Nokia And stc Group Pioneer Saudi Arabia's First Network Slicing Over GPON For Enhanced Digital Services

In a pioneering move, stc group, the premier digital innovator in Saudi Arabia, collaborated with Nokia to execute the kingdom's inaugural proof of concept (PoC) for network slicing on a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) framework.

This breakthrough endeavour took place at stc group's testing facility in Riyadh, showcasing the capability to carve out multiple virtual network segments within an existing GPON setup, each fine-tuned for distinct service requirements like cloud gaming, enterprise solutions, mobile backhaul, and secure government communications.

Through this collaboration, stc group demonstrated how it could ingeniously manage network resources, ensuring faster service rollouts, enhanced customer satisfaction, and maximised infrastructure efficacy. The initiative is set to refine how digital services are delivered, leveraging network slicing to foster novel revenue streams in wholesale, B2B, and digital infrastructure ventures.

Bader Allhieb, the VP of Network Infrastructure at stc, highlighted the trial's impact, noting, "This GPON slicing trial marks a significant step in transforming our network capabilities. Nokia's solution allows us to deliver tailored services with speed, precision, and scalability, advancing our vision of a smarter digital infrastructure for the kingdom."

Furthermore, Nokia's Altiplano platform is celebrated for its ability to integrate equipment from various manufacturers and support multiple PON technologies through a unified interface. This ensures uniform gigabit performance and simplifies operations, paving the way for stc group to swiftly and efficiently deploy advanced digital services on a large scale.

Ibrahim Al-Abbas, Head of stc Group Sales Unit for Network Infrastructure at Nokia, remarked on the collaboration's significance, stating, "Altiplano empowers service providers to automate and optimize network management, resulting in faster service delivery, improved efficiency, and superior user experiences. By working with pioneers like stc group we're able to redefine what is possible in network automation."

The successful completion of this PoC with Nokia's Altiplano controller enables stc group to dynamically adjust network resources, a critical factor in expediting the deployment of services, enhancing the user experience, and optimizing the efficiency of infrastructure. This development not only signifies a leap forward in network management but also aligns with the broader objectives of digital transformation and infrastructure enhancement in Saudi Arabia.