DUBAI - Chinese ICT giant Huawei and Dubai-based Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, known as Du, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Thursday to build the region's most advanced mobile broadband (MBB) network.

The MoU was signed between Marwan BinShakar, vice-president of mobile access networks at Du and Huawei's Ying Weimin, president of research and development of wireless networks.

The three-year wireless network insight project states that Huawei will assist Du in developing its next-generation mobile broadband network.

Du, whose shares are traded in the Dubai stock exchange DFM, is the second telecom provider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after Abu Dhabi-based Etisalat.

Both sides said in an e-mailed statement that the explosive growth of consumer data usage necessitated an expansion of telecom firms' MBB networks to accommodate LTE-Advanced, 4.5G and 5G capabilities.

"The next-generation of MBB are being defined and developed to serve huge data requirements as the Internet of Things continues to increase," said Huawei.

Du's BinShakar said the MoU with Huawei declares the firm's commitment to offer the fastest, most reliable and technologically innovative mobile broadband connectivity service for UAE consumers.

He added that "as our strategic partner, Huawei will collaborate with us in evolving the roadmap for our network, as well as implement multi-layer network solutions across the world."

As of January 2015, Du's subscriber base reached 7.54 million whereas the UAE has over 9 million. The Gulf Arab state has a mobile penetration of 192, one of the highest in the world, according to UAE telecom regulator TRA.

Ying from Huawei said Du has prioritized that for their customers and will leverage our expertise and develop an intuitive network equipped with the very latest Huawei innovations.

"Building upon our longstanding relationship with Du, Huawei is committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions to evolve towards a future of endless mobile possibilities," he pointed out.

As part of the three-year MoU, Huawei will take the lead in network insight to oversee the flow of Du's business operations and provide technical and service support.