5G networks were first introduced five years ago, and since their initial rollout, this technology has transformed the way we live, connect, and work. This technology has enabled communications to move from voice and SMS to video and mobile communication networks. It has also enhanced new applications and services such as his glasses-free 3D, XR, and cloud phone to further enable new immersive and interactive experiences.
The rollout of 5G networks is progressing rapidly. As of June this year, there were over 260 commercial 5G networks, over 1.2 billion 5G users, and over 50,000 5G industry applications worldwide. Closer to home, Middle Eastern countries were among the first in the world to adopt this innovative technology. As a global technology giant, Huawei has been chosen as the partner of choice across the region thanks to its industry-leading technologies, products, and solutions, and strong track record of success. The company’s years of investment in research and development proved to be a key differentiator.
Investment in research and development
Huawei has significantly stepped up investment in research and development in recent years, allocating $23.2 billion in 2022 alone. This significant R&D investment represents 25.1% of the company’s annual revenue. Huawei has more than 114,000 employees, according to data revealed in the company’s 2022 annual report. An astonishing 55.4% of the total workforce is engaged in research and development. Huawei has one of the world’s largest patent portfolios. It boasts a total of more than 120,000 active patents as of the end of 2022.
“Huawei has invested the equivalent of more than 13 years in 5G,” said Emad Ahmed, chief expert at CNBG. Huawei Middle East and Central Asia.
“As a result, we have also created more than 115 million 5G users. 5G is widely used in the industry. In the Middle East, Huawei has launched 5G networks with 14 carriers since 2018. “We have supported the deployment of 5G and helped our customers lead the way in their 5G experience. When you look at numbers like this, the 5G business is definitely a huge success,” he added.
Promoting 5G in the GCC
According to Ahmed, GCC operators are also seamlessly integrating 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) into their commercial services. “Major carriers have launched wireless home broadband packages, attracting more than 2.5 million subscribers to date,” he continued.
In the Middle East alone, 60,000 5G leased lines have been developed. In other business areas, Huawei is working with oil and gas, port, and new city operators to leverage 5G’s low latency, high reliability, and large-scale uplinks to improve production and operational efficiency. , strengthen security operations, and significantly reduce OPEX in these scenarios. ability.
success story
To further illustrate Huawei’s progress in the region, Mr. Ahmed shared several 5G success stories, including:
Bahrain – stc
stc Bahrain has taken an early and decisive lead in 5G deployment in Bahrain. The latest wireless technology has already covered 1.64 million people, half of the country. In line with its vision to transform Bahrain into a ‘world-class digital enabler’, STC Bahrain recently unveiled plans to develop the foundations of a 5.5G network.
Oman – Omantel
The contribution of 5G to Omantel’s business success is evident in its ability to fill market gaps and create new use cases. The launch of fixed wireless access (FWA) addressed the demand for high-speed broadband in underserved areas and contributed to the company’s revenue and revenue. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, 5G has played a key role in meeting the growing demand for high-speed connectivity.
Kuwait – Zain
Zain Kuwait’s 5G traffic currently accounts for over 50% of its total wireless traffic, and the company ranks number 1 in the GCC countries in terms of 5G offload rate. Zain Kuwait is one of MENA’s leading telecom operators and has long been at the forefront of innovation as the first operator to launch commercial 5G services in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia – Zain
Since 2019, Zain has achieved significant business success with its early adoption of 5G services in Saudi Arabia. The company is now poised to go further with 5.5G and is strategically implementing carrier aggregation on top of 5G.
United Arab Emirates – du
du, a pioneer in 5G technology, has invested heavily in the development of network infrastructure, which has led to the expansion of 5G coverage across the UAE. Despite the long-term return on investment, du has already received a positive response from the market and has gained a significant number of his 5G and home wireless access subscribers.
new progress
As 5G technology gains worldwide attention, Huawei continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the upcoming rollout of 5.5G technology, Ahmed said.
The term “5G-Advanced” refers to the advancement and expansion of 5G technology and its role as an intermediate step and foundational bridge for the development of future wireless technologies. This advancement improves the technological capabilities of communication networks. The capacity could be increased by at least 10 times compared to standard 5G.
Additionally, 5.5G is expected to bring innovative capabilities such as comprehensive sensing, passive IoT, and native intelligence. 5.5G differentiates itself from previous generations by incorporating sensory communications that can convey complex multisensory data. These include taste, touch, smell, and potentially thought.
“This breakthrough enables unprecedented trans-sensory communication, promises a unique user experience, and powers digital and intelligent transformation across a variety of sectors, including naked-eye 3D technology, lowland economies, It will stimulate growth in areas such as the Internet of Everything,” Ahmed said. He explained.
