5.5G to usher in a new era of AI-powered intelligence in the Middle East

Over the past five years, 5G deployment has seen rapid progress. By June 2023, there were over 260 commercial 5G networks worldwide, over 1.2 billion 5G users, and over 50,000 5G industry applications.

During the ensuing 5G era, mobile communications networks have helped create new experiences for users as the usage patterns have undergone a transformation – from voice calls and SMS to video. This evolution has enabled seamless communication and digitalisation across markets.

5G scale-up

The growth of 5G has been truly remarkable. The speed of network deployment, adoption, consumer services, and industry applications has exceeded expectations. To put this into perspective, over 260 5G networks have been deployed globally, covering nearly half of the world’s population. In comparison, 4G took six years to reach the same milestone.

Middle Eastern countries were amongst the first wave of markets deploying 5G.

The global ICT leader Huawei has helped 14 regional operators deploy 5G networks since 2018, helping its customers lead in 5G experience.

At a recent event, industry leaders May Li, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Carrier Business Group, Solution and Marketing VP, and Emaad Ahmed, Chief Expert Network Architecture Transformation and Principal Solution Consultant, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Carrier Business Group shared the company’s vision and plans to aid the region’s evolution to 5.5G.

Huawei reiterated that 5G has been a game-changer for the Middle East, but the future lies in the evolution to 5.5G.

A leap forward

The introduction of 5.5G represents a significant leap forward in mobile communications technology, promising even more astonishing capabilities. Key features of 5.5G include a 10 Gbps downlink, a 1 Gbps uplink, support for 100 billion connections, and native intelligence. With these capabilities, the potential applications of 5.5G are limitless.

In August 2023, the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) declared the triumph of Phase II in the “5G-Advanced” (5G-Advanced aka 5.5G) trials project, carried out in collaboration with UAE telecom service providers (etisalat by e& and du).

5.5G

In October 2023, UAE-based telecom operator du and Huawei unveiled the world’s first ground-breaking 5G Advanced (5G-A) demonstration villa.

The 5G-A or 5.5G Villa epitomises the integration of cutting-edge technologies, offering an unparalleled smart home experience enriched with applications such as naked-eye 3D and XR, powered by  10 Gbps networks.

In Saudi Arabia, Zain KSA unveiled new developments on the 5G-Advanced network in collaboration with Huawei in September this year. In pursuit of a shared objective to bring about an era of unmatched connectivity, the two companies are presently engaged in the ‘5.5G City Innovation Project’ in the kingdom.

Internet of Things

One of the most exciting aspects of 5.5G is its impact on the Internet of Things (IoT). 5.5G will not only transform our smartphones and mobile devices but also reshape entire industries. With support for 100 billion connections, it will facilitate the seamless connectivity of billions of IoT devices, revolutionising industries such as healthcare, logistics, and smart cities.

5.5G will also power new experiences in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). The 10 Gbps downlink ensures that high-quality, real-time 3D experiences, like those showcased in the 5.5G Villa in the UAE, become the norm. These advancements promise to blur the lines between the digital and physical worlds, unlocking new realms of creativity and entertainment.

“As new developments in AI, such as foundation models, continue to rise, the demand for AI computing power is expected to grow explosively. By 2025, this demand is projected to be 100 times greater than current levels. Advanced network capabilities are essential to unlock the full potential of AI computing power. Networks will need larger bandwidth and lower latency to enable truly intelligent connectivity,” explained May Li, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Carrier Business Group, Solution and Marketing VP.

“As we move into the 5.5G era, its integration with AI is expected to revolutionize many sectors by providing the high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connectivity that AI systems require for optimal performance,” Li added.

Future-ready network

Huawei stated that 5.5G would be a critical enabler for advanced AI applications, including autonomous vehicles and remote medical procedures, by offering the necessary network improvements to support these technologies.

The introduction of 5.5G will push edge computing from a conceptual stage to an essential part of business strategy, allowing for more immediate data processing at the source rather than in distant data centres. This will lead to transformative changes in urban development, manufacturing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), propelling us toward more efficient and insightful operations across the board.

For the IoT ecosystem, 5.5G will play a central role in creating a seamlessly connected world where AI can work harmoniously with billions of devices, facilitating large-scale automation and data analysis. This will lead to smarter residential, agricultural, and urban infrastructure, boosting productivity and fostering better environmental management.

Overall, 5.5G is anticipated to lay the groundwork for significant strides in industry innovation and the broader application of AI. As consumers, industries, and societies embrace these advances, we can look forward to a future where connectivity knows no bounds, where immersive experiences become the norm, and where the possibilities of technology continue to astound and inspire.