07-03-2025
UAE's du partners with AWS, Nokia to launch cloud-based 5G network innovation
UAE telecom major du announced entering into a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Nokia to drive innovation through the cloudification of its Radio Access Network (RAN) in the UAE.
Under this collaboration, du will deploy Nokia's Cloud RAN solution using AWS's cloud services to explore and develop key use cases in wireless networks as well as the RAN Edge, providing du with maximum flexibility for the commercial deployment of Cloud RAN.
These architecture options will introduce Cloud RAN alongside du's purpose-built network, maintaining feature and performance consistency.
du sto leverage Amazon EKS and AWS Telco Network Builder (TNB)
The Nokia Cloud RAN architecture will be deployed using a microservices-based Cloud RAN software running on AWS cloud infrastructure with on-premises AWS Outposts, thereby combining the best-in-class solutions from AWS and Nokia while maximizing not just feature and performance parity, but spectral efficiency, du said.
The solution will leverage the AWS cloud continuum across the du 5G network, expanding to the furthest edge, while delivering a common automation, observability and security framework.
du said it also plans to leverage Amazon EKS and AWS Telco Network Builder (TNB) for scalable management and automation across deployment models.
AWS and Nokia are showcasing the 5G Cloud RAN solution at the AWS booth at the Mobile World Congress 2025.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of du, said the collaboration with Nokia and AWS supports the company's ambitions to deliver exceptional network performance and innovative services.
'5G Cloud RAN will enhance our network's efficiency and flexibility and enable us to explore new opportunities and services that can deliver genuine value to our customers and society at large,' he said.
Amir Rao, Director for Telco 5G at AWS, said the company is proud to collaborate on this journey with du and Nokia to help the cloudification of du's network.
Mark Atkinson, Senior Vice President and Head of Radio Access Networks at Nokia, said the collaboration with du and AWS confirms that the company's 'RAN' approach provides a flexible path to scalable benefits with hybrid and cloud-based RAN architectures, which is important in the dynamic and competitive UAE market.
Du said the collaboration highlight's its innovative hybrid RAN strategy which seamlessly integrates existing purpose-built infrastructure with cloud-native solutions to deliver unparalleled flexibility and scalability.
