Page 33 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

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Etisalat UAE, Part of e&, Launches First Global Live Multi-Vendors VoNR
Ecosystem in Collaboration with Ericsson and Huawei

Etisalat UAE, part of e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group), experience is inevitable on 5G Core. This is why VoNR will be the
in collaboration with Ericsson and Huawei, announced the key to further improve the customer’s confidence trusting voice
successful deployment and testing of the first E2E live multi- continuity in 5G coverage areas. Huawei, is fully committed
vendor VoNR (Voice over New Radio) ecosystem worldwide. to assist Etisalat on this digitalization journey and would feel
The launch marks an important milestone for the UAE’s digital privileged to work with Etisalat to help them achieve their goals.”
transformation objectives. VoNR is a call service that uses the Etisalat UAE’s (part of e&) customers will benefit from 5G stand-
stand-alone architecture of the 5G network, providing lower alone data browsing with ongoing voice calls, superior quality 5G
latency and improved quality, resulting in an elevated calling voice services through “HD voice +”, faster call set-up, as well
experience and high-speed data. VoNR Call has been made and as robust security to prevent fraud and misuse of personal data.
verified over a live multi-vendor ecosystem consisting of Core and VoNR Enhanced Voice Services technology also removes voice
Radio 5G SA related nodes from both Ericsson and Huawei. This distortion, water noise or any other types of voice disturbance
innovative milestone is an important step towards the commercial that customers would have faced in the past. It is expected that
introduction of seamless 5G voice services in e&’s cloud-native new services will be rolled out through the VoNR ecosystem, such
network. Khalid Murshed, Chief Technology and Information as accessing real-time mobile interactive gaming and voice call at
Officer at Etisalat UAE, said: “The launch of VoNR is in line with e&’s the same time, exchanging secure media content during the voice
vision to bring the best in digital technologies, smart connectivity call and experiencing interactive augmented and virtual reality.
and innovative solutions to all our customers. With Ericsson and Etisalat Group has changed its brand identity to e&, effective
Huawei as our strategic partners for this project, we will maximize from 23 February 2022. Its strategy aims to accelerate growth
opportunities to further enhance the end-user communication through the creation of a resilient business model representing
experience by ensuring better voice continuity and quality. Today, the Group’s main business pillars. The telecom business
handset manufacturers are keen to massively launch VoNR currently continues to operate led by Etisalat UAE in e&’s home
enabled devices in the market for which e& is pleased to have market and by existing subsidiaries for international operations,
its network-ready fulfilling the requirements of complete live upholding the Group’s rich telecoms heritage, bolstering the
multi-vendors ecosystem.” Ekow Nelson, Vice President Ericsson strong telecoms network and maximizing value for the Group’s
Middle East & Africa, said: “Over the past years, voice calling has various customer segments. Ramping up the digital services for
become a key service in the UAE. As the UAE is driving ever-more individual customers to elevate their digital-first lifestyle, e& life
digitalization powered by 5G, high quality and seamless voice brings next-generation technologies through smart connectivity
calling will become a must-have service for residents across the platforms in entertainment, retail and financial technology. To
nation. With the launch of Etisalat UAE’s first VoNR service, we are enable the digital transformation of governments, large-scale
proud to play a continued role in helping the UAE realize its digital enterprises and corporates, e& enterprise focuses on maximizing
transformation objectives. We remain committed to providing value through its end-to-end solutions in cybersecurity, cloud,
network excellence to ensure the nation is equipped to offer the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as
numerous digital opportunities that 5G will bring to the region.” deploying mega projects. e& capital allows the Group to focus its
A spokesperson at Huawei said: “As 5G SA coverage expands efforts on driving new mergers and acquisitions while maximizing
within UAE, the demand for better voice quality with best possible shareholder value and strengthening global presence.

e& Builds Transformation Momentum, Enters New Phase of Collaboration
with Microsoft

Following its recent transformation telecommunications to transform the fastest 5G networks with Microsoft’s
announcement and embracing of a new lives of its customers and advance the cloud, AI, edge and data services,
identity, e& (formerly known as Etisalat digitalization journey of enterprises. addressing a regional market hungry for
Group), expanded its partnership with Senior executives met at the Microsoft digital transformation. We are confident
Microsoft, entering the next phase headquarters in Redmond to seal the that this collaboration will continue to
of collaboration that will see the two partnership, including Hatem Dowidar, support the ever-growing demands of
companies accelerate value creation, push CEO, e&, Satya Nadella, Chairman and this market and our digital journey of
the boundaries of innovation, and achieve CEO, Microsoft, Sayed Hashish, General transformation and innovation. This also
more for the benefit of their customers. Manager of Microsoft UAE and Masood M supports our ambition to become a world-
Under a partnership agreement, the Sharif Mahmood, CEO, Etisalat UAE. “Our class technology provider that supports
parties will enhance a long-term strategic partnership with Microsoft is an example regional innovators as they disrupt, make
collaboration, embarking on e&’s journey of synergy in action,” said Hatem Dowidar, a difference and build the future.”
to go beyond the realms of traditional CEO, e&. “e& is combining one of the world’s

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