China Unicom Releases 5G-Advanced Action Plan During Asian Winter Games

China Unicom officially unveiled its 5G-Advanced Action Plan at the Powering the Asian Winter Games with 10 Gbps Connectivity Press Conference in Harbin, which brought together many industry, academia, and media representatives. China Unicom is the official communications and cloud service partner of the 9th Asian Winter Games, and this action plan represents a key step for the carrier on their 5G evolution journey, as part of their broader efforts to bring better network experiences to users and facilitate the digital transformation of various industries.

According to the action plan, China Unicom will launch 5G-Advanced services in the central areas of 39 key cities and key locations in over 300 other cities by the end of 2025. It will launch the 5G-Advanced Xinghuo Program and the 5G-Advanced Baichuan Program, which are aimed at promoting industry-specific applications and AI applications, respectively. China Unicom will also lead the establishment of a device ecosystem alliance for converged innovation in order to deepen collaboration with upstream and downstream partners and jointly build up the 5G-Advanced industry ecosystem. Currently, China Unicom runs more than 2 million 5G base stations, which account for over 40% of the total 5G base stations worldwide, to serve 290 million users.

Wang Limin, China Unicom’s Deputy General Manager, said, “China Unicom is using 5G-Advanced and F5G-Advanced technologies to provide high-speed, intelligent, and secure 10 Gbps communications services for the Asian Winter Games. Based on the action plan just released, China Unicom will work with various partners to build up the 5G-Advanced industry ecosystem and contribute more to a digital China.”

Cao Ming, Vice President of Huawei and President of Huawei Wireless Solutions, stated that, since the mobile AI era has begun, the continued integration of 5G-Advanced and AI will transform traditional mobile businesses and create huge opportunities for the mobile industry, shaping new experiences, applications, and services. Huawei will continue to innovate, integrate 5G-Advanced and AI, and work on both Networks for AI and AI for Networks. Regarding Networks for AI, Huawei will optimally utilize spectrum resources, and improve network performance and user experiences, while reducing network cost per bit. As for AI for Networks, Huawei plans to use digital sites and wireless AI agents to help carriers build Level 4 Autonomous Networks with higher quality and efficiency. “Huawei and China Unicom will work and innovate together to support the development of 5G-Advanced and AI.”

As the official partner of the 9th Asian Winter Games, China Unicom is applying a wide range of industry-leading technologies to deliver high-speed, stable, and reliable networks for the event with the support of a 1,000-member network assurance team. China Unicom provides 10 Gbps 5G-Advanced networks for key venues to ensure high-speed and stable network experiences for all athletes, staff, and audiences. This also comprehensively improves the event’s broadcast services by enabling a number of innovative services, such as multi-channel HD live streaming by the media and KOLs, on-demand HD videos, and VR broadcasting.

This press conference marks a key milestone in China Unicom’s 5G-Advanced R&D and application journey. China Unicom will continue to leverage new advanced technologies to support the success of the 9th Asian Winter Games, and accelerate the digital and intelligent transformation of various industries for an intelligent future.

Through their strategic partnership, China Unicom and Huawei have extensively worked on technological innovation, network construction, and application development to support the development of the 5G-Advanced industry.

In November 2024, China Unicom Beijing and Huawei officially launched the world’s first large-scale integrated 5G-Advanced intelligent network, which is an ultra-large-scale commercial 5G-Advanced three component carrier (3CC) network. The network covers Beijing’s central area, the Workers’ Stadium, and the Great Wall scenic area, and supports a range of innovative applications, such as immersive video, UHD shallow compression, and low-altitude tourism. Showcases of the self-provisioning and self-optimization functions of 5G-Advanced sites have also been built in these areas. This shows how 5G-Advanced can become a reality and light the way forward for a bright future.

AmiViz recently announced a strategic distribution agreement with Titania. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to enhancing network security and the operational resilience of enterprises across the region.

With cyber threats growing in scale and sophistication, organisations are under increasing pressure to ensure their networks are secure, compliant, and optimised. Titania’s world-renowned solutions, including its flagship product, Nipper Enterprise, provide near-real-time visibility and analysis of all network configuration changes to detect exposure to the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) used by even advanced threats such as Volt and Salt Typhoon. By automating posture reporting and identifying potential indicators of compromise, it helps streamline organisations’ incident responses and improves security outcomes.

The agreement enables AmiViz to bring Titania’s innovative solutions to its extensive partner ecosystem, catering to critical industries such as finance, healthcare, energy, and government. AmiViz offers resellers and system integrators seamless access to Titania’s advanced solutions, along with value-added services like training, technical support, and pre-sales assistance through its vast network of channel partners.

