(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) Abu Dhabi, UAE –e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of global technology group e&, and Huawei have launched the Optical Innovation Centre (OIC) to accelerate the UAE's shift to AI-ready networks, combining lab-to-field trials with co-development on enabling technologies across transport, access, and in-home experiences.

The establishment of the OIC introduces a forward-looking collaboration model that elevates the strategic relationship between the two companies to a new level. It is designed to foster technological co-innovation that supports e& UAE's leadership across three key strategic pillars: network leadership, superior user experience, and a sustainable business model. Through a series of joint innovations and lab-to-field trials under ' Network for AI' and ' AI for Network', the collaboration has delivered industry-leading trial results that reinforce e& UAE's leadership in optical network capabilities.

Abdul Rahman Al Humaidan, Senior Vice President/Access Network Development at e& UAE, said:“Enhancing user experience through AI-driven networks remains a key priority. Our collaboration introduces advanced optical capabilities, such as hollow-core fibre DCI, zero-loss protection, and fine-grained OTN, that raise performance where it matters: lower latency, predictable capacity and greater resiliency for AI workloads across the UAE.”

Yunbo Gu, President of the Optical Transmission Business Domain at Huawei, stated:“As a long-term strategic partner of e& UAE, Huawei is committed to supporting the evolution of their network infrastructure. The success of our optical innovation collaboration highlights the tangible outcomes of our joint efforts, elevating e& UAE's AI network capabilities to new heights. We look forward to continuing our partnership and contributing to the advancement of the UAE's digital infrastructure.”

These use cases are set to be incubated within the year, as detailed below:

Elastic & Lossless & Ultra-Low Latency Transport Network for AI:
In the AI era, ultra-low latency, high capacity, and agile connectivity have become essential requirements. To address these demands, e& UAE and Huawei have introduced three industry-leading innovations:

Hollow-core fibre (HCF) for AI data centre interconnection (DCI) as the region's first trial, was conducted successfully using Huawei's Kepler platform to deliver record-breaking transmission speeds of 128 Tb/s per fibre in vendor trials while cutting latency by one-third per kilometre. This landmark achievement sets a new benchmark for ultra-low-latency, high-capacity data centre connectivity, addressing the surging demands of the AI era, a seamless, zero-loss protection mechanism for DCI is tested to ensure uninterrupted remote computing performance. By eliminating packet loss where even a 0.1 per cent loss can cut AI training efficiency by up to 50 per cent, this breakthrough delivers unmatched reliability for advanced AI workloads.

Third, with another regional first, Huawei and e& UAE completed the trial of next-generation fine-grained Optical Transport Network (fgOTN) technology. The trial demonstrated dedicated, highly secure, and predictable low-latency channels with bandwidth granularity adjustable down to 10 Mbps, setting a new benchmark for meeting the stringent demands of latency-sensitive AI applications.

Conversational AI for optical Network, Advancing Toward Zero-Outage and Zero-Touch Operations:
e& UAE is evolving its optical network into an AI-based infrastructure, leveraging its Transmission Digital Map. This globally pioneering system, built on digital-twin technology and AI agents and Copilot. AssurSpirit, an AI agent that optimises transmission network scenarios by identifying 42 types of potential risks across all network layers in real time, enabling proactive warnings and leveraging the reliability. A Generative AI-based Copilot was trialled in lab to support closed-loop service planning, provisioning and performance optimisation through an intuitive conversational AI interface. The four innovations introduced through the OIC mark only the beginning. e& UAE and Huawei will continue to collaborate on cutting-edge technologies under the“Network for AI” and“AI for Network” frameworks, building a robust foundation for future AI-driven services.

About e&:

e& is a global technology group committed to advancing the digital future across markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. With the group's financial performance in 2024 showing a consolidated revenue of AED 59.2 billion and a net profit of AED 10.8 billion, e& continues to maintain its position as a financial powerhouse, reflected by its strong credit rating and solid balance sheet.

Founded in Abu Dhabi over 48 years ago, e& has evolved from a telecom pioneer into a technology group. Its footprint now spans 38 countries, offering a comprehensive portfolio of innovative digital services ranging from advanced connectivity, entertainment, streaming and financial services to AI-powered solutions, cloud computing, ICT, cybersecurity and IoT platforms.

The Group is structured around five core business pillars: e& UAE, e& international, e& life, e& enterprise and e& capital, each catering to distinct customer and market needs. These pillars empower e& to lead in various sectors, from telecom and digital lifestyle to enterprise services and venture investments. The ongoing strategic investments in AI, IoT, 5G and cloud services reinforce its leadership in the global technology landscape, driving the future of smart connectivity and innovation.

Driven by innovation, sustainability and a commitment to digital empowerment, e& is set on creating a smarter, more connected future for individuals, businesses and communities.

About e& UAE:

e& UAE is the flagship telecom arm of e& in the UAE, built on a 5-decades legacy of connectivity excellence. Our mission is to deliver world-class superior connectivity experiences that fuel the UAE's future-focused innovation.

Leveraging the latest world-class technologies, e& UAE aims to transform lives and industries, turning every connection into an opportunity for growth and every interaction into a transformative possibility.

We are focused on expanding our core services and digital marketplaces by enriching consumer value propositions that cater to new lifestyles and emerging demands beyond core telecom services, including health, insurance and gaming.

As a trusted enterprise partner, e& UAE continues to power entire industries with 5G and AI, delivering a tailored ecosystem of solutions to meet their connectivity needs and more, empowering them to automate, innovate, transform, and scale.

Strengthening our leadership position as an AI-powered telco, e& UAE delivers seamless connectivity, cutting-edge AI solutions, and sustainable innovation to uplift people and communities, and empower businesses and industries, so everyone thrives in a digital-first world.

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