This project – that will increase international network capacity 10-fold – sees Infinera’s ICE6 800G-capable technology and GX Series Compact Modular Platform deployed on STC’s international network, enabling new regional and international connectivity services.
“With rapid increase in demand and the requirement to accelerate and strengthen connectivity between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Europe, Infinera’s 800G submarine network solution will enable us to meet the exponential growth of international connectivity while improving reliability,” said Mohammed A. Alabbadi, chief wholesale officer at STC.
“ICE6 will also enable the expansion and diversification of cloud services in the region and around the world, and this technology is ideal for our upcoming projects 2Africa and Saudi Vision Cable.”
As a telco and wholesale provider in the Middle East, STC offers national and international services over all major international cable systems that pass through the region. It said the new network capabilities would result in lower cost and power per bit, and higher spectral efficiency.
Based on advanced ICT, so called cognitive cities build on the smart city concept by linking smart devices to provide intelligent services to residents and share knowledge across the community in order to optimise services and processes.
“STC's selection of Infinera’s GX Series Compact Modular Platform featuring ICE6 technology sets them up for success to meet growing bandwidth demands in the Middle East," said Nick Walden, SVP of worldwide sales at Infinera.
"ICE6 provides stc with the greatest spectral efficiency and best overall economics, which will enable stc to deliver on critical projects in the region. This initiative will pave the way for new and exciting digital opportunities throughout the Middle East.”
Last month, STC's newly listed Solutions business confirmed it would be developing data centres at NEOM, the cross-border mega-city being developed in Saudi Arabia. In July 2020 STC was contracting to deliver an advanced 5G and IoT network for NEOM.