This partnership is poised to address a growing demand in the Middle East and Africa for proactive cybersecurity measures. Titania’s precise and automated network risk management capabilities align with the region’s focus on digital transformation, where secure and resilient networks are essential to success. By leveraging AmiViz’s deep market expertise and established distribution network, Titania’s solutions are set to reach a wide range of customers looking to enhance proactive network security.

Commenting on the partnership, Ilyas Mohammed, AmiViz’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are excited to partner with Titania, whose innovative approach to proactive configuration security addresses a critical need in today’s cybersecurity landscape. Together, we aim to equip enterprises across the Middle East and Africa with the tools they need to safeguard their networks and ensure operational resilience.”

Titania CEO, Victoria Dimmick, added, “Titania’s mission to enable organisations to protect their critical network infrastructure and remain operationally ready, resilient, and recoverable, is one we are advancing through partnerships. AmiViz’s strong presence and expertise in the Middle East and Africa will be instrumental in supporting organisations in the region to enhance network security.”

This agreement strengthens AmiViz’s portfolio of advanced cybersecurity offerings and reinforces Titania’s position as a trusted partner in network security innovation worldwide.

This Ramadan, Snap is allowing brands to Snap like a Snapchatter, by tapping into the platform’s most beloved features, from the camera and chat to the creativity of its community of creators. In the GCC, Ramadan is a celebration of community, and Snapchat is deeply embedded in the heart of Ramadan celebrations, with Snapchatters planning, shopping, and connecting with loved ones. 

Engagement on Snapchat is massive during Ramadan. In KSA, GCC audiences open the app over 45 times a day. This importance of personal connections is why Snapchat has become the go-to platform for communal shopping during Ramadan. The GCC audience is highly active, constantly searching for their next Ramadan must-have across all categories. Shopping becomes a social event during Ramadan and brands have the opportunity to raise awareness, gain consideration and drive conversion on a platform where during Ramadan in markets like KSA, an average of 10 billion stories are viewed each day, and Snapchatters play with AR lenses over 220 million times daily.

This Ramadan, Snapchat is giving brands the chance to Snap like a Snapchatter, with the launch of Sponsored Snaps, a game changing new ad placement tool which has been designed to empower businesses to connect with the Snapchat community in more innovative ways. Strategically being scaled first globally in KSA and the UAE during Ramadan—a season defined by reflection, togetherness, and meaningful connections—the initiative reinforces Snapchat’s role as a digital extension of these cherished moments. Sponsored Snaps offer an opportunity to engage audiences in ways that are both authentic and impactful, by seamlessly integrating brands into the cultural and social fabric of Ramadan.

In a natural extension of the way Snapchatters already engage with businesses on the platform, Sponsored Snaps will allow brands to deliver full-screen vertical video messages directly into Snapchatters’ Chat inboxes, enabling deeper engagement with audiences. Maintaining the user-first design philosophy for which Snapchat has long been known, Sponsored Snaps are visually distinct messages from brands, ensuring a clear separation from personal messages. They are also opt-in, so Snapchatters can choose to view the Snap, respond directly to the advertiser, or use the embedded call-to-action to visit a predetermined link.

The holy month will also see the return of the Snap AR Ramadan Mall, following an impressive 16M shoppers visiting in 2024. The new edition has been reimagined to embody the essence of GCC old towns and modern day shopping districts making for the ultimate retail experience. 

Further empowering brands to connect authentically with audiences this Ramadan, a third experience will also be introduced onto the platform that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation – HAZAR FAZAR, an AR experience that spotlights stories deeply rooted into GCC culture, brought to life through a series of branded lenses that are opened by riddles and showcase unique characters.

Snapchatters in the GCC have a very strong and personal relationship with the Creators they follow and during moments like Ramadan audiences are tuned in to the Creators they follow. Brands will have the opportunity to leverage Creators’ credibility on Snapchat to reach new audiences by collaborating with their favorite Snap Stars and utilizing programs such as Creator Midrolls, the Creator Collab Studio or through sponsoring or promoting Creator content. 

Hala Zgeib, Head of Luxury MENA at Snap Inc. said; “Innovation, while staying true to the essence of the platform, has always been at the heart of Snapchat. We empower businesses to connect with our community’s inner circle, both online and offline, fostering authentic relationships and driving success across the region. This Ramadan marks an exciting chapter for Snap, as we enable brands to engage more meaningfully with their audience through Snaps, deepen resonance, and celebrate culture with initiatives like the Snap AR Ramadan Mall and HAZAR FAZAR, while also making it easier to collaborate with our creators.”

Snapchat is empowering brands to create authentic connections with audiences, driving deeper engagement and accelerating ROI across the full funnel this Ramadan, making the platform more interactive and communal than ever before.