Potential impact
The introduction of 5.5G will create a wealth of anticipated use cases and improve real-world experiences. Designed as an enhanced version of 5G, 5.5G promises faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved network reliability. As technology continues to evolve, it will bring innovative advances in a variety of areas.
Ahmed continued, “We are very excited about the possibilities that passive IoT and RedCap bring. Let me give you a simple example: Currently, in an inventory management warehouse, someone has to record inventory box by box. What if instead we had a stick-on, passive IoT barcode that instantly responded to all sensors throughout the warehouse with the click of a button? This would truly change the way we look at logistics. ”
Application and confirmation
Huawei has worked with more than 30 carriers around the world to conduct technical validation and application pilots of these technologies.
For example, the Telecommunications Digital Government Regulatory Agency (TDRA) declared victory for Phase II of its “5G-Advanced” pilot project. The project was implemented in August this year in collaboration with UAE telecommunications service providers etisalat by e& and du.
In September, Zain KSA announced new developments in its 5G-Advanced network in cooperation with Huawei. The two companies are currently working on the “5.5G Urban Innovation Project” with the aim of realizing an era of unparalleled connectivity.
Last October, du and Huawei announced the groundbreaking world’s first 5G Advanced (5G-A) demonstration Villa. 5G-A villas represent the seamless integration of cutting-edge technology. Deliver an unparalleled smart home experience enriched with applications such as naked-eye 3D and XR over a 10Gbps network.
Possible scenarios
In the 5.5G era, Huawei envisions the realization of the following scenarios.
3D without glasses
The glasses-free 3D industry ecosystem is rapidly maturing. Breakthroughs in technology such as cloud rendering and real-time 3D virtual humans are taking immersive experiences to new heights. In the future, more and more devices, such as mobile phones and televisions, will support glasses-free 3D. This increases data traffic by 10 times compared to 2D video.
automated guided vehicle
By 2025, there will be over 500 million smart vehicles on the road. Smart vehicles with high-bandwidth, low-latency networks will be able to share information with people, vehicles, roads, and the cloud in real time. In driver assistance scenarios, smart vehicles consume over 300 gigabytes of data each month for cloud-based model training and weekly algorithm updates. Autonomous driving scenarios increase data consumption by a factor of 100.
next generation manufacturing
Breakthroughs in capabilities such as network slicing and edge computing have increased the number of 5G private networks for enterprises by 100x. Furthermore, the market size has grown to over $10 billion. However, as production lines become more flexible, rely more on wireless networks, and more core production systems are deployed on the cloud, the requirements for 5G networks are increasing.
Generalized cellular IoT
With over 3 billion mobile IoT connections worldwide, 5G is now connecting more things than people. In the near future, 5G will support a wider range of IoT technologies, including medium-speed RedCap and passive IoT. This provides more options for different IoT scenarios and enables a more efficient flow of data, information, and computing power. For example, in the consumer electronics manufacturing sector, passive IoT can help provide visibility across the distribution and production chain. Validation tests showed a 30% increase in overall productivity.
intelligent computing
With the rise of new developments in AI, such as fundamental models, the demand for AI computing power is expected to explode. By 2025, this demand is expected to reach 100 times its current level. More advanced networking capabilities are key to unlocking the full potential of AI computing power. Truly intelligent connectivity requires increased network bandwidth and low latency. Additionally, as traffic models begin to change, future networks will need to become more autonomous and intelligent to provide a reliable experience.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and 5.5G
As the world moves into the 5.5G era, AI integration will revolutionize many fields by providing the high speed, low latency, and reliable connectivity that AI systems need for optimal performance. expected to occur.
For Mei Li, vice president of solutions marketing for Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, 5.5G will be a key enabler for advanced AI applications. These include self-driving cars and telemedicine procedures, and provide the network improvements needed to support these technologies.
“The introduction of 5.5G will push edge computing from the conceptual stage to a critical part of business strategy. It will enable faster data processing at the source rather than in distant data centers. It will also bring significant changes to urban development, manufacturing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), which will further drive more efficient and insightful business operations across the board.” explained.
IoT and safety measures
Meanwhile, when it comes to the IoT ecosystem, 5.5G will be central to creating a seamlessly connected world where AI can work in harmony with billions of devices to power automation and data analytics at scale. Lee believes this will play a role. “This will make our homes, agriculture and urban infrastructure smarter, increase productivity and promote better environmental management,” she continued.
Nevertheless, the introduction of 5.5G brings to the forefront the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive information and maintain privacy.
This technology is poised to meet the complex demands of AI-driven systems while prioritizing sustainability. This helps support expanding AI capabilities without negatively impacting the environment.
Overall, 5.5G is expected to lay the foundation for major advances in industry innovation and widespread application of AI.
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