Nokia and Zain deploy FastMile solution to provide better broadband experience to end users

• Deployment follows successful trial in commercial live network

• Takes Zain closer to building robust, scalable networks to realize Smart Cities vision

• Nokia FastMile improves in-house coverage and enables ultra-fast mobile broadband speeds

30 October 2017 - Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Nokia and Zain Saudi Arabia are deploying Nokia's FastMile technology to provide a superior customer experience to Zain's customers. The deployment, the first for Nokia FastMile in the Middle East and Africa region, follows a successful trial of the technology which recorded speeds of 20 Mbps - significant considering the current demands on 4G networks - and provided seamless 4G macro network coverage to reach users located in a challenging environment. Zain is deploying the technology in the western and southern region of the country and also in the cities of Jeddah and Makkah. Interestingly, the FastMile solution will not only be deployed in the typical rural environments, but more in suburban areas, where no fiber or copper network is available, using the 1800 MHz band.

Service providers usually struggle with in-house coverage in a 4G network. Nokia FastMile allows them to improve in-house coverage and provide ultra-fast mobile broadband speeds to end-users by cost effectively re-using an existing macro network infrastructure. In this case, the increase in throughput will enable Zain to build additional revenue streams by launching new and innovative services, as well as help attract new subscribers.

Eng. Sultan Abdulaziz AlDeghaither, Chief Technology Officer, Zain Saudi Arabia, said:

"We are enthusiastic about the success of the Nokia FastMile trial and the subsequent deployment of the technology, which will help us address the problem of poor in-house coverage and provide a much-improved user experience. We are committed to providing the best-in-class quality of experience to our customers, and this project is a key step in that direction."

Ali Al Jitawi, head of the Zain Saudi Arabia customer team at Nokia, said:

"This deployment starts a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with Zain. We look forward to working with them to deliver a better broadband experience. FastMile provides operators with an innovative way to re-use existing networks to meet growing broadband requirements. This deployment reinforces Zain's technology leadership, allowing it to use the latest technology solutions to meet the requirements of their customers."

Overview of the solutions:

• Nokia FastMile lets service providers use 4G LTE radio access network connectivity in difficult to reach areas. It comprises of four components: an outdoor modem, indoor router, LTE radio access, and controller. The modem connects to the nearest LTE base station to provide high-speed broadband connectivity.

• The trial was conducted on an FDD-LTE network with Flexi Multiradio 10 Base Station.

• Nokia Professional Services for network design, configuration and implementation will ensure smooth and fast deployment of the technology.

Did you know?

The Nokia FastMile solution provides up to 12 times typical coverage area and three times the speed compared to standard mobile broadband networks.