Etisalat UAE, branded as etisalat by e&, announced the successful deployment and testing of 5G Portable Private Network MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) functionality as part of a collaboration with global ICT leader Huawei Technologies.
This successful showcase is part of the Stand-Alone 5G and MEC commercialization program and enables etisalat by e& to offer a 5G-based replacement for traditional VPN, enhancing remote work experience (reach workspace anywhere, anytime) for UAE enterprises. Remote work and long-distance learning represent global trends with significant implications for accessibility, network reliability and user experience. Urban and rural communities also depend on highly accessible networks for high-speed connectivity to public resources, from health care to social services. Both accessible and convenient, a 5G Portable Private Network solution enables seamless switching between public and private networks to accelerate data delivery and boost security for services in every area of the economy.
Khaled Al Suwaidi, SVP of core networks and platforms, at etisalat by e&, said: "This deployment and testing will play a crucial role in providing a seamless experience for consumers and enterprises by enabling new and innovative 5G services in public safety, gaming, education and healthcare among others. This is in line with our long-term vision to ramp up digital services, elevate a digital-first lifestyle at the same time enable the digital transformation of governments, large enterprises and corporates. The partnership with Huawei Technologies and our investments in standalone 5G earlier this year has supported our vision to enable and empower the enterprise digitalization ecosystem enabler and facilitator.”
Gavin Wang, head of Etisalat key account at Huawei Technologies, said: "Huawei is pleased to be an entrusted 5G SA vendor of etisalat by e& and to be able to demonstrate what this latest 3GPP Rel-16 technology has to offer. We are proud to continue supporting etisalat by e& to realize its digital transformation objectives and, in particular, its vision to bring the best in smart connectivity and innovative digitalized solutions to its customers."
Traditional networks exchange data via the Internet and face various problems in doing so. Moreover, remote users typically encounter latencies and bandwidth limitations that impede processing, causing delays and interruptions. Remote access using a 5G Portable Private Network avoids the time-consuming terrain that is the Internet and eliminates those latencies and performance drawbacks. Once a 5G Portable Private Network is in place, remote end users can seamlessly access corporate intranets from anywhere, at any point in time. They can enjoy increased reliability and excellent online experiences because they can avoid repeated logins, connection latencies and data risks. These users also have the freedom to use their personal devices for improved, faster connections, enhancing productivity while protecting data exchanges.
The technology offers numerous benefits for both students and faculty in education. For example, unlike the expense related to opening individual Portable Private Network accounts and associated vulnerabilities, students who use a mobile Portable Private Network no longer require authorization. Since the 5G Portable Private Network dedicated network is interconnected with the institution's network, these users can depend on airtight security via the campus intranet to perform a multitude of tasks remotely. These include accessing online teaching applications, checking exam results, choosing classes and conducting research. These sessions eliminate repeated logins, allowing both students and teachers to switch between the Internet and internal networks seamlessly.
Etisalat Group has changed its brand identity to “e&,” effective February 2022. Its strategy aims to accelerate growth through the creation of a resilient business model represented by the Group’s main business pillars.
The telecoms business currently continues to be led by etisalat by e& in both the Group’s home market and e& international markets, upholding the Group’s rich telecoms heritage, bolstering the strong telecoms network and maximizing value for the Group’s various customer segments.
Streamlining digital services for individuals to elevate their digital-driven lifestyle, e& life brings next-generation technologies through smart platforms in entertainment, retail and financial technology. e& enterprise focuses on maximizing value through its end-to-end solutions in cybersecurity, cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as deploying mega projects, in order to enable the digital transformation of governments, large-scale enterprises and corporates. e& capital allows the Group to focus its efforts on driving new investments while maximizing shareholder value and strengthening the Group’s global presence.