H35-480_V3.0-ENU test - HCIA-5G-RAN V3.0 Updated: 2024

Zain Kuwaut said it has achieved speeds of 10 Gigabits per second after completing a 5.5G technology trial on its network in partnership with Chinese vendor Huawei.

The Middle East telco said it was the first operator to complete a trial of this kind in Kuwait’s telecom market. The company also tested Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), a key 5.5G feature.

The telco also noted that the recent trial was carried out under supervision and in collaboration with the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).

Zain highlighted that it has invested early in upgrading and enhancing its network’s infrastructure to prepare for the shift towards the 5.5G era.

5.5G, which features uptra-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 growing demand of cloud computing, AI, big data, immersive AR/VR experiences and autonomous vehicles, the telco added.

Zain has also recently showcased its network’s readiness for the rollout of 5G New Calling (5GNC), an emerging 5G network capability that paves the way for a new era of voice and video calling and will rely on the capabilities of 5.5G.

5G-Advanced technology, or “5.5G”, will pave the way for a wider adoption of connectivity for industrial settings, John Gao, President of Huawei’s 5.5G domain, previously told RCR Wireless News.

Gao stressed that 5.5G will enable wireless production and flexible manufacturing with its low latency and high reliability, thus accelerating the intelligent transformation of industries.

The executive noted that 5.5G will provide larger system capacities, lower-priced modules and large-scale service provisioning capabilities, which will enable scenarios with hundreds of millions of video connections. Gao also noted that scenarios with more extensively ubiquitous asset logistics can be managed using tags of lower costs and power consumption with 5.5G networks.

He went on to say that the deployment of 5.5G technology will pave the way for harmonized communication and sensing networks to support diverse scenarios like smart air, ground, and maritime transportation as well as smart security.

Huawei believes that previous investments made by operators to deploy 5G network infrastructure will be protected with the future launch of 5G-Advanced. Huawei’s president of wireless solution, Cao Ming, recently said during a media roundtable at Huawei’s 14th Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF), held last month in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

The executive said that 5G-Advanced networks will not require large investments by operators in new network architecture and will be launched using 5G Standalone (SA) networks. He also said that Huawei is working with its partners to make sure that future 5.5G applications, devices and services will be fully compatible with current 5G networks.

Huawei had previously said that it planned to launch a complete set of commercial 5.5G network equipment in 2024.

At the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), Huawei and e& announced the inauguration of the region’s ground-breaking net-zero 5G massive MIMO site, setting new benchmarks in sustainability and technological innovation.

This site is powered entirely by renewable energy and represents the convergence of sustainability and cutting-edge wireless technology. Massive MIMO technology, the cornerstone of 5G, improves capacity, coverage and user experience. The collaboration not only ushers a new era of green network infrastructure, highlighting the future low carbon potential of the telecom industry, it is also the region’s most energy-efficient fully off-grid 5G site to date, powered by an innovative AI-based energy management system. The expectant result is a reduction in CO2 emissions by about 26 tonnes per year.

Increasing costs and demand for 5G among barriers to reduce emissions

Since 2020, the cost of energy has risen significantly, increasing telcos’ operating costs, either directly, where they are using generators, or indirectly, where they are using the power grid. At the same time, base stations—accounting for most of the energy consumption for a typical mobile network—are increasingly equipped with 5G radios. While this enhances the user experience, it often consumes more power.

Against this backdrop, telecoms operators are constantly seeking ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs. To do that without impacting their customer experience, they need to maximise the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

Driving change through energy efficient and zero-carbon sites

As part of their efforts to pilot solutions, e& and Huawei have transformed one of the base stations into a zero-carbon site as a proof of concept at the EXPO City in Dubai, using solar panels and smart lithium ion batteries. During the daytime, the solar panels charge the batteries and supply power to the base station. In turn, the batteries supply power to the base station during the night.

The site is a model of green innovation, using solar power and smart energy storage solutions at every turn. It utilises advanced MetaAAU (64T64R with 384 antenna array), multi-band RRU—which reduces the radio weight by up to 66%—and green antennas to improve energy efficiency by up to 25%. Managed by NetEco, an artificial intelligence system, the site’s energy consumption is meticulously optimised with a focus on real-time energy management.

