Huawei Builds Commercial Networks in Asia and the Middle East with 3rd Generation 5G Equipment

Meta AAU commercially deployed in the Philippines. Photo by Korea Huawei

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] Huawei announced on the 29th that it is supporting the deployment of 5G user networks in the Middle East and Asia regions based on its high-performance, high-efficiency 3rd generation 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products.

The latest and most advanced model in Huawei's 3rd generation 5G RAN product series, the MetaAAU (integrated antenna and main unit repeater), achieves the highest performance and lowest power consumption by extensively applying leading wireless technologies, presenting a direction for evolution toward 5.5G networks. In particular, it features a new Extra Large Antenna Array (ELAA) architecture, multi-channel technology, and innovative algorithms that more than double the array scale compared to previous generation AAUs, reduce energy consumption, improve network performance, and support mobile operators in building future-oriented 5G networks.

Three years ago, the Philippines commercialized 5G and is responding to increasing 4G capacity demands while providing an uninterrupted 5G experience through the deployment of mid-band frequency 5G networks and Massive MIMO products. Currently, the 5G network covers 90% of the metropolitan area in the Philippines, but challenges remain in addressing the large gaps between sites in 5G network deployment.

Huawei's 3.5GHz MetaAAU is a solution to these challenges. It supports the construction of dual-band networks that meet network development requirements and provide optimal experiences within the Philippines. In fact, the 3.5GHz MetaAAU deployed in the Philippines has improved download and upload speeds by 35%, expanded coverage radius by 30% depending on remote sites, enabling more users to access the 5G network, and increased average traffic by 37%.

Additionally, Huawei recently announced that it has started deploying MetaAAU to expand 5G carrier aggregation coverage in collaboration with Zain KSA in Saudi Arabia. Zain KSA plans to integrate MetaAAU to expand coverage and capacity, increase network speeds, and ultimately provide extensive service benefits to more users while continuously delivering excellent user experiences and supporting numerous 5G use cases.

Abdulrahman Hamad AlMufadda, CTO of Zain KSA, said, “This collaboration with Huawei aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to transform Saudi Arabia into a digital economy hub and provide world-class 5G experiences. As the industrial ecosystem accelerates, 5G smartphones and users are gradually expanding, and the introduction of MetaAAU is expected to significantly improve coverage and customer experiences across various industries such as business, e-commerce, and gaming.”

Ritchie Peng, President of Huawei’s 5G Product Line, said, “Huawei has long invested in large-scale Massive MIMO technology. MetaAAU is Huawei’s 3rd generation large-scale Massive MIMO product and a key product in the 3rd generation 5G RAN series. Its antenna array technology supports the use of higher frequency bands and bandwidths that contribute to the future mobile industry,” adding, “Huawei will continue to provide innovative solutions to help countries in the Middle East and Asia build high-performance networks and deliver better user experiences.”