CEO of the Union for the second phase of the "5G" at the end of 2020

Union

The problems of international trade have not disrupted the deployment of networks in the United Arab Emirates (Union)

Yousef Al Arabi (Dubai)

Salim Al Baloushi, General Manager of Du, plans to launch the second phase of the SA-5G network in the United Arab Emirates by the end of 2020, noting that the fifth-generation networks currently deployed Phase 1 of 5G networks operating on the NSA standard, based on existing 4G networks.
In an interview with «Union"The company intends to inject new investments ranging from AED 1.3 to 1.5 billion this year, and 90 percent of this investment will be spent on fifth-generation core network equipment and facilities. .
Regarding the economic feasibility of investments in fifth-generation networks, Al-Balushi said the acceleration of the plans for the deployment of the 5G network in the UAE was based on expectations that the Demand for fifth-generation networks would catch up quickly in a scenario similar to the evolution of supply. With occupancy rates reaching total occupancy in a few months. He pointed out that by 2020, fifth generation networks will be covered very quickly, which will increase the network occupancy rates, whether it is about individuals or d & # 39; institutions. Al-Baloushi pointed out that the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) had played a key role in enabling operators to launch the launch of the country's fifth generation networks through its initiative to provide operators with spectral frequencies and coordinate the government's efforts in this regard.

Fifth generation
Al-Balushi said: The development of fifth generation (5G) networks is done in two stages, according to two main criteria: he explained that the standard of the first phase is "Non-autonomous", also called "NSA". Existing system and equipment for 4G networks. This standard fulfills a vital goal of 3 goals for the modern 5G network, one of which is high speed. He pointed out that at this point, it is necessary that the fifth generation network provider be identical to the fourth generation to ensure Device Compatibility, which means that if the existing Nokia Siemens 4G network is indispensable the The company itself provides fifth-generation equipment on the "NSA" standard for "Ericsson" and "Huawei Technologies". He explained that in the first phase of the fifth generation, networks provide high download speeds of up to "2 Gb / s", which is equivalent to about 10 times the current speed of 4G networks, where the charging process is based on the entire generation V network. Fifth, he said: "If the speed of the network (1.5 Gbps) is based on the principle of a single user on the transmission cell, this speed is in practice divided by the total number of users connected to the network "in that" speed is shared "between users. "Technically, 4G networks were on the way to 1Gbps, but that required equipment investment, compared to fifth-generation networks that offer dual speeds at a lower cost per kilobit per second," he said. -he declares.

second step
Al-Baloushi said that the second phase of the 5G network, known as Standalone (SA), will be launched in the United Arab Emirates by the end of 2020. According to this standard, the fifth generation networks will operate Independently, the three main "5G" networks are speed, responsiveness and economic efficiency. Al-Baloushi explained that the "Standalone" standard is characterized by simplification and increased efficiency, which will reduce costs and increase the efficiency of productivity on the periphery of the network, while helping to develop new cases. Cell phone use.
He stressed that the National Spectrum Distribution Plan approved by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was a key factor in accelerating investment plans for the deployment of fifth-generation networks across the country. The UAE has been proactive in providing the regulatory environment and appropriate infrastructure resources to be one of the first countries in the world and at the regional level. TRA has allocated 200 MHz spectrum since March 2018 to enable Mobile phone service providers in the UAE to launch commercial networks from generation to generation. The fifth on the C band and the 3.5 MHz band for the same purpose at the beginning of the year.

Subtract devices
Al-Baloushi said that the company, in cooperation with a number of global mobile device manufacturers, has launched the fifth generation of compatible devices, thus opening a new stage allowing users to enjoy the huge the potential offered by the network, waiting for dozens of compatible phones ".5G" in the domestic market in the weeks and months to come.He explained that the company plans to deploy 700 sites to cover vital sites of the country, spread over all emirates by the end of the year, pointing out that this number can be increased with the availability of peripherals.He also explained that the construction of the fifth generation network DU in the UAE was progressing about 4 months Compared to the date on which the supporting devices were proposed, he indicated that the section "Authority of "Telecommunications Regulatory Authority" certification is currently testing mobile devices supporting fifth-generation networks to ensure their compatibility and network compatibility. .
Du's plan to deploy fifth-generation networks in the country is not affected by the international trade issues plaguing the Chinese Huawei Technologies, one of the leading suppliers of network equipment 5G. He said that the implementation of contracts with Huawei Technologies was proceeding normally and that the company planned to cover any development on the international scene, ensuring that its network continues to grow in the local market.
He stressed that from continuing to adopt a policy of recourse to more than one provider, even if the progress made by each provider differed significantly, especially on the networks of the "fifth generation", adding that this diversity guaranteed shareholders an optimal valuation of their investments. And increases the resilience of the network to any commercial and technological development.

Global partnerships
Salim Al Baloushi, President and CEO of Du, said, "We are committed to contributing to the purchase of fifth-generation networks at fair prices from global network providers." Al Baloushi explained that the company maintains close partnerships with global network providers and is badociated with a broad-based partnership agreement with Vodafone, which are the main advantages that guarantee the provision of networks at fair prices, where the price of "1 gigabyte per second" The fifth generation is about the price of the fourth generation, he explained that if the speed of fifth generation networks is 10 times higher than that of 4G networks, the price of equipment and equipment "5G" does not exceed the same amount on "4G" prices, thanks to the expertise in negotiation, the weight of exchanges and partnerships s worldwide that allow access to prevailing prices at the global level. .

70% optical fiber network coverage by late 2019
Salim Al Baloushi, director of infrastructure at Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, said the company plans to expand its optical fiber networks in the UAE to cover 70% of the country by the end of 2019. Al Balushi pointed out that the expansion of fiber optic network was closely related to the plans to increase The deployment of fifth-generation networks in the country and the willingness to introduce advanced services for smart technologies based on techniques such as artificial intelligence. Fifth-generation services are offered either via wireless connection point systems or through fiber optics with higher capacity and speeds up to 10 Gbps.
He pointed out that the fourth generation network currently covers 98% and that the company is working hard to ensure the internal coverage of all airports, government and commercial buildings and a large part of residential buildings.
He pointed out that participation in the establishment of infrastructure between state licensees and networks increases the efficiency of investments in fixed equipment, the cost of which is reduced. 39, about 50% in mobile station locations and internal building coverage.