Huawei and e& described the base station as the first 100% off-grid 5G massive MIMO site, the first AI-based energy management site, and the first autonomous energy efficiency site in the Middle East.

To help achieve e&’s 2030 net zero goal, Huawei has also signed an MoU with e& to help with decarbonisation across all its ICT infrastructure, including RAN sites, fixed access, transport network, core, storage, and data centres. The effort to decarbonise e&’s network will employ a mix of Huawei’s energy-efficient technology innovations and solutions.

Digital Revolutions powered by Renewable Energy

On the side lines of COP28, AE4RIA and Huawei also hosted a session with the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub to “Accelerate Green Innovation” and released an important white paper titled Twin Skills for the Twin Transition: Defining Green Digital Skills and Jobs. 

Opening the event, Vicky Zhang, Vice President of Corporate Affairs from Huawei, said, “I am proud to launch the new report today with our partners. The report focuses on developing a new classification for Green Digital Skills that will define the course of action to reskill and upskill people to build and spread the net-zero technologies needed to achieve the Paris Agreement objectives.”

In an era of multiple crises, addressing economic growth without paying equal attention to sustainability is no longer possible and does not ultimately produce the expected financial results. The presence of digital technologies in almost all aspects of our lives has exponentially increased the speed of changes and impact on people and businesses—and this digital transition will only be successful if it is a clean-tech revolution. Producing the green energy required for this transition will require new skills that create new jobs, and Huawei underscored its commitment to sustainability with this paper, which serves as a blueprint for the journey.

The report is now available at: https://www.europeandigitalskills.eu/white-paper/

Richard Yu Chengdong, Huawei's CEO, recently revealed an exciting glimpse into the company's future at the annual fan club event. 

Huawei's plans for 2024 are just as exciting as the Mate 60 5G smartphone series' resounding success.

(Photo : (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images))

Huawei CEO Teases 'Disruptive' Products for 2024

South China Morning Post reports that Yu enticed tech enthusiasts with promises of "disruptive" products that would change the course of industry history. He teased products that would be "leading, innovative, and disruptive," emphasizing their commitment to innovation and catching the interest of industry observers.

The Mate 60 series, an example of Huawei's persistence despite US sanctions, marked the company's successful return to the 5G smartphone market. Despite facing significant trade restrictions, Huawei's in-house developed Kirin 9000S processor powers these devices, sparking both admiration and scrutiny.

The spotlight now falls on Huawei's in-house Kirin 9000S processor. Crafted against all odds amid stringent trade barriers, this processor has become a focal point of admiration and concern. TechInsights' teardown of the Mate 60 Pro confirmed the existence of this groundbreaking 7nm chip, defying expectations imposed by the sanctions.

While the US government's restrictions on semiconductor exports pose a challenge, Huawei's acquisition of critical components remains a mystery. 

Read Also: Apple's iPhone SE 4 Set to Debut in 2024 - Sneak Peek Reveals Stunning Features Inspired by iPhone 14

More from Huawei

Yu also stated at the event that Huawei will launch native apps and products centered on its self-developed mobile platform HarmonyOS next year, making the company one of China's top operating system operators.

The expansion of HarmonyOS with native apps and partnerships with industry giants like Alibaba and McDonald's signals Huawei's ambitions to carve its path in the operating system realm.

SCMP reports that Alibaba's fintech affiliate, Ant Group, is crafting a HarmonyOS version of its mobile payment app, Alipay. Additionally, multinational companies like McDonald's are joining Huawei's platform, indicating a growing ecosystem around HarmonyOS.

The roadmap for 2024 does not stop there. Huawei's vision includes a developer preview version of HarmonyOS Next, slated for release in the first quarter of 2024. This strategic move aims to position Huawei as a key player in China's operating system market.

The anticipation surrounding Huawei's upcoming innovations, coupled with the scrutiny from global authorities, underscores the company's pivotal role in the tech.

