Rakuten Symphony and Zain Kuwait have partnered to pilot Kuwait’s first cloud-native Open RAN deployment, utilizing advanced virtualized software to deliver 5G Standalone sites. This project marks a significant step toward network agility and scalability, supporting a wider Open RAN rollout across the Zain Group’s Middle East and North Africa operations.
Zain Kuwait and Rakuten Symphony have signed an MoU to pilot Kuwait’s first cloud-native Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), deploying 5G Standalone sites with Rakuten’s virtualized Open RAN software. The initiative aims to boost network agility, efficiency, and scalability, marking a key step in Zain’s regional digital innovation.
Nokia and TAWAL have launched the world’s first live multi-tenant Open RAN edge-cloud platform, enabling mobile operators and enterprises to offer 5G services at lower costs. This breakthrough allows multiple service providers to share infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs, while supporting Saudi Arabia’s smart city projects.
Nokia and Tawal have completed a live demo of a shareable multi-tenant 5G infrastructure solution, enabling operators to share 5G platforms at lower costs. The solution, showcased at LEAP 2025, reduces equipment costs, energy consumption, and capital expenditures, supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and smart city projects.
RANsemi, a British wireless semiconductor company, has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s ACES to drive 5G Open RAN innovation. Backed by the NTDP and MCIT, the collaboration aims to develop a cutting-edge 5G small cell system. The project will be showcased at the Small Cells World Summit in June 2025.
Zain and Parallel Wireless have successfully completed a 5G Standalone Proof of Concept, achieving over 1.3 Gbps download speeds, surpassing performance benchmarks. The milestone demonstrates the potential of Open RAN technology to deliver high performance, scalability, and energy efficiency, positioning Kuwait as a global ICT leader.
Nokia has launched a ‘NextGen Lab’ in Riyadh to support Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation under Vision 2030. The lab will demonstrate advanced technologies like Open RAN, smart city solutions, and energy-efficient innovations, providing local industries with access to cutting-edge connectivity tools to drive digital growth in the region.
