COUNTRY FOCUS: KSA
PLUGGED IN!
For this month’s country focus, Intelligent
CIO examines the progress of Saudi Arabia’s
networking infrastructure, bringing more
accessible and faster speeds to the Kingdom’s
population…and…printing 3-D houses to aid
with KSA’s housing shortage!
M
obily, together with Ericsson,
is introducing TDD 4x4
MIMO technology to its
LTE network in the western region
of Saudi Arabia. This technology will
be deployed using the state-of-the-
art Ericsson Radio System and L16
network software release. Thanks
to 4x4 MIMO technology, Mobily
subscribers can enjoy higher data
speeds, increased network capacity,
and an overall enhanced end-user
experience. With mobile data traffic
expected to double year-on-year, it is
imperative to find solutions, like 4x4
MIMO technology, that will optimize
data usage.
“We want to ensure that our end-user
will reap significant benefits from the
deployment of 4x4 MIMO technology,”
said Maziad AlHarbi, Chief Technology
Officer at Mobily. “Ericsson’s unique
4x4 MIMO technology enables us to
accelerate data speeds to a maximum
of up to 220 Mbps on a 20 MHz LTE
TDD carrier. Undoubtedly, this will
significantly improve our customer
experience, which corresponding with
our strategy.”
Ericsson’s 4x4 MIMO technology
addresses data speed and capacity
demands in the most challenging areas
and this in turn helps deliver a superior,
improved connectivity experience to on-
the-go Mobily subscribers. 4x4 MIMO
36
INTELLIGENTCIO
technology increases the spectral
efficiency of the LTE connection thus
doubling the data speed - to reach
up to 220 Mbps on a 20 MHz TDD
carrier - without the need for additional
spectrum.The fact that data speeds are
increased using existing spectrum of
the network provides a cost effective
means to increase LTE network
capacity.
Ali Eid, Head of Ericsson Saudi Arabia,
Jordan and Palestine added: “Ericsson’s
4x4 MIMO technology will give Mobily
the ability to enhance its customers’
experience - and ensure higher speeds
with expanded and improved app
coverage. Mobile broadband is now an
integral part of our everyday lifestyle
where constant connectivity is expected
anytime, anywhere. By introducing
our integrated 4x4 MIMO to the LTE
network, we will be able to offer Mobily
a more reliable and higher capacity
network - especially designed to support
its customers’ connected lifestyles.”
Ericsson is present today in all high
traffic LTE markets including the US,
Japan, and South Korea, and is ranked
first for handling the most global LTE
traffic. In addition, 40% of the world’s
total mobile traffic is carried over
Ericsson networks. More than 250 LTE
RAN and Evolved Packet Core networks
have been delivered worldwide, of
which 190 are live commercially.
www.intelligentcio.com