Ericsson, e& Ink Deal to Upgrade UAE’s 5G Core Network
The core network overhaul, announced at GITEX 2025, builds on an earlier radio upgrade and positions e& UAE to deliver faster, lower-latency 5G services across industries.
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[Image source: Chetan Jha/MITSMR Middle East]
Swedish telecom giant Ericsson has signed a new agreement with UAE operator e& to modernize the country’s 5G core infrastructure, building on their earlier pact to boost 5G radio coverage.
Announced at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, the partnership will see Ericsson deploy its latest cloud-native core network technologies across e& UAE’s network.
The project aims to deliver faster, reliable mobile connections and power next-generation services such as immersive gaming, connected factories, and smart public services.
The upgrade focuses on key components of Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core platform, including systems that manage user data, voice calls, and device authentication.
By shifting to a virtualized, software-driven core, e& hopes to launch new services more quickly and reduce call drops and delays.
“Upgrading our 5G core with Ericsson is about making everyday connectivity simpler, faster and more dependable,” said Khaled Al Suwaidi, senior vice president of Core Networks and Platforms, e& UAE. “It also strengthens how we support businesses, from smart industry to public services, with secure and reliable connectivity.”
Ericsson’s Petra Schirren, who heads the company’s operations in the Gulf and across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, called the tie-up a step toward “high-performance connectivity needed to power innovation across industries.”
She said the deal supports the UAE’s broader push to lead on digital infrastructure and tech adoption.
The UAE’s 5G device market is growing fast. Revenue from 5G-enabled devices hit $3.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to triple by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
This is not the first time the two companies have collaborated on next-gen telecom.
In January, Ericsson and e& signed a three-year deal to overhaul the UAE’s 5G Radio Access Network.
That earlier agreement included the rollout of Ericsson’s new 5G Advanced solutions, including RedCap, a lightweight version of 5G for devices like smartwatches and industrial sensors.
The UAE became the first country in the Middle East and Africa to commercially adopt the RedCap standard.
With the core and access layers of the 5G network now getting a joint refresh, e& is positioning itself to offer more personalized, low-latency services to consumers and enterprises alike.
