ShareKUWAIT/BARCELONA: Zain announced it is teaming up with global partner Huawei to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence. The step aims to push both partners’ plans for AI-enabled innovative services and 5.5G network automation in the region.
The announcement was made during the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2024) in Barcelona, Spain. In attendance were Zain Kuwait Chief Executive Officer Nawaf Al-Gharabally, President of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Region Steven Yi, Zain Group Chief Investment and Digital Transformation Officer Malek Hammoud, Zain Kuwait CCO Meshal Al-Kandari, Zain Kuwait Chief Enterprise & Business Officer Hamad Al-Marzouq, and executives from the companies.
Zain Kuwait CEO Nawaf Al-Gharabally commented: “Our proactive efforts to offer AI-enabled services on 5G and 5.5G networks will establish a new benchmark and create new opportunities for the telecom industry in Kuwait and the region. These AI services encompass innovations such as New Calling, network energy conservation, and efficient O&M solutions, all aimed at keeping up with our everchanging industry and to exceed our customers’ expectations.”
Al-Gharabally added: “We will leverage on the innovations of AI to achieve network transformation, enhance data analysis, and introduce novel AI-based services. Our collaboration with Huawei to establish an AI Center of Excellence marks the initial steps toward achieving this vision.”
President of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Region Steven Yi said: “Zain Kuwait and Huawei have partnered to establish this center to leverage on AI tools and create new services for consumers and businesses, as well as to improve network operations for the 5.5G era.”
“This will involve training AI algorithms to enhance network automation to offer faster customer service, provide high-quality network solutions, and optimize maintenance. This will also support the development of high-quality networks, fast and efficient services, and the best-in-class user experiences.” Yi added. Zain aspires to reinforce its efforts to further push AI-enabled innovative services and 5.5G network automation. The company strongly believes in the pivotal role AI tools and applications play in transforming networks, ultimately improving performance, efficiency, optimization, operations, and maintenance. These innovations also improve other aspects for networks, such as self-healing, power saving, analytics, and more.
This announcement solidifies the collaboration between Zain Kuwait and Huawei to leverage AI-driven applications. Together, the companies aim to revolutionize services such as cutting-edge calling features, improved network efficiency, and optimized operations. This partnership is dedicated to adapting swiftly to evolving demands while maintaining cost-effectiveness at its core.
Zain works to provide revolutionary technology like the market’s first AI-powered, real-time voice/video translation communication. By integrating AI into its 5.5G New Calling services, Zain takes communications to new heights with instantaneous translation across multiple languages (including Arabic and English). This groundbreaking solution has undergone successful testing by Zain and is now being prepared for commercial launch in Kuwait with support from Huawei. Its primary goal is to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps through voice and video calls. Consumers and enterprises alike can enjoy seamless translation experiences, unlocking significant market opportunities in areas such as social networks, tourism, businesses, call centers, and content creation.
In addition, Zain recently announced that it has achieved speeds of 10 Gigabits per second after completing a 5.5G technology trial on its network, becoming the first operator to reach this significant milestone in Kuwait’s telecom market. The company also succeeded in testing Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), a key 5.5G feature.
The announcement was made after the successful completion of a 5.5G trial on Zain’s network with Huawei, and under supervision and in collaboration with the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA). Zain has invested early in upgrading and enhancing its network’s infrastructure to prepare for the shift towards the 5.5G era, which brings limitless opportunities and opens up new horizons for businesses and consumers alike. In addition, the achievement serves as a testament to Zain’s leadership position and goes in line with its digitization efforts for the ‘New Kuwait’ vision.
5.5G, which features blazing-fast speeds and higher efficiency levels, combined with Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), which brings reduced latency and ultra-reliable connections, will meet the ever-growing demand of cloud computing, AI, big data, immersive AR/VR experiences, autonomous vehicles, and more. These fast growing technologies and more rely on higher, more stable speeds, and are increasingly adopted by businesses and government agencies.
Zain maintains its leadership position within the local ICT industry through its robust ecosystem of strategic partnerships with the world’s biggest technology leaders. Building upon early investment in cutting-edge technology infrastructure and harnessing the talent of its national workforce, the company remains at the forefront of innovation, consistently delivering groundbreaking technologies to Kuwait’s largest customer base.
• Al-Gharabally: Our vision harnesses AI innovations to drive network and service transformation. We’re joining forces with Huawei to make this vision a reality.
• Steven Yi: The center aims to invest in the capabilities of AI to transform networks and offer unprecedented services to consumers and businesses.
• The two partners explored future collaboration at MWC Barcelona.
