ACES and Movandi partner on Saudi 5G and 6G infrastructure

The rapid expansion of next-generation digital infrastructure in the Middle East has taken a significant step forward as Saudi-licensed digital infrastructure company ACES and California-based wireless connectivity firm Movandi announced a strategic partnership at LEAP 2026. Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding in Riyadh, the collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of 5G and future 6G networks across Saudi Arabia and the broader region. The agreement merges ACES’ local research and development capabilities in 5G small cells and Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) architectures with Movandi’s specialized mmWave, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and beamforming technologies, as outlined in their joint announcement. By integrating these complementary strengths, the partnership seeks to localize technology development and scale commercialization, directly supporting the digital infrastructure goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. This ACES Movandi partnership represents a critical effort to build high-capacity, low-latency networks capable of supporting the Kingdom's ambitious technological and economic transformations. The strategic alliance, unveiled during one of the region's premier technology gatherings, underscores the growing momentum behind advanced telecommunications infrastructure in the Gulf. As data consumption surges and new enterprise applications demand large-scale network performance, the collaboration between a regional infrastructure leader and a specialized technology innovator highlights the multifaceted approach required to build the networks of the future. The initiative not only addresses immediate connectivity needs but also lays the groundwork for the next decade of digital innovation across various sectors, from logistics and supply chain management to smart city deployments. The focus on integrating advanced radio frequency capabilities with open network architectures demonstrates a forward-looking approach to overcoming the inherent challenges of deploying high-frequency spectrum in complex environments. The core of the collaboration focuses on the technical integration of advanced wireless technologies to overcome the challenges of deploying dense, high-performance networks. Movandi, headquartered in Irvine, California, brings its expertise in mmWave and RF technologies, which are essential for delivering the multi-gigabit speeds and ultra-low latency promised by advanced 5G and emerging 6G standards. These technologies are particularly crucial for urban environments and industrial applications where network capacity and reliability are paramount. The ability to effectively harness mmWave spectrum is often cited as a key differentiator in realizing the full potential of 5G, enabling use cases that require massive bandwidth and near-instantaneous response times. The integration of these advanced RF components is expected to significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of wireless deployments in the region, providing the foundation for next-generation digital services that rely on uninterrupted, high-speed data transmission. ACES contributes its established local presence and engineering capabilities to the joint effort. The company has already developed an O-RAN compliant shareable 5G small cell solution within Saudi Arabia, demonstrating its commitment to localized innovation. By combining this local innovation with Movandi's RFIC and beamforming advancements, the partnership aims to create robust, scalable infrastructure solutions tailored to the specific needs of the Middle Eastern market. The integration of Open RAN principles is significant, as it promotes interoperability and vendor diversity, potentially reducing deployment costs and accelerating innovation cycles. This open architecture approach is gaining traction globally as operators seek greater flexibility and efficiency in their network deployments. The synergy between ACES's localized small cell development and Movandi's specialized RF components creates a compelling proposition for operators looking to densify their networks in challenging environments, particularly in high-traffic urban centers and specialized industrial zones where traditional macro-cell deployments may be insufficient or impractical. A central pillar of the MoU is the commitment to localizing wireless infrastructure R&D in the Kingdom. This aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030's objective of building a knowledge-based economy and reducing reliance on imported technology. By conducting R&D locally, ACES and Movandi intend to foster domestic talent and create solutions optimized for regional deployment scenarios. This localized approach is expected to streamline the commercialization process, allowing for faster rollout of advanced network infrastructure. The emphasis on domestic capability building is a recurring theme in Saudi Arabia's digital strategy, ensuring that technological advancements translat