In Other News

To counter North Korea's growing cyber threats and spy satellite space launches, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have formed a united front, intensifying their coordinated efforts against Pyongyang's activities. 

Following pledges made earlier this year at a summit hosted by President Biden, the three countries have pledged coordinated actions to combat the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) economic coercion and nefarious cyber activities.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Huawei's New Smart Car Venture Eyes $34.67 Billion Valuation in Stake Sale to Changan Auto

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MTN’s 5G mining deployment is making waves in South Africa as the coal industry moves towards ground-breaking digitisation.

The telco giant has rolled out 5G operations across more than seven mines in the country, including Phalanndwa colliery, which became the country’s first 5G-powered mine this year.

The ongoing project, in partnership with the 5G leader Huawei, aims to improve the safety and efficiency of coal mines in the region, which currently face huge challenges.

The mining sector is a vital part of South Africa’s economy, contributing 8 per cent of the country’s total GDP, totalling €29.3 billion ($32 billion) and employing half a million people.

According to provisional statistics, 49 workers died in last year, compared to 74 in 2021. The industry also reported 1,946 serious injuries in 2022 and 2,123 in 2021.

As Huawei’s revolutionary 5G technology gathers momentum, unnecessary deaths in the mining industry could soon become a thing of the past, with cutting-edge safety measures becoming part of everyday operations.

Improving safety underground: Phalanndwa leads the way

Phalanndwa colliery, which is operated by Canyon Coal, now has two major solutions to safeguard mine employees: 5G video system and a 5G + IoT proximity detection system.

Video system can be recorded and viewed in high definition using the high bandwidth of 5G. Captured footage can then be compared with images stored in the database using reverse image search capabilities to track movements and reduce security risks.

Number plates can also be identified and automatically compared to the registered whitelist to ensure vehicles are authorised to enter secured areas.

The solution also includes image management, image analysis and data analytics to constantly improve accuracy and efficiency.

The 5G + IoT proximity detection system prevents collisions and sounds an alarm for avoiding a potential hazard.

Additionally, a 5G smart conference network was deployed in the colliery to provide an effective working environment. Plans for a 5G and artificial intelligence system to improve the efficiency of ore sorting are also underway.

Improving operational efficiency

Based on research, 5G can enable up to 25 per cent more ore production, over 40 per cent more drill rig operations and 20 per cent more energy savings by supporting automation and remote operations with its features.

As well as increasing safety, number plate recognition can control movement without human intervention, while the smart conference system optimises the working environment with remote meeting facilities, whiteboarding and conferencing tools.

The 5G + IoT Proximity Detection System can prevent collisions of vehicles, which can result in economic savings.

Finally, the deployment of 5G + AI algorithms can achieve online intelligent detection of conveyor belts and intelligent sorting of underground ore.

In the event that a conveyor belt breaks, the system will alert relevant parties to shorten the repair time. The intelligent sorting system will also use X-ray capabilities to screen ore, efficiently identifying ore grades and reducing waste.

World-class security

As with any digital system, security is key and Huawei has taken stringent measures to protect its 5G system from cyber-attacks.

The deployed solution and services are fully independent and self-contained on the private network with zero interfacing with the consumer core network. Any operations or faults on the consumer core network will not affect the private 5G network and its local services.

Additionally, the private 5G core is a Huawei Kite L-type solution, which protects critical assets with network isolation, data protection and user authentication.

Network security is also steadfast with a private mining network to reduce intermediate network links and improve end-to-end latency and bandwidth stability. The private network supports independent operation and provides efficient disaster recovery.

Trustworthy connectivity is guaranteed by built-in data protection security, which prevents cyber-attacks using anti-virus intrusion detection and heightened authentication measures.

The future of 5G mining

In order to expand their operations, Huawei and MTN have paired up with other development partners including video surveillance vendors and drone, AR and AI safety surveillance companies.

To facilitate the wide commercial use for MTN, Huawei has also developed a 5GtoB online store, where application developers and system integrators can access operators' 5G network capabilities.

Now, the focus is fixed on duplication in other mines in South Africa, multiplying operational productivity and saving lives on a national scale.