More momentum for Ericsson 5G at MWC 2019

STC and Ericsson have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop 5G use cases and help STC to bring the latest innovations in 5G-based solutions to enterprises and consumers.

Ericsson’s global partnership with industry partners will also STC with the most relevant and agile solutions to monetize its future 5G network.

The news followed the announcement that STC and Ericsson have signed a deal to launch a mid-band 5G network in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking about the MOU, Eng. Haithem Al Faraj, SVP Tech & Ops, STC, said: “STC is a world-class digital leader in Saudi Arabia providing best-of-breed services to its customers with high efficiency and agility. This agreement with Ericsson will expand STC’s product and services portfolio to gain more ICT market share and maintain STC’s leadership in ICT in the Kingdom.”

Rafiah Ibrahim, Head of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, said: “We are collaborating with STC to build the imperatives of future business as well as to improve customer experience for 5G. This MoU is also in line with our continuous efforts to support STC’s digital agenda.”

Ericsson and STC Solutions (STCS), a subsidiary of STC, also announced the signing of a sales channel partnership agreement to allow STCS to resell Ericsson hardware, software, post-warranty, and training across networks, digital services, managed services, emerging business & technology business units to end users - includintg STC subsidiaries such as VIVA Kuwait and VIVA Bahrain.

 Mr. Jehad Al-Twairki, Vice President of Business Solutions at STCS, said: “The aim of our cooperation with Ericsson is to create significant value for Saudi society, businesses and people - and ensure that both consumer and industrial markets enjoy next-generation ICT applications and pioneering 5G services in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”

Rafiah Ibrahim said: “This partnership agreement focuses on identifying key networks, digital services and IoT use cases. The result would be faster time-to-market for new service offerings and better customer engagement.”

Meanwhile, Ericsson and Zain Iraq launched an IoT Competition for university students in Iraq. Students are invited to present use cases to address the possibilities of 5G-IoT and industry digitalization.

The competition is supported by the Communication and Media Commission (CMC) in Iraq as part of its initiative to engage millennials from top Iraqi universities in identifying innovations that will transform the way they live, work and learn.

Dr. Ali N. Al-Khwilidi, Chief Executive Officer, CMC, saID: “IoT is being widely embraced with the number of connected devices growing rapidly. The IoT competition for universities allows students to unleash their potential in the IoT domain and actively involve talented Iraqi youth in the country’s evolution towards a connected society.”

Ali Al Zahid, Chief Executive Officer, Zain Iraq, said: “IoT supports digital transformation and the development of new business models and offerings. This competition will enable the Iraqi youth to share their technology innovations and act as a platform to facilitate the country’s digital transformation.”

Rafiah Ibrahim said: “Our joint initiative with Zain Iraq and CMC aims to create sustainable value and eventually make a positive impact on business, people and society in Iraq. By engaging with students, we share our knowledge on the latest advanced technologies and capitalize on their innovative thinking towards a connected future.”