Zain scoops two major global awards

11/12/2025 04:40 AST

At the recent global Informa 5G Core Awards, that recognize operators and solution providers that are pushing the boundaries of what's possible through cutting-edge developments in 5G Core design, deployment, operation and commercialization, Zain scooped two major awards for 'Best 5G-Advanced Service Innovation' and 'Best 5G-Advanced Technology Breakthrough' in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia (KSA). These awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the heart of next-generation mobile networks, the 5G Core.

In recent years, as an integral part of its '4WARD-Progress with Purpose' corporate strategy, Zain has invested heavily on rolling out 5G-Advanced (5G-A), achieving continuous innovation in network technology deployment, service development, and core network intelligence. Both Zain Kuwait and Zain KSA were among the first nations globally to launch 5G-Advanced commercially in mid-2025, reinforcing both country's leadership in providing high-performance digital infrastructure.

Mohammad Al-Murshed, Zain Group Chief Technology Officer commented, "As a company from the region and for the region, Zain is continually enhancing its technology capabilities that drives momentum in enhancing the customer experience, digital transformation and industrial diversification of the markets we proudly serve."

He added, "Whether through technical breakthroughs, architectural innovation, efficiency optimization, service enablement or strategic business models, Zain is focused in shaping the digital infrastructure of the future, unlocking new possibilities and powering the shift toward intelligent connectivity."

The 5G core awards judging panel recognized Zain Kuwait for several innovations:

 Building a new Calling Network and Piloting AI Translation Services. As the first operator in Kuwait to commercialize VoNR (Voice over New Radio), Zain Kuwait collaborated with Huawei to build a new calling network based on the VoNR network with an open, plug-in-based approach. Taken the lead in completing the pilot of Arabic intelligent translation services, this innovation breaks down language barriers, providing over 8 million travelers visiting Kuwait annually this service, thereby facilitating smoother communication between the local community and international friends.

 Launching the "Call Screen Lighting" Featured Service: During the Arabian Gulf Cup in late 2024, Zain innovatively integrated sports events with new calling services to launch the "Call Screen Lighting" feature. When users call Zain's customer service, the call screen automatically displayed Gulf Cup football match promotional videos. This initiative not only enabled users to obtain real-time event information promptly but also provided a direction for subsequent business expansion.

 As the first telecom operator globally to launch nationwide VoNR: This revolutionary technology offers Zain's customers, without any additional cost, an unprecedented experience side by side with ultra-fast internet while making crystal-clear voice calls on compatible smartphones without interruption.

For Zain KSA, the judging panel recognized the operator's 5G-A Fixed-Mobile Convergence Technology breakthrough:

 The commercial deployment of 5.5G-A through the Mobile Home architecture by using Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC), showcased Zain KSA's inherent scalability and future-readiness. The enhancement in the operator's customer experience was a result of significantly reduced latency compared to traditional Internet-based access, overcoming public Internet bandwidth constraints and providing high-throughput, stable connection for game streaming and other services. This breakthrough is further supporting the development of the Kingdom's esports and gaming industry.

These many 5.5G-Advanced technology initiatives across Zain Kuwait and Zain KSA highlight Zain Group's achievements and innovation leadership in driving meaningful connectivity and creating systemic change for the individual, enterprises and government bodies it proudly serves.

Kuwait Times