Middle East Telecommunications Company (Metco), a leading integrator of telecommunication and information technology solutions in the Middle East and Africa, and NEC Corporation (NEC), a leading provider of IT and network solutions, have announced a new contract with Zain Kuwait that will enable the operator to increase its LTE, 3G and 2G network capacity.

Metco’s in-depth mobile network expertise, combined with NEC’s iPasolink series of advanced microwave radio solutions and network management system, will upgrade Zain Kuwait’s backhaul transmission network to meet growing mobile broadband demand. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

Metco, which has a strategic relationship with Zain for more than 25 years ago, also indicated that the new Zain Kuwait microwave network will be one of the most extensive in the world.

Chief executive officer of Zain Kuwait, Omar Al-Omar said: “We have established a fruitful relationship with Metco over the last 25 years, where they were our partners in the journey to success during that period.”

Al-Omar added: “The most significant accomplishment was Metco’s involvement in the backhaul upgrade for the launch of our nationwide LTE service two years ago that has been providing our customers with a reliable and ultra-fast mobile Internet speed in Kuwait.”

Al-Omar elaborated that he values Metco’s efforts and the advanced technologies that they are providing with NEC to support the very high growth in demand that is expected for Zain Kuwait’s LTE network in 2014. The joint technologies of Metco and NEC will support Zain achieve the best technological solutions and help offer its customers an exciting network experience, he said.

Metco chief executive officer Bassem A Jalil stated: “We are determined to attain premium technology solutions that measure up to the best international standards. By joining forces with NEC we were able to provide the most advanced backhaul solution for Zain’s 2G/3G and LTE network.” - TradeArabia News Service