UAE telco Du has selected Ericsson’s radio access network (RAN) to address 5G uses such as massive IoT deployment.

Du, part of the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), will benefit from Ericsson’s 5G radio access network portfolio for 5G use cases such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), fixed wireless access (FWA), massive IoT, ultra-reliable low-latency (URLL) and application innovation,

Du selected Ericsson to deploy its 5G RAN products as part of a major network expansion and modernisation.

In line with UAE’s Vision 2021 to create a knowledge-based, sustainable economy in the emirates, Du will transform its RAN 5G network with the Ericsson radio portfolio.

This transformation will enable Du to address business opportunities and diverse 5G use cases across enterprise and industry verticals such as smart cities, manufacturing and health.

Following the deployment this year, which includes Ericsson AI-powered 5G network optimisation services using cognitive software, Du and its customers should benefit from a 5G RAN that can enhance versatility, improve capacity, increase cost efficiency and future-proof technology developments.

“Utilising the full power of 5G to support industries and empowering our customers to reap the full rewards of this technology is among our top priorities at Du,” said Fahad Al Hassawi, acting CEO of Du. “The technological evolution continues to accelerate at unprecedented speed, and it is our responsibility to ensure those we serve can capitalise on every related benefit and opportunity. Du has always enjoyed an excellent relationship with Ericsson. As such, we are delighted to be joined by the organisation as we pursue 5G radio network expansion and attempt to harness the full power of 5G. With a next-generation 5G radio network, Du will deliver newfound capabilities and further support the UAE’s digital transformation agenda.”

Fadi Pharaon, president of Ericsson in the Middle East and Africa, added: “The path to a digital future is paved through the power of transformative technologies such as 5G. Our new partnership with Du will deliver on that promise and enable an ecosystem of possibilities. We are pleased to work with Du on 5G technology as their new network infrastructure partner, gaining us new market position to further contribute to the development of the UAE digital society vision, empowering new services and use cases for consumers, enterprises and society at large.”

Ericsson has 127 commercial 5G agreements and contracts with communications service providers globally, of which 74 are publicly announced 5G deals, including 79 5G networks in 40 countries.