Huawei and Saudi Arabian operator Zain KSA have unveiled the Riyadh Antenna Platform, a pioneering innovation designed specifically for the unique challenges of Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications market. Unlike traditional flat panel antennas, the Riyadh Antenna features a cylindrical structure that reduces its effective projected area (EPA) by 30% to 60%, minimizing wind resistance and physical stress on sites. This enables deployment in high-wind areas previously considered unsuitable, while lowering structural reinforcement costs and allowing faster, more flexible installations.
The antenna integrates multiple arrays within a compact design, maximizing network coverage without expanding its footprint—ideal for dense urban environments with limited site space. It also includes an integrated antenna information sensor unit (AISU) and remote azimuth steering (RAS) capabilities, enabling operators to remotely monitor performance and adjust the antenna’s vertical and horizontal beam direction. This two-dimensional beam adjustment surpasses traditional antennas that only allow vertical tilt, reducing maintenance visits and operational expenses.
This innovation follows Saudi Arabia’s recent landmark spectrum auction, where Zain secured 30 MHz in the 600 MHz band, increasing licensed frequencies by 27% to 1,400 MHz. The auction solidifies Saudi Arabia’s position as the leading G20 country in spectrum allocation below 6 GHz, creating optimal conditions for Huawei to introduce the Riyadh Antenna.
