Ericsson and e& sign a three‑year agreement to expand and evolve e& UAE’s 5G Radio Access Network by deploying Ericsson’s latest radio technology to boost network capacity, extend coverage and introduce Ericsson 5G Advanced.
Ericsson and e& UAE, the flagship telecommunications arm of e&, have signed a three‑year agreement to expand and evolve e& UAE’s 5G Radio Access Network (RAN). As part of the deal, Ericsson will provide its latest radio technology and state‑of‑the‑art Ericsson Radio System portfolio to boost network capacity, extend 5G coverage and introduce 5G Advanced.
The agreement will enable e& UAE to remain a pivotal player in global 5G deployments by preparing the network for supporting Advanced RAN Slicing as well as Artificial Intelligence‑driven RAN automation. It will also allow e& UAE to continue delivering world‑class 5G services to end-users while opening the door to new and innovative 5G use cases for consumers and enterprises.
Additionally, the agreement marks a key milestone in accelerating the commercial implementation of Ericsson 5G Advanced features in the region, including Reduced Capability (RedCap) and Critical Internet of Things (IoT). It represents the first RedCap commercial agreement in the Middle East and Africa, following the initial implementation of both technologies by the two companies last year.
Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer at e& UAE, said: “Our agreement with Ericsson reflects a shared vision for Digital Transformation and reinforces our commitment to maintaining a cutting‑edge 5G network that delivers premium services to both consumers and enterprises. By leveraging Ericsson’s latest technology, we are ensuring that our network remains future‑ready, supports innovative 5G Advanced services, and aligns with our Net Zero pledge through improved energy efficiency.”
Petra Schirren, President of Ericsson Gulf at Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Our partnership with e& reflects our shared focus on delivering 5G capabilities across the region. This agreement will support e& UAE in expanding and modernising its radio access network with the latest Ericsson Radio System products and solutions. By enabling increased capacity, improved energy efficiency, and introducing Ericsson 5G Advanced, we are reinforcing their ability to deliver high‑performance connectivity and meet evolving customer demands.”
In parallel, e& UAE will modernise parts of its existing radio network to enhance energy efficiency, in line with its sustainability strategy and net zero commitment, and the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030.
Ericsson has a longstanding partnership with e& and is committed to providing e& UAE with the latest and advanced products and solutions that support its network evolution journey.
We asked Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer, e& UAE, further questions to find out more.
Can you elaborate on the specific energy efficiency improvements you expect to achieve through the modernisation of the existing radio network?
As a result of this upgrade process with Ericsson, we are looking for double-digit percentage gains in energy efficiency across significant sections of our radio access network. This will be driven by the launch of Ericsson’s new ultra-lightweight and power-constrained radio units and cutting-edge software capabilities which adaptively manage power consumption according to real-time patterns of traffic. The improvements will lower direct power consumption as well as our sites’ cooling needs and make a significant contribution towards our Net Zero ambition and supporting the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030.
What are the most promising use cases you foresee emerging from the deployment of Ericsson’s 5G Advanced capabilities, including RedCap and Critical IoT?
The availability of 5G Advanced features such as Reduced Capability (RedCap) and Critical IoT introduces new and exciting applications. RedCap provides cost- and efficient connectivity for consumer IoT devices, industrial sensors and wearables, making smart city and healthcare applications scale better. Critical IoT, on the other hand, supports ultra-reliable, low-latency communication—imperative for applications such as autonomous driving, remote robotics and mission-critical public safety use cases. Together, these capabilities will support industry Digital Transformation and enhance consumers’ daily lives.
How is e& UAE preparing its infrastructure and teams to integrate Artificial Intelligence-driven RAN automation at scale?
We are taking a comprehensive approach to support AI-based RAN automation. On the infrastructure front, we’re bringing in smart network devices and cloud-native technology that enable real-time data collection and decision-making. Concurrently, we’re upskilling our talent with specialised training in AI and data analytics and we are also working on automating network operations, fault localisation and optimisation. This helps us scale AI deployment without compromising on high performance and operational excellence.
With the introduction of Advanced RAN Slicing, how does e& UAE plan to tailor its 5G services to better serve enterprise customers across different verticals?
Advanced RAN Slicing enables us to provide customised virtual network slices with specific enterprise requirements, including ultra-low latency for finance, high throughput for media and entertainment, and massive IoT connectivity for industrial and logistics. We are working very closely with vertical markets to co-develop 5G solutions that address their specific needs. This agility enables our enterprise customers to innovate faster and more securely, and we facilitate service differentiation, performance assurance, and network segmentation in a shared infrastructure.
