Microsoft’s Move in Telecom – 5G Partnership with Etisalat and AI Innovations Reshape Industry
Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) is intensifying its efforts to become a significant player in the telecom equipment market, traditionally dominated by giants like Huawei Technologies .
The software behemoth has inked a deal with Etisalat (e&), headquartered in Abu Dhabi, to construct a 5G standalone network across the United Arab Emirates.
This collaboration marks Microsoft’s second major telecom project, following a partnership with AT&T, leveraging its Azure Operator Nexus hybrid cloud, Nikkei Asia reports.
Announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the world’s largest telecom industry event, this move is a significant stride for Microsoft and a victory for the Open RAN initiative.
Open RAN seeks to democratize the telecom infrastructure market, long ruled by a few key players, by promoting common standards for base stations and enhancing competition and innovation.
The launch of the AI radio access network (RAN) Alliance alongside industry leaders such as Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:NVDA), Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), Softbank, and T-Mobile US, Inc (NASDAQ:TMUS) further underscores Microsoft’s commitment to integrating AI into connectivity solutions, showcasing its potential to reshape the future of telecom infrastructure.
