Zong & ZTE Launch World’s First High-Power 8T8R Ultra-Broadband Radio in Pakistan
Islamabad, August 2025 – Zong 4G, Pakistan’s No.1 data network, in partnership with ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), has announced the world’s first commercial deployment of the High-Power 8T8R Ultra-Broadband Radio (HP 8T8R UBR) and Digital Intelligent Antenna (DIA) solution.
This next-generation mobile technology delivers the industry’s highest power output (8×120W) for FDD dual bands (1800MHz and 2100MHz) — the core spectrum used in Zong’s network.
A Game-Changer in Network Deployment
The breakthrough RRU integration design allows one unit to replace multiple legacy RRUs, cutting the number of RRUs on towers by up to 67%. This reduces deployment complexity, frees up antenna space, and lowers operational costs.
When paired with ZTE’s DIA antenna solution, the system can support two 4T4R cells for current networks or one 8T8R cell for future upgrades, all through software-defined beamforming.
Efficiency for New Sites
For newly rolled-out sites, the companies are using a “422” setup — one 4T4R cell and two 2T2R cells per site — ideal for locations with limited space or power capacity.
Massive Performance Boost
Zong’s commercial results show:
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34% increase in daily network capacity
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83% increase during peak hours
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173% improvement in daily user experience
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115% improvement in busy-hour user experience
Looking Ahead
Zong plans to scale the HP 8T8R UBR and DIA solution across its network, citing improved performance, lower costs, and simplified deployments as key advantages.
This milestone reflects Zong and ZTE’s shared commitment to advancing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and setting new benchmarks for high-performance mobile networks in emerging markets.