Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March, 2024: In a groundbreaking development, stc Group, the leading operator in Saudi Arabia, has partnered with Huawei to complete the MENA region’s first-ever long-haul 800G/channel trial in its live optical network. This successful trial, spanning over 1,000 kilometers from Riyadh to Makkah, marks a significant advancement in optical network technology, demonstrating the readiness of the 800G solution for widespread deployment across Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.
The high-performance 800G/channel optical module utilized in the trial, featuring a built-in high baud bandwidth modulator and super 16QAM modulation with a Channel-Matched Shaping (CMS) 2.0 algorithm, showcased its capability to establish a reliable connection over long distances in a live Colorless-Directionless-Contentionless (CDC) network. This achievement underscores stc Group’s commitment to maximizing fiber capacity and optimizing optical network efficiency.
By enabling stc Group networks to transport more data throughput for every wavelength deployed and extend across longer distances without regeneration, the 800G solution has the potential to significantly reduce power and transport costs while enhancing efficiency standards across stc Group’s infrastructure. Additionally, the trial demonstrated stc systems’ ability to monitor and sustain complex link environments in real-time, further optimizing network transmission performance.
Commenting on this milestone, Huawei’s President of Optical Transmission Domain, Victor Zhou, emphasized the significance of the trial in the ultra-high-speed optical industry. He stated, “This long-haul 800G live trial in the stc network is a significant milestone in the ultra-high-speed optical industry. Huawei will continue to innovate and cooperate with stc in optical networks, providing leading and sustainable optical solutions for optimal user experiences.”
The successful completion of the 800G/channel trial highlights stc’s dedication to delivering exceptional experiences to all customers through state-of-the-art technologies and solutions. This achievement reinforces stc’s position as a key player in driving the Kingdom and the MENA region’s digital transformation, with a focus on meeting the ever-increasing bandwidth demand and enhancing network efficiency.
