Zain, a mobile operator functioning in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, has selected Parallel Wireless’ open radio access network (O-RAN) to modernise its existing 2G and 3G networks to deliver operational efficiency. Zain is aiming to fully virtualise its 2G and 3G networks through Parallel Wireless’ unified 2G/3G/4G/5G mobile architecture as part of its modernisation initiative for cost saving and future-proofing its networks for 4G and 5G.

Parallel Wireless innovative virtualised multi-technology ORAN solution disaggregates hardware and software to make deployments easy and affordable to install, maintain and upgrade to any future technology with converged wireless system (CWS), which is an all in one multi-technology software-defined GPP-based base station. This would allow Zain to replace the legacy 2G and 3G systems, run 2G and 3G simultaneously on the same base station, and provide superior data and voice services to its customers. The multi-technology CWS nodes are easy to deploy and maintain, and enable a clear technology evolution from 2G to 3G/4G/5G. In addition, with the help of resilient wireless mesh for backhaul, CWS eliminates the need to provide more expensive transport.

Speaking on the occasion, Hisham Allam, group chief technology officer (CTO), Zain said, “We believe that virtualised Open RAN offers tremendous growth opportunities for Zain to reduce costs and drive new revenue growth. Our selection of Parallel Wireless as a strategic partner enables us to build an efficient, unified, cost-effective network to better service our customers with video, gaming, health, IoT, and education services. Parallel Wireless provided a level of expertise and innovation across unified fully virtualised Open vRAN that allowed us to experience significant savings.”

Further, Amrit Heer, head of business development, EME, Parallel Wireless said, “Operators on six continents have realised the transformative cost-saving benefits that Parallel Wireless virtualised Open RAN can deliver to their networks and their bottom line. We are excited to partner with Zain, a truly innovative operator that is a first-mover in their region, to deliver a unified network to allow their customers to experience the new services that will be possible over all generations of technologies, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G.”