The fifth generation network is an essential potential for future communication technologies

Hatem Bamatraf, Chief Technology Officer of Etisalat Group, said that Etisalat's pioneering efforts in launching the 5G network areG، It will play an important role in enabling "Future Communications", in a way that enhances its ability to enable its customers, individuals and companies, to enjoy the latest services and new and innovative technical and digital solutions. This came during the keynote speech delivered by Bamatraf at the opening of the "5 Summit"G– Middle East and North Africa 2019”, with a wide participation of CEOs, specialists and those interested in the ICT sector.

During the speech, Bamatraf referred to Etisalat's investments in building and strengthening the fifth generation network, stressing that this network is one of the most advanced networks in the region, capable of contributing to a pivotal role in enabling digital transformation, and in creating new ways and means to interact and communicate with customers. He pointed out that "Etisalat" allocated 4 billion dirhams during the current year, to continue investing in the modernization of mobile networks, the optical fiber network, and the development of infrastructure.

He added, "Today, we are on the cusp of a new revolution in 'smart communications', which prompted Etisalat to continue its investments in future technologies such as the 5th generation network.G flexible, high-speed, and the Internet of Things (IoT)IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), which is expected to have a strong and effective impact on broad economic, industrial and societal sectors.

Pointing out that the fifth generation network has today become a reality in the United Arab Emirates, where customers will enjoy an endless list of innovative capabilities, solutions and services such as; Internet of things, artificial intelligence, connected buildings in smart cities, augmented and virtual reality technologies, automation, self-driving vehicles, advanced robotics, XNUMXD printing, and wearable technology.” 

He pointed out, "Innovation was at the core of Etisalat's ambitious strategy to 'Lead the Digital Future to Empower Societies', as this strategy contributed to creating and adopting the latest, most reliable and reliable digital services and solutions provided by the fifth generation network, employing them for the benefit of customers in the individual and business sectors alike. “.

In his speech, Bamatraf reviewed the most important achievements of Etisalat during its journey last year, referring in this context to its success in May in launching the first commercial wireless network for the fifth generation in the United Arab Emirates, to be the first operator of telecommunications services in the Middle East. and North Africa who achieve this great technological achievement.

Bamatraf stressed that “Etisalat” was the first operator to launch the commercial XNUMXG network, in a way that allows its customers to enjoy high-efficiency Internet services and unprecedented speeds, in addition to the importance of this network in enabling the digital transformation of companies, in spreading and enhancing Internet of things services, and in Smart Cities, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Bamatraf pointed out that Etisalat has become a reliable partner for the public and private sectors, noting that Expo 2020 Dubai has become the first major organization in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region to obtain, in partnership with Etisalat, the services of the fifth generation of communications networks, stressing that Etisalat was keen on making the event area one of the fastest, smartest and best connected areas on earth, in a way that contributes to enriching the experience of millions of its visitors.

Regarding network readiness, Bamatraf indicated that Etisalat, through its permanent and continuous investments in developing its infrastructure and network, is ready today to provide all the services provided by the fifth generation devices, which are scheduled to be launched during the current year 2019 by global manufacturers of mobile phones.

Bamatraf indicated that Etisalat's technical teams continue to work on building and equipping the fifth generation network stations, which contributes to reaching a broader coverage of this network in various regions of the country, and enabling customers to enjoy unprecedented and maximum speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second.

He stressed, "The fifth generation network will be ready to provide services to customers on the same day that mobile devices compatible with this network are available in the UAE, and in order to enhance the capabilities and capabilities of the fifth generation network, Etisalat will this year deploy 1000 coverage stations for this network." network across the UAE.

Bamatraf indicated that “Etisalat Group” began planning to deploy the Fifth Mountain network in the markets in which it is located, and last year the tests of this network began in Saudi Arabia, where plans to deploy the Fifth Mountain commercial network this year enjoyed great support by the Saudi government, which launched New spectrum in the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.

He added, "Mobily managed to acquire the 100MHz band, which is considered a high-value frequency spectrum, and is characterized by its wide spread globally and works to increase Internet speeds to unprecedented levels, in a step behind which the company seeks to pave the way for providing fifth generation services, as it is expected that At the end of this year 2019, this network will be commercially launched.”

Bamatraf added, “The XNUMXG network will provide a good alternative to fixed services in the emerging markets in which Etisalat Group operates. Hence, the group has begun to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of the fifth generation network for 'fixed wireless access' systems in a number of its markets, and such an evaluation would help Etisalat to launch such systems in some of its markets."

Noting that while it is expected that by the next year 2020, the spread of the fifth generation network will take place globally, it is estimated that by the end of the year 2024 there will be 1.5 billion subscriptions to the fifth generation networks, which is equal to 17% of all mobile phone subscriptions globally in At that time, he emphasized that Etisalat was working to be a basic enabler of this network, through the dissemination and application of modern and innovative services and technologies that depend on it.

Bamatraf explained that Etisalat's continuous investments in infrastructure played an important and pivotal role in this development and growth witnessed by the telecommunications industry, as investments in future technologies such as the Internet of Things and the fifth generation network 5G To modernize mobile networks, and the optical fiber network.