Zain KSA, a leading telecoms and digital solutions provider in Saudi Arabia, and Nokia inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the realm of 5G Cloud RAN infrastructure. The strategic collaboration signifies a pivotal step towards unlocking the potential of next-generation telecommunications technology, offering cutting-edge solutions and an enhanced user experience. The MoU was signed during LEAP24, the third edition, of the global tech event hosted in Riyadh from March 4 to 7, 2024.

Through the MoU, Zain KSA and Nokia will study the deployment of Cloud RAN infrastructure for specific areas, including individual and enterprise services. This collaboration is poised to revolutionize the telecommunications landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, enhancing the network’s efficiency and delivering cutting-edge solutions. 

About the partnership, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, COO at Zain KSA, stated, "The development and innovation process is an ongoing process at Zain KSA, where we always seek to discover advanced technologies and bring them to the Kingdom to develop solutions and services for the next-gen future. We then employ these technologies to serve the Kingdom’s digital transformation, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and provide the best digital experience to our customers. This collaboration with Nokia exemplifies our commitment to driving innovation and delivering world-class telecommunications solutions. By exploring Cloud RAN technology, we aim to enhance network performance, reliability, and scalability, ultimately enriching the digital experiences of our subscribers."

Eng. Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President, Mobile Networks Market for the Middle East and Africa, remarked, "Partnering with a leading digital services provider like Zain KSA is a great opportunity to explore the potential of Cloud RAN technology. Nokia's expertise in fixed and wireless communications, combined with Zain KSA's market leadership in the Kingdom, positions us well to drive transformative change in the telecommunications sector. Together, we aim to unlock new opportunities." 

The partnership between Zain KSA and Nokia marks a significant milestone in the journey towards 5G innovation in the Kingdom. By joining forces, both entities are poised to redefine the standards of excellence in telecommunications and pave the way for a connected future.