ZTE Company has marked a new chapter in industrial digital transformation in the UAE by completing a successful Proof-of-Concept (PoC) trial of a private 5G network. In collaboration with e& UAE, the telecommunications division of the global technology group e&, ZTE is establishing a scalable foundation to meet the UAE’s growing demand for secure, high-performance connectivity across key sectors. The joint effort reflects both parties’ commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and enabling smarter, more efficient industries in the region.

Accelerating Industrial Connectivity in the UAE

The PoC trial showcases ZTE Company’s technical strength and readiness to meet emerging connectivity requirements in complex industrial environments. The private 5G network market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) shows promising growth. It is expected to rise from $246 million in 2024 to $679 million by 2029 (Omdia, 2024). 

ZTE and e& UAE are positioning themselves as early leaders in providing practical, high-performance solutions for enterprise sectors. Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Acting Senior Vice President, Mobile Network at e& UAE, remarked on the trial’s significance, “This successful PoC trial underscores the strength of our collaboration with ZTE, combining their advanced 5G private network solutions with our expertise in enterprise digital transformation. Together, we are driving innovation to empower UAE enterprises with secure, scalable, and efficient connectivity solutions that accelerate their journey toward smart industries and sustainable growth.”

Building Infrastructure for Next-Generation Industry

The private 5G PoC trial conducted in Abu Dhabi delivered practical validation for advanced enterprise applications. The test leveraged multiple frequency bands—millimeter wave (26GHz), mid-band (4.9GHz), and low-band (700MHz)—to demonstrate high-performance connectivity across a range of industrial use cases.

Multi-Band Spectrum Strategy

This multi-band approach offers both flexibility and reliability across enterprise environments. High-frequency millimeter waves provide ultra-high-speed data for bandwidth-intensive tasks, while mid- and low-band options support broader coverage and deeper indoor penetration—ideal for industrial parks, warehouses, and logistics facilities.

Key Achievements of the Trial

The trial delivered several concrete technical outcomes that reinforce the viability of 5G private networks in complex, mission-critical environments.

Uplink-Oriented Solution

One of the most notable results was the achievement of a single-cell uplink speed of up to 2.04 Gbps using a 1D3U frame structure. This uplink-centric configuration is highly relevant to enterprise use cases such as real-time high-definition video transmission for CCTV systems, industrial monitoring, and intelligent surveillance networks.

NodeEngine Edge Computing Integration

The trial also featured ZTE’s NodeEngine edge computing solution, which enables ultra-fast deployment and efficient network management. This plug-and-play approach reduced setup time to under an hour using a single VGC board, requiring no separate core network configuration. Such efficiency lowers operational complexity and supports enterprises looking to deploy localized networks without extensive technical resources.

Amer Atallah, Chief Strategy Officer for ZTE’s e& account, highlighted the broader implications, saying, “This trial demonstrates ZTE’s readiness to deliver scalable, high-performance private network solutions, enabling enterprises to achieve greater efficiency and innovation. ZTE and e& UAE are set to lead the development of next-generation private network infrastructure, driving growth in the UAE’s digital economy.”

Enabling Smart Sectors: Use Case Readiness

The demonstrated private 5G architecture has direct implications for a range of high-priority verticals in the UAE. By addressing the connectivity, latency, and management needs of industry-specific applications, ZTE and e& UAE are enabling use cases that span critical economic infrastructure.

Smart Ports and Airports

Real-time video monitoring, AI-based logistics coordination, and remote machinery operations in ports and airports depend on ultra-reliable, high-speed networks. ZTE’s trial infrastructure supports low-latency and high-bandwidth communications required for autonomous cargo handling and flight operations monitoring.

Industrial Parks and Manufacturing

The trial’s scalability offers an advantage for industrial parks with multiple tenants and varied operational requirements. Private 5G ensures isolated, secure, and performance-optimized connectivity for each production unit, helping manufacturers adopt automation and real-time quality inspection systems.

Healthcare Facilities

In medical environments, fast and secure connectivity supports high-resolution video consultations, real-time patient monitoring, and secure data exchange between departments. The trial’s low-latency capabilities are especially beneficial for applications that demand immediate data processing and decision-making.

ZTE Company Aligning with Enterprise Expectations

Enterprises are increasingly turning to private networks for their operational advantages. According to Omdia’s 2024 report “2025 Trends to Watch: Private 5G Is One Step Away from Success and One from Failure,” 61% of businesses report improved production and efficiency after deploying private 5G networks. This trend is consistent with ZTE’s approach in the UAE trial, which demonstrated how scalable and simplified network architecture can meet the immediate and future needs of industry.

Addressing Complexity in Multi-Site Deployments

Many large enterprises operate across multiple sites with diverse infrastructure conditions. ZTE’s solutions address these complexities by enabling consistent deployment models and centralized management tools. This also ensures efficient network operation across various physical locations.

Reducing Time-to-Operation

By using plug-and-play architecture and minimizing on-site technical intervention, ZTE’s approach reduces time-to-operation significantly. This is particularly relevant for companies that need to implement connectivity solutions quickly to support expansion, upgrades, or specific event-driven needs.

Strategic Implications for UAE’s Digital Economy

The collaboration between ZTE and e& UAE is aligned with national efforts to advance digital transformation and industrial competitiveness. The PoC trial contributes directly to initiatives aimed at creating smart cities, improving supply chain resilience, and enabling data-driven public services.

Supporting Government Goals

As part of the UAE’s national innovation strategies and Industry 4.0 initiatives, private 5G networks are becoming essential infrastructure. By validating technical feasibility and deployment practicality, this trial helps fast-track the real-world integration of smart technologies across the public and private sectors.

Building Digital Sovereignty

Deploying private networks using local spectrum and infrastructure contributes to digital sovereignty by enabling data processing and control to remain within organizational or national boundaries. This is especially critical in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and defense.

Looking Ahead

The success of the private 5G PoC trial is more than a milestone for ZTE Company; it reflects a turning point in how UAE enterprises will approach digital infrastructure going forward. The demonstrated capabilities of ZTE’s NodeEngine, multi-band connectivity strategy, and simplified deployment model form a strong base for scaling these networks across the country’s industrial backbone.

With market forecasts pointing to accelerating growth in the region, ZTE and e& UAE are well-positioned to offer tested, field-validated solutions that meet real enterprise demands. Their joint work not only strengthens regional infrastructure but sets a precedent for future collaborations that combine deep technical expertise with strategic alignment.

By translating complex requirements into deployable architectures, ZTE is proving that private 5G networks are no longer a future concept—they are ready for enterprise use today. As industries evolve and demand more intelligent infrastructure, ZTE’s contributions will continue to influence how digital transformation unfolds in the UAE and beyond.