Press Release

  • Nokia's full 5G portfolio will position STC as a network leader in the region
  • The deal supports Saudi Arabia's National Transformation Program 2020 and Vision 2030 focused on advancing technologies for the digital transformation and growth of the country

25 February 2019

Barcelona, Spain, MWC - Nokia and Saudi Telecom Company (STC) have signed a deal to deploy a 5G network with Nokia's end-to-end 5G solutions. Nokia's equipment, software and services will be used to set up a 5G network first in the western and southern part of Saudi Arabia, including the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. The rollout phase is already ongoing and is expected to be completed by end of 2020.

Nokia's full 5G portfolio will provide STC subscribers with ultra-high bandwidth and low latency services, as well as new applications in areas such as virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence.

Enterprises will benefit from various IoT vertical use cases enabled by 5G, such as energy, healthcare, education, transport and entertainment; these will not only enhance operational efficiencies and user experiences but provide new revenue opportunities.

The deal involves multiple firsts in STC's network, including the introduction of cloud RAN and AirScale, as well as the deployment of the Wavence platform in the microwave and the AirScale indoor radio.

Nasser Al-Nasser, STC Group CEO, said: "We are excited to work with Nokia on the Aspiration project which will help us realize our dream to be the first one to launch 5G services in the region. Once completed our subscribers will be able to enjoy innovative high bandwidth consuming use cases. The project underscores our support and commitment to the National Transformation Plan 2020 and the Government's Vision 2030 to drive Saudi Arabia's digital transformation into a knowledge economy. The leadership of our longstanding partner, Nokia, in the development of 5G is crucial for our launch of 5G services."

Federico Guillén, President of Customer Operations, EMEA & APAC at Nokia, said:
 "We are honored to launch a pioneering 5G network in the MEA region and committed to supporting STC with Nokia's advanced products and services. Through the Aspiration project, STC has taken a decisive leap into 5G. By helping STC in preparing the network for the introduction of innovative 5G use cases, Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city services, we also continue to support Saudi Vision 2030."

Comprehensive Nokia solution for the 5G network:

  • Nokia AirScale base station enables service providers in delivering massive capacity and connectivity. The project involves adding new sites using AirScale base station
  • Nokia AirFrame data center solution will run any cloud-based application with ease
  • 5G Massive MIMO allows service providers to increase capacity, coverage and speed
  • Nokia Wavence platform prepares the microwave transport for telco cloud and 5G era
  • Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) uses licensed and unlicensed spectrum for higher capacity and enhanced speed
  • Nokia Cloud RAN enables operators to use the cloud to make the network more scalable and agile, which helps in maximizing performance
  • Nokia AirScae Indoor Small cells will be used to supplement the macro network to improve coverage capacity in both indoor and outdoor environment
  • Nokia Network Services Platform (NSP) provides a more efficient way to automate, optimize and assure network services across multiple network layers, physical and virtual infrastructure, as well as equipment from multiple vendors
  • Nokia NetAct gives the service provider a consolidated view of multi-domain, multi-technology networks, which ensures the best network experience in the 5G era
  • EdenNet allows operators to automate to realize the full potential of their network and drives transformation towards 5G
  • The Nokia CloudBand Application Manager (CBAM) is a VNF manager that automates VNF lifecycle management and cloud resource management
  • Digital Antenna System Radio Frequency Module enables service providers to scale and meet the continuously growing traffic
  • Nokia Cloudband tames virtual infrastructure management complexity and cost while managing the lifecycles of virtual network functions
  • Five component TDD-FDD LTE carrier aggregation approach will be used to enhance the capacity of the network
  • For the deployment, Nokia will leverage its services expertise including Managed Services and full turnkey services  including network design, planning and optimization, project management of site acquisition, civil work construction and network implementation

Resources:

About Nokia

We create the technology to connect the world. We develop and deliver the industry's only end-to-end portfolio of network equipment, software, services and licensing that is available globally. Our customers include communications service providers whose combined networks support 5.7 billion subscriptions, as well as enterprises in the private and public sector that use our network portfolio to increase productivity and enrich lives.

Through our research teams, including the world-renowned Nokia Bell Labs, we are leading the world to adopt end-to-end 5G networks that are faster, more secure and capable of revolutionizing lives, economies and societies. Nokia adheres to the highest ethical business standards as we create technology with social purpose, quality and integrity. 

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Source: NOKIA via Globenewswire

Source(s) : NOKIA