A Memorandum of Understanding was inked by Saudi Telecom Company (stc) and Huawei in preparation for the F5.5G era to create an all-optical strategic alliance.

A Memorandum of Understanding was inked by Saudi Telecom Company (stc) and Huawei in preparation for the F5.5G era to create an all-optical strategic alliance.

Saudi Telecom Company (stc) and Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding at MWC2023, paving the way for the F5.5G era and creating an all-optical strategic alliance that includes agreement and collaboration on products and solutions that adhere to the F5G and F5.5G industry standards. Through the construction of an all-optical network that satisfies the demands of ultra-large bandwidth, ultra-high speed, premium experience, and network autonomous driving, the MOU seeks to accelerate the execution of stc’s digital transformation strategy.

The Fixed 5th Generation Advanced and Beyond white paper, published by ETSI in September 2022, outlined the key features of F5.5G. The F5.5G period saw four significant changes.

In order to accomplish 10Gbps everywhere, F5.5G introduces next-generation technologies like FTTR, Wi-Fi 7, 50G PON, 800G, etc.;
Service boundaries go beyond connections: optical fibre sensing technology is used in situations like gas detection, water quality detection, early notice of fire and earthquake, etc.;
The industrial digital update is accelerated, and network assurance has been upgraded from telecom grade to industrial grade;
The network is more ecologically friendly because full-optical access technology and optical fibre transmission both use less energy than copper and EXC, respectively, by 90% and 80%.
In the future, stc and Huawei will intensify their collaboration in areas like technology testing, commercial deployment, and publicity. This will include 50G PON, FTTR, 400G/800G, and ultra-high-speed 1.2Tbps WDM, OXC, and Alps-WDM. They will also create a joint team to develop in the F5.5G space. It will completely support the development of STC’s fixed network.

In order to contribute use cases, technologies, and architectures for F5.5G standards and increase its industry impact, stc simultaneously expressed its willingness to join ETSI/WBBA and other standards or industry organisations.

With the signing of the F5.5 MOU, stc will better support end-to-end innovation and commercialization of fixed networks and retain a dominant position in the fixed network industry, according to Hisham A. Alabdaly, GM of stc Infrastructure Design.

“Huawei will work with stc to continuously make technological breakthroughs and product innovations on the road to F5.5G development, help stc network continuously improve user experience and network operation efficiency, create greater business value, and support Saudi vision 2030,” said Richard Jin, President of Huawei’s Optical Business Product Line.

GSN