Huawei Technologies will deploy a next generation wireless network for – King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in cooperation with Intel. The MoU will require the Chinese firm to deploy a solution for building access and core WiMAX network in the KASCT lab.

The lab is to be used for showcasing WiMAX technology, testing interoperability and optimizing network performance.

Commenting on the event during the signing ceremony, His Highness Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed Al Saud, vice-president for Research Institutes at KACST, said, “We are pleased to be hosts for each of Intel Corporation and Huawei in their signing of the memorandum of understanding, which represents an important milestone towards the launch of the Wireless Technologies Research and Development Center. We believe that the expertise offered by Intel, coupled by the advanced equipment provided by Huawei, will play a major role in making the center succeed. Companies working in the field of telecommunications, along with research centers and universities, will soon be able to benefit from the offerings of the center.”

On his part, Mr. Liu Qi, CEO of Huawei in Saudi Arabia, said, “We take pride in the confidence shown to us by each of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and Intel Corporation to provide the Wireless Technologies Research and Development Center with the necessary tools and equipment. We are pleased that Huawei will contribute towards the success of the center’s mission, which aims to support scientific research and contribute to the spread of WiMAX networks in the region.”

The KACST centre will serve the Middle East, Turkey and Africa acting as a hub for other branch laboratories. The lab will undertake responsibilities including validation for WiMAX infrastructure equipment and terminals, interoperability testing, studies for performance optimization, pre-certification for qualified products and experimentation with new WiMAX services and applications.

The lab will also make use of best known methods from other regions to help stimulate new innovative ideas for network deployment in the region.