UAE-based telco Etisalat has announced that it will invest $1.08 billion in network upgrade in 2019, a senior executive from the firm announced recently.
According to a recent report by WAM, Dr. Ahmed bin Ali, senior vice president, Corporate Communication, Etisalat, said that the upgrade will cover the company’s mobile phone and fiber optic networks, along with infrastructure development as well as Etisalat’s 5G network.
The Etisalat exec made the statement at the sidelines of a technology roadshow the telco hosted cooperation with Ericsson, which delved into emerging trends such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and automation.
“Etisalat embarked on its 5G journey in 2014 and last year the first commercial 5G wireless network in the UAE was launched with speeds as much as 20 times faster than 4G,” said Ali.
Etisalat recently became the first operator to launch the first commercial 5G wireless network, the first to offer 5G device for consumers and the first mobile operator to provide 5G coverage inside an international airport Middle East and North Africa region.
The roadshow titled ‘Barcelona Unboxed’ highlighted the latest technologies showcased in Ericsson’s hall during the Mobile World Congress 2019 held early this year. The roadshow held at Etisalat’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi offered the visitors an opportunity to interact with global experts, experience path-breaking demos and attend in-depth seminars.
Saeed Al Zarouni, senior vice president, Mobile Network at Etisalat, said, “5G is now a reality due to Etisalat’s continuous efforts in building and investing in future networks to enable innovation, and accelerating digital transformation. We are pleased to have partnered with Ericsson to provide a platform for UAE residents to experience 5G and IoT innovation firsthand and to meet experts discussing the latest trends and technologies shaping the Information and Communications Technology, ICT, industry today and in the future. This is in line with our strategy to ‘Drive the Digital Future to empower societies’.”
Rafiah Ibrahim, Head of Market Area Middle East & Africa at Ericsson, said, “In line with our continuous effort to support the UAE’s digital agenda, we are collaborating with our long-standing partner Etisalat, making 5G a reality in UAE and the region.”
Etisalat is expanding 5G network sites to enable 5G coverage across the UAE. With 5G technology, consumers will witness unprecedented network speed and low latency enabling users to enjoy uninterrupted high-speed and high-resolution 4K videos, augemented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) services, cloud gaming and much more.
‘Barcelona Unboxed’ also featured 5G football VR, MediaKind Live Sports Delivery in 360VR, a city model, and an Industry 4.0 demo.
