STC starts MEA’s first field trial of 200G long-haul and 300G/400G regional metro network with Nokia

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has used Nokia’s PSE-3 chipset with Probabilistic Constellation Shaping (PCS) technology to conduct the Middle East and Africa’s first 200G long-haul transmission and 300G regional reach field trial. Once deployed, end users will experience superior network performance, and STC will be able to better address the surge in video, cloud and 5G traffic.

We are committed to providing a world-class end user experience that aligns with the Saudi administration’s Vision 2030. This successful field trial will help us optimize our network resources and reduce our operational expenses.

Khaled Ibrahim Aldharrab, Vice President of Infrastructure, STC

STC trialed Nokia’s PSE-3 towards enhancing the efficiency of its Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) long-haul network to reduce complexity and provide better services to its subscribers. The PSE-3 is capable of helping STC increase bandwidth efficiency on its long-haul network by exploiting 200G channels between Riyadh and Jeddah via diverse routes. Similarly, 300G channels were demonstrated on a regional network between Khobar and Riyadh. This approach allows operators to provide a superior network experience while raising the available bandwidth per user. Nokia services ensured the seamless and timely execution of the trial with STC.

Nokia’s PSE-3 is the first coherent digital signal processor to implement PCS, a technology pioneered by Nokia Bell Labs that helps extract the maximum capacity theoretically possible over an optical channel. Nokia’s PSE-3 helps provide unprecedented spectral efficiency, maximizes the performance and capacity of every link in the optical network, and enables 400G for metro distances. It leads to much improved network performance and significantly brings down operational complexity. 

This is a very significant trial and, once deployed, it will help STC maximize the performance of the optical network and simplify operations. Nokia’s PSE-3 helps service providers like STC handle the massive bandwidth demands of video, cloud and 5G, while at the same time enabling them to bring down the cost per transported bit.

Carlo Corti, Director of Optics Business Development, Middle East and Africa, Nokia