On The Sidelines of MWC23

Zain KSA and Nokia sign MoU to accelerate sustainability efforts

The two parties will make efforts together to bring down carbon emissions and bridge the digital divide.

The MoU reiterates a strong partnership between the two companies and confirms Zain KSA's unswerving commitment to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, March 2, 2023: Zain KSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nokia, a B2B technology innovation leader, to maximize efficiency and accelerate its sustainability efforts, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and Saudi Green and Middle East Green Initiatives. The MoU was signed during Mobile World Congress (MWC23)in Barcelona. As part of the MoU, Zain KSA and Nokia will collaborate on innovative solutions to address environmental and societal issues. The companies will evolve Nokia Self-Organizing Network (SON) use cases to boost energy savings. Through this collaboration, the two parties will make efforts to continue the digitalization journey in the Kingdom, bridging the digital divide and ensuring inclusive access to opportunities

To reduce their carbon footprint, Zain KSA and Nokia will explore initiatives to modernize the legacy components of the network and introduce more energy-efficient platforms within responsible business standards They will accelerate digital transformation across industries and drive the evolution of the 5G network and deployment of sustainable technology across various sectors.

Commenting on this milestone, Zain KSA Chief Technology Officer Eng Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda said, "At Zain KSA, we are fully committed to providing meaningful connectivity to empower our communities and contribute to the national sustainability goals. Zain KSA is proud to collaborate with Nokia as part of our strategic priority to maintain a responsible supply chain and drive sustainable business practices, especially as we expand our networks across new sectors. We will leverage our expertise to exceed customers' expectations and balance efficiency and resource optimization. To help address environmental issues, we are creating long-term sustainable value and digital solutions that bring us closer to our net-zero target, in line with Saudi Vision 2030."

"We believe that digitalization and connectivity are crucial in resolving environmental, social, and economic challenges," said Eng. Mohammed Al-Keridy, Head of Zain KSA Customer Team at Nokia." This positions energy efficiency at the core of our solutions, as we are committed to helping service providers adopt sustainable practices without impacting the quality of their services. "Our partnership with Zain KSA will boost our contribution to Saudi Vision 2030 and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices in the region." Zain achieved a carbon disclosure rating of (A-), a classification for companies by CDP that disclose information on the environmental impact of their initiatives and operations combating climate change; Zain KSA continues to adopt sustainable practices, including the recently launched the Um Al Shogog reforestation and rehabilitation campaign, in cooperation with the Environmental Green Horizons Society, to increase biodiversity and conserve natural resources. With its first electric vehicle charging station at Granada Business Center in Riyadh, Zain KSA reinforces its pivotal role as a critical enabler of world-class sustainable services across the Kingdom.

Commenting on the MoU, Zain KSA's Chief Technology Officer, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda said: "The expansion of the use of 5G technologies, the significant increase in networked devices, and the increasing consumption of content services have led to increasing pressure on networks, and our cooperation with Cisco is an important step to keep pace with this development and accelerate the digital transformation journey." He added: "This MoU is in line with our strategy to innovate, deliver integrated digital experiences to our customers, and enhance their experiences across the Kingdom, accelerating the realization of Saudi Vision 2030 goals." Adam MacHale, Vice President, Service Provider EMEA at Cisco, commented: "Cisco's model-driven approach to network automation with open APIs and service orchestration will help Zain KSA simplify operations and deliver services more quickly across the entire lifecycle. This will enable Zain KSA to improve the quality of its services and continue to deliver a superior customer experience over broadband through reliable and high-speed connectivity."

Nokia's approach to sustainability centers around its purpose, creating technology that helps the world act together. The company focuses on the impact of its technology and digitalization on the world. Through its handprint, Nokia maximizes its positive effects on society, people, and the planet. But the company also ensures it works continually to minimize its potential negative impact and footprint.

This approach is built on a foundation of responsible, ethical business practices. Nokia is recognized for its transparent ESG disclosure, practices, and achievements by leading ratings, ranking organizations, and other international initiatives. Recent examples include the accomplishment of A- by CDP and a rating of AAA (on a scale of AAA-CCC) in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment in December 2022. In September 2022, Nokia was awarded as the best newcomer by RE100 for its work on renewable energy.