Nokia and du Launch First 5G Cloud RAN in Middle East

Nokia and du, a telecom and digital services provider in the UAE, have announced the deployment of the first commercial 5G Standalone (SA) Cloud RAN solution in the Middle East and Africa. This breakthrough highlights du’s commitment to advancing the UAE’s digital transformation agenda and leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet evolving connectivity demands.

The deployment, carried out in Abu Dhabi, integrates Nokia’s flexible anyRAN approach, which combines virtualized Distributed Units (vDU) and Centralized Units (vCU) running on Dell PowerEdge XR8620 servers. Powered by Red Hat OpenShift, the industry’s leading hybrid cloud application platform based on Kubernetes, the solution delivers scalability and cloud-native capabilities. Nokia’s AirScale Massive MIMO Radios, operating on the 3.6 GHz (n78) spectrum, support the 5G Standalone architecture, enabling advanced use cases like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and industry-specific applications across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and logistics.

Nokia’s Cloud RAN solution allows hybrid networks that combine cloud-native and purpose-built components, meeting the rising demand for RAN cloudification. Its approach ensures consistent performance across the network and enables operators to scale their 5G footprint while introducing new services efficiently.

Saleem Alblooshi, Chief Technology Officer of du, emphasized the significance of this deployment, stating that the collaboration with Nokia enhances network efficiency and flexibility while creating opportunities to deliver innovative services to customers and society. Mark Atkinson, Head of RAN at Nokia, highlighted the partnership’s role in driving innovation, leveraging AI, and supporting private wireless networks.

This milestone showcases Nokia’s anyRAN approach as a flexible solution for operators and enterprises, offering a seamless path to hybrid or fully cloud-native networks. The collaboration between Nokia and du strengthens the UAE’s position as a leader in digital innovation, paving the way for future advancements in 5G technology and services.