Huawei ‘4.5G’ tests with STC, Zain both clear 1 Gbps
Chinese ICT solutions provider Huawei together with Saudi Telecom Company claimed to have successfully demonstrated its so-called “4.5G” technology achieving network throughput speeds in excess of 1.59 gigabits per second.
“This exceptional milestone will have great positive implications on network capabilities and the service experience enjoyed by our deserving customer,” said Nasser Al Nasser, SVP for technology and operations at STC. “We look forward to realizing the real value of this achievement in the STC network and as a direct benefit to the user.”
STC had commercially launched its LTE-Advanced network in January 2014.
Saudi Telecom offers mobile and fixed telecom services as well as corporate services. The telco also fully controls mobile operator Viva Bahrain and owns a 35% stake in Oger Telecom, which controls mobile operator Avea in Turkey and Cell-C in South Africa. The Arab telco recently obtained regulatory approval to acquire all the shares of its Kuwaiti mobile telephony operator Viva.
Zain tests 4.5G technology with Huawei
In related news, Kuwaiti mobile operator Zain has tested 4.5G mobile broadband technology in association with Chinese firm Huawei. The test showed claimed network speeds of 1 Gbps.
“In line with our strategy to place customers at the forefront of our priorities, we were keen on being the first in the region to build the necessary expertise to test this advanced technology and achieve the successful results we saw in preparation to launch it commercially,” said Zain Kuwait’s CEO Eaman Al Roudhan. “Earlier this year, we teamed up with Huawei to trial and implement 4.5G services on our network in Kuwait. With the implantation of further tests in the near future, we will be better prepared to launch the 4.5G technology commercially within the next three years as soon as compatible devices are available in the market.”
With the launch of “4.5G” technology. Zain said it’s looking to offer voice over LTE, and support for narrow-band “Internet of Things” and machine-to-machine applications.
Kuwait-based telecom operator Zain ended Q3 with 45.5 million customers in its global operation, which includes networks in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Sudan, South Sudan, Jordan and Bahrain.
