Batelco, Bahrain’s leading digital solutions provider and Ericsson, the world-renowned technology solutions provider, have joined forces to collaborate on the development of 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases. The Memordandum of Understanding (MoU) will help drive innovation and early IoT applications on 5G mobile network technology based on the market requirements in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The primary objective of this collaboration is to develop a joint understanding of 5G use cases, requirements and deployment scenarios, as well as to evaluate performance and applicability of potential 5G key technology components.

Batelco Bahrain CEO Eng. Muna Al Hashemi and Ericsson GCC and Pakistan Head Tarek Saadi signed an MoU on 5G and IoT collaboration on the sidelines of GITEX 2016, the biggest annual ICT event in the MENA region taking place in Dubai from October 16 to 20.

Batelco has been serving both the corporate and consumer markets through the delivery of advanced fixed and wireless telecommunications solutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain. As an early adopter of LTE, it was the first operator to launch LTE in December 2011. In partnership with Ericsson, Batelco has also delivered LTE-Advanced and VoLTE in Bahrain.

Under this agreement, Batelco and Ericsson will jointly recognize and develop proof of concept for feasible use cases to meet the needs of industries in Bahrain. They will also collaborate on corresponding vertical use cases and will implement narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) for massive machine-type communication while advancing cloud architecture to enable 5G and NB-IoT technologies. The two partners aim to trial 5G capable radio technology and 5G Plug-in software in the existing 4G networks.

Commenting on the partnership Eng. Al Hashemi said: “It is part of our commitment to people and industries in Bahrain to continuously upgrade our platforms for offering cutting edge technology and creating new possibilities.Through this collaboration with our trusted partner, Ericsson, we aim to step ahead in to the future of the connected devices as a technology leader and empower the transformation of our industries and society.“

Ericsson 5G Radio Prototypes are the first products designed to enable operators to conduct live field trials in their own networks. Ericsson enables operators to move beyond the 5G hype of lab-based speed tests and gain a greater understanding of the potential for 5G in their own network environments and markets.

“As 5G technology expands and evolves over the coming years, collaboration amongst the industry players is key to set the foundation for the Networked Society, where anything that can benefit from a connection, will be connected,” said Ericsson Middle East and Africa President Rafiah Ibrahim.

”We are happy to collaborate with our partner Batelco to empower people, business and society in Bahrain to pave the way for advanced and innovative technologies that 5G will enable,” she added.