Zong, Pakistan’s leading data network, has announced a strategic partnership with ZTE Corporation to introduce the AIR RAN (AI Reshaped RAN) solution in the country. Featuring the industry’s first native-AI BBU alongside ZTE’s intelligent big data platform VMAX, this collaboration marks a significant step toward the creation of Pakistan’s first autonomous network. The initiative reflects both companies’ shared commitment to driving innovation in mobile technology while addressing the growing demands of data-intensive applications.
With the rising popularity of short videos, immersive services, and online gaming, Pakistan’s mobile networks are under increasing strain. Consumers are becoming highly sensitive to service quality, where long buffering times or high latency can negatively impact user satisfaction. To address these challenges, operators are under pressure to adopt intelligent RAN systems capable of adjusting to dynamic service requirements while ensuring a consistent, reliable experience. AI integration is seen as a critical solution, enabling smarter network management, improved service delivery, and greater operational efficiency. Zong and ZTE’s joint effort is positioned as a strong example of how technology partnerships can transform mobile networks and better serve end users.
The AIR RAN solution developed by ZTE applies AI to optimize multiple facets of mobile operations, including user experience, energy efficiency, and O&M efficiency. By identifying user scenarios in real time and dynamically adjusting network strategies, the system ensures high-quality delivery of premium services such as video streaming and gaming subscriptions. Beyond enhancing user satisfaction, the solution also reduces energy consumption through intelligent scheduling, helping operators manage resources more sustainably. In complex operational scenarios, it improves efficiency in field testing, cutting down on time and labor costs, while AI-driven fault tracing and security analysis strengthen system reliability and response times.
Initial trials by Zong and ZTE in Pakistan have already demonstrated tangible benefits. Sites equipped with the native-AI BBU achieved notable performance improvements, with average cell downlink throughput increasing by up to 8.2% and site traffic climbing by as much as 9.1%. These results highlight the measurable impact of deploying AI-driven RAN solutions and signal how future networks can evolve toward autonomous operation. By integrating the AIR RAN solution with the intelligent data management capabilities of VMAX, Zong and ZTE are laying the foundation for a new era of mobile services that are not only smarter but also more sustainable and efficient.
The partnership between Zong and ZTE underscores the importance of combining global expertise with local market leadership to bring advanced connectivity solutions to Pakistan. By introducing the AIR RAN solution, the companies are creating opportunities for new business models, improved network management, and differentiated user services. This collaboration reflects a long-term vision of enabling an autonomous network that can respond intelligently to evolving consumer and industry demands. The deep integration of AI into RAN systems is set to redefine connectivity standards in Pakistan, placing Zong and ZTE at the forefront of mobile technology transformation.
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