Zong has won four awards at the Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2026 in Singapore, receiving recognition for its use of artificial intelligence (AI), 5G technology, customer services and digital business systems. The awards ceremony took place on October 20, acknowledging the telecommunications operator’s initiatives across brand development, network management, consumer connectivity and financial operations. The recognition highlights how Zong is applying technology to different parts of its business, from promoting next-generation connectivity to automating network optimisation and improving processes for distribution partners. The company’s achievements also bring attention to the role of locally developed technical solutions in Pakistan’s telecommunications industry, where operators are increasingly exploring AI-driven systems to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
Zong received the Pakistan Brand Innovation of the Year award for its AI-powered 5G launch campaign, “AIsa Hai Future”. The campaign combined artificial intelligence, augmented intelligence and Pakistani creative elements to present the possibilities of emerging technologies through a consumer-focused narrative. Rather than relying solely on technical explanations of 5G, the campaign sought to connect next-generation connectivity with everyday experiences and the country’s digital ambitions. The company said the initiative improved brand differentiation and consumer association with 5G. The recognition reflects the growing use of technology in telecom marketing, where operators must communicate new services in ways that are accessible to customers while building awareness of their potential applications.
The Pakistan Technology Innovation of the Year award went to Zong’s AI-driven Self-Intelligent Radio Access Network (RAN) Optimisation platform. Developed by the company’s in-house engineering team, the system is designed to detect network congestion, identify potential issues, implement corrective actions and verify the results. By automating parts of network management, the platform can help technical teams respond more quickly to changing network conditions and maintain service performance during periods of high demand. AI-assisted optimisation is particularly relevant to telecommunications operators managing complex networks, where traffic patterns and service requirements can change rapidly. The award recognises Zong’s approach to using artificial intelligence for network operations rather than limiting its application to customer-facing services or marketing activities.
The company also received the Pakistan Consumer Service Innovation of the Year award for its My5 Family Sharing Package, which combines shared connectivity with additional benefits, including insurance coverage, lifestyle perks and digital streaming access. The offering is designed to address household connectivity needs through a single package. Zong’s fourth award, Pakistan Financial Innovation of the Year, recognised DI-CAPE, its digital commission governance platform. The system uses automation to support commission-related processes across the company’s distribution network, with the aim of improving transparency, operational efficiency and coordination with business partners. Commenting on the achievement, Zong Head of Strategy and Company Spokesperson Nabila Yazdani said the awards recognised the company’s focus on applying AI, 5G and locally developed digital solutions to customer and business needs. Zong has identified customer experience, product and service diversification, and AI adoption as priorities for its technology strategy. The four awards place these initiatives in an international industry context, although their longer-term value will depend on how effectively the technologies improve network performance, customer experiences and business operations.
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