Zain KSA has selected Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) as its LTE 4G mobile broadband infrastructure and services partner for the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah
The company will manage the Saudi Arabian operator's 4G network in addition its GSM and 3G networks in Jeddah, and will provide network implementation services.
"The upsurge in smartphone usage is putting huge pressure on networks, while also increasing customers' service expectations," said Zain KSA deputy chief technology officer Ahmed AlGhanmi.
Zain KSA said it would address the growing demand for mobile broadband and smartphone data services by refarming its 1800 MHz GSM frequency band to offer 4G services.
"Spectrum refarming is becoming a huge trend across the world, primarily since spectrum is a limited resource, and refarming offers huge cost benefits," commented Nokia Siemens Networks customer team head Dany Choueiry.
The company will provide its Single RAN (radio access network) platform, based on the Flexi Multiradio Base Station for 4G deployment and 3G network modernisation. Optimised backhaul will be provided by FlexiPacket Microwave platform.
NSN said it would deploy its NetAct platform for monitoring, management and optimisation of Zain's LTE network. The company will upgrade and expand Zain's Home Location Register (HLR) to the advanced One NDS subscriber data management solution.
The solutions are expected to help the operator meet market demands, cover capacity requirements and generate operational savings.
"Network optimisation will enable Zain to maximise the benefits of existing 1800 MHz GSM band by offering LTE services, making it move well ahead of the curve in a fiercely competitive market environment," Choueiry added.
NSN already manages Zain's networks, which support more than 700 million subscribers worldwide.
