Page 48 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

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it offers integrated antenna information sensor unit (AISU) and spectrum auction by the Saudi Arabian Communications, Space
remote azimuth steering (RAS) capabilities, allowing operators to and Technology Commission (CST), in which Zain KSA secured
remotely monitor antenna performance and adjust the azimuth 30MHz in the 600MHz frequency band. The auction increased total
in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. This two-dimensional licensed frequencies for mobile networks by 27% to 1,400 MHz
beam adjustment is described as a breakthrough compared to and, says Zain, positions Saudi Arabia as the leading G20 country
traditional antennas, which typically allow only vertical tilting. in spectrum allocation below 6GHz. These developments, it adds,
Remote calibration reduces the need for on-site visits, lowering have paved the way for Huawei to introduce the Riyadh Antenna.
opex and improving maintenance efficiency. Zain explains
that this innovation comes in the wake of the recent landmark

Huawei and Saudi MCIT Launch Future Skills Center to Boost Digital Talent
and Innovation

Huawei and the Ministry of Communications and Information sustainable growth. Liam Zhao noted that the initiative aligns with
Technology (MCIT) officially inaugurated the Future Skills Center in Huawei’s priority of fostering local talent and expanding digital
Riyadh, reinforcing their commitment to empowering Saudi national skills access, transforming inspiration from the original Future
talent and advancing the kingdom’s digital transformation aligned Space into tangible momentum supporting Saudi’s digital future.
with Vision 2030. The opening ceremony was attended by high- The Center offers training, certifications, and real-world application
ranking officials including H.E. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister of opportunities to cultivate competitive capabilities and inspire the
Communications and IT; H.E. Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to next generation of Saudi innovators.
Saudi Arabia; Eng. Murhaf Al-Madani from the Ministry of Education;
Eng. Mansour Al-Qurashi, Deputy Minister of Communications
and IT; Safa Al-Rashed, Deputy Minister of Future Jobs and
Capabilities; and Huawei Saudi Arabia’s Chairman Liam Zhao.
The Future Skills Center expands upon the success of Huawei’s
2022 Future Space exhibition—one of the largest tech showcases
outside China—that attracted over 35,000 visitors and delivered
270+ training sessions to 10,000+ participants. The Center now
serves as a dynamic hub for immersive learning in cutting-edge
technologies like AI, 5G, and smart applications across industries.
H.E. Haytham AlOhali emphasized the Center’s role in developing
human capital and driving economic growth through advanced
digital skills development. Ambassador Chang Hua highlighted the
deepening China-Saudi cooperation in innovation, education, and
technology, underlining the importance of knowledge exchange for

Nokia Boss Seeks to Tap Into AI Supercycle

Opportunity

Nokia CEO Justin Hotard hinted at an Lundmark, explained he had spent his first Capital Markets Day on 19 November.
upcoming strategy shift focused on the quarter as CEO engaging with stakeholders On to the numbers, revenue was up 2 per
critical role connectivity will play in the and the standout message was around cent year-on-year to just shy of €4.6 billion,
AI supercycle, as a decline in its Mobile connectivity for AI, not only for CSPs and with a 25 per cent revenue increase from
Networks division and currency and tariff hyperscalers but also for new areas like Network Infrastructure and a 10 per cent
headwinds weighed on its Q2 results. defence and national security. “With our uptick in Cloud and Network Services offset
The Finnish vendor released its full Q2 portfolio in mobile and fiber access, data by a weak Mobile Networks performance.
earnings a day after issuing preliminary center and transport networks, Nokia is Revenue from Mobile Networks dipped 13
numbers which revealed it had lowered its uniquely positioned to be a leader in this per cent to €1.7 billion, due to lower activity
full year operating profit outlook, blaming market transition,” he said. He added that in India and the fact the unit benefitted
the impact of US tariffs and weakness of the company had a great opportunity to from accelerated revenue recognition the
the US dollar. In a statement, Hotard, who drive a unified vision, and the company year before. Total profit for the period hit
took the role in April to replace Pekka would reveal more on this strategy at its €96 million, up from a loss of €142 million

48 JUNE-JULY 2025