Page 47 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025
P. 47
REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS
Huawei Outlines Opportunities for Driving Growth for Carriers at MWC
Shanghai 2025
During MWC Shanghai 2025, Eric Xu, Huawei's Deputy Chairman needs yet might find it more challenging to achieve growth,” added
and Rotating Chairman, outlined four strategic pathways for driving Xu.
growth in the telecommunications industry as carriers face new 2. Boosting HD Video Through Ecosystem Collaboration
challenges in an increasingly mature market. In a keynote address Despite video comprising roughly 50% of mobile traffic, Xu
to industry leaders, Xu acknowledged that while the telecoms identified a significant gap in high-definition video consumption.
sector has experienced rapid growth over the past four decades, it In tier-1 Chinese cities, 1080p and higher-definition video
now faces a period of stable development, where "basic consumer accounts for only 22% of total mobile video traffic. "A 1080p video
needs are already met in major markets, and revenue growth is generates five times more traffic than its 360p counterpart," Xu
stagnating." Four Pathways to Sustainable Growth explained, emphasizing the revenue potential for carriers who
1. Meeting Evolving User Demands with High Growth Potential can successfully coordinate with content providers (OTT), device
Xu highlighted emerging high-value user segments that present manufacturers, and network equipment vendors to address pricing
significant opportunities for carriers. Professional delivery riders, and technical barriers.
for example, have grown from 30 million globally in 2020 to 70 3. Accelerating 5G Vehicle Connectivity
million in 2024, with projections reaching 160 million by 2030. Addressing the slow adoption of 5G-connected vehicles, projected
"Food delivery riders' minutes of usage is four times that of an to represent only 30% of cars sold in China by 2025, Xu called for
average user, and their data usage is twice as high, resulting in industry-wide collaboration to address cost barriers, particularly
ARPU that's 1.6 times higher," Xu noted. Similarly, the livestreaming those related to intellectual property rights and T-Box pricing. He
profession has expanded from 10 million practitioners in 2022 to proposed a dual-connectivity approach, separating connections for
an estimated 50 million in 2024, with projections reaching 130 vehicle cockpits (using B2C models) and T-Box connectivity (using
million by 2030. These users consume five times more data than B2B models) while maintaining that autonomous vehicles must be
the average user, generating four times the average revenue per capable of independent operation without network dependency.
user (ARPU). He also highlighted that live streamers and esports 4. Expanding FTTR to Small and Medium Businesses
gamers are a new, fast-growing segment of high-value users for Building on the success of Fiber to the Room (FTTR) in premium
carriers. “If we look at the global market, it's clear that demands residential markets, Xu outlined opportunities to extend this
promise high growth potential, and carriers who've met these technology to micro and small businesses. With over 500 million
needs are growing fast. Carriers who haven't ramped up for these such businesses worldwide, FTTR solutions can address common
challenges, including poor Wi-Fi coverage, unreliable connections
for critical applications, and limited device connectivity. "With FTTR,
carriers can bring fiber broadband to micro and small businesses
too," Xu said, noting that China currently has an estimated 75
million FTTR users compared to 500,000 in other countries.
Tailored Approaches for Different Markets
Xu concluded by emphasizing the need for customized growth
strategies: "Every carrier is different. Their markets are different,
their business environments are different—and so is their
competitive landscape. So, the pathways to growth are different
too." "Huawei is always ready and willing to work together, helping
carriers explore opportunities unique to them and carve out the
right pathways to long-term, sustainable growth," he concluded.
Huawei and Zain Announce Antenna Innovation for Saudi Arabia
Technology giant Huawei and Saudi Arabian operator Zain KSA on sites and allowing deployment in areas previously restricted
have announced the launch of the Riyadh Antenna Platform, which by high wind load concerns. Lower EPA also directly translates to
the partners describe as a groundbreaking innovation tailored to reduced structural reinforcement costs and faster, more flexible
meet the unique needs of the Saudi telecommunications market. deployments. In addition the Riyadh Antenna integrates multiple
The Riyadh Antenna Platform, named after the country’s capital, antenna arrays within a single, sleek design, enhancing network
is said to represent a significant departure from traditional panel coverage without increasing the antenna footprint, crucial for
antennas. For example, unlike legacy panel antennas that are flat urban environments where site space is limited, helping operators
and large, the Riyadh Antenna leverages a cylindrical structure, maximize site utility without compromising performance. Compact
decreasing the effective projected area (EPA) by 30% to 60%. This and space-efficient deployment reduces site rental costs but also
design minimizes wind resistance, reducing the physical stress simplifies deployment in space-constrained locations. In addition,
47 JUNE-JULY 2025