract Ericsson, Zain Bahrain’s existing network will be upgraded from LTE to 5G. In doing so, Ericsson is providing 3GPP standards-based 5G New Radio (NR) hardware and software from its Radio System portfolio, including Massive MIMO solutions.

Ericsson is also providing Cloud Packet Core and Voice over LTE technology. In addition to improving operational efficiency, the 5G-ready radio access and core network infrastructure also enhances network capabilities for IoT applications and other potential future services.

With its new deal, Ericsson now claims more than 70 commercial 5G agreements or contracts with unique communication service providers, of which 22 are live networks.