Nokia partners with Zain Iraq to boost network capacity
BAGHDAD, September 22, 2024
Nokia has announced a strategic partnership with Zain Iraq to upgrade the telecom operator's network in the south of Iraq amid increasing traffic demand. The three-year deal marks the Finnish group’s foray into the microwave (MW) business with Zain Iraq.
The deployment will begin immediately, with a focus on optimizing network performance and ensuring scalability to accommodate future growth, said a statement from Nokia.
Nokia’s solutions will help Zain Iraq to expand the network capacity and enhance customer experience while paving the way for future innovations in the region. Zain Iraq has been experiencing increasing demand for its data services and the expansion is necessary to provide the best service to its customers.
As per the deal, the global telecom major will implement its state-of-the-art microwave technology, including the latest E-band solutions, to upgrade Zain Iraq's MW backbone. This upgrade will increase network capacity and prepare the network for the anticipated data surge driven by rising customer usage.
This deal involves swapping out competitor equipment and introducing Nokia's high-capacity microwave solutions.
Central to this deployment is the UBT-T XP version, which offers the highest transmit power in the market. This technology reduces antenna sizes and tower load, delivering significant capital expenditure (Capex) and operational expenditure (Opex) savings, said the statement.
Mikko Lavanti, the Senior Vice President of Mobile Networks at Nokia MEA, said: "This deal underscores our strong local capabilities and expertise. By deploying our advanced microwave solutions, Zain Iraq will benefit from an optimized network that is ready to handle the demands of the future, including meeting the needs of its growing customer base."
Zain Iraq CEO Emre Gurkan said the group's partnership with Nokia enables it to overcome capacity limitations and modernize the network infrastructure.
"With Nokia's advanced microwave technology and E-band solutions, we are not only resolving current challenges but also future-proofing our network for future growth," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
