In a significant development for the telecommunications sector in Saudi Arabia, solutions by stc, the forefront of digital transformation in the Kingdom and the wider region, has announced a landmark Open RAN agreement with Mavenir, a leader in cloud-native network infrastructure. This collaboration is set to launch the first commercial Open RAN network in Saudi Arabia, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s journey towards achieving the ambitious digital transformation goals outlined in Vision 2030.

This strategic partnership aims to enhance stc Group’s mission to deliver cutting-edge technology to mobile customers in Saudi Arabia, propelling the Kingdom into a new era of telecommunications innovation. With the commercial launch of the next-generation Open RAN network slated for 2024, this initiative follows a successful preliminary deployment. The deployment showcased multi-layer 4G and 5G NSA Access Network capabilities on the Open RAN platform, delivered through the collaborative efforts of solutions by stc and Mavenir.

The cutting-edge multi-layered 4G and 5G Radio network will leverage Mavenir’s state-of-the-art 4G Remote Radio Unit (RRU) and 5G Massive MIMO (mMIMO) Active Antenna Unit (AAU) technology. Additionally, it will utilize the cloud-native Mavenir Webscale Platform (MWP) with fully containerized Centralized Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) software, running on x86 commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. This represents a leap forward in open interface radio systems technology, offering a best-in-class solution for the telecommunications industry in Saudi Arabia.

Yousef Almarshad, Chief Commercial Officer of solutions by stc, highlighted the partnership’s significance, noting, “Mavenir’s Open RAN technology innovation, combined with our unmatched market experience in Saudi Arabia, lays a solid foundation for this pioneering Open RAN deployment. We are excited to bring next-generation performance and services to our customers, moving beyond traditional data speeds to a more sustainable, secure, and cost-effective network powered by Mavenir’s Open RAN.”

Echoing this enthusiasm, BG Kumar, President of Access Networks, Platforms, and Digital Enablement at Mavenir, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to catalyze digital transformation across the Middle East. “Mavenir is thrilled to lead the first commercial Open RAN deployment in Saudi Arabia with solutions by stc. This venture is expected to accelerate digital transformation efforts, bringing innovative, customer-focused solutions that leverage the benefits of open standards and architecture.”

This collaboration between solutions by stc and Mavenir is not just a technological advancement but a strategic move aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. It represents a commitment to driving the digital economy, fostering innovation, and enhancing the telecommunications infrastructure to meet the future needs of the Kingdom’s citizens and businesses.

The agreement between solutions by stc and Mavenir to establish the first commercial Open RAN network in Saudi Arabia is a testament to the Kingdom’s forward-thinking approach to digital transformation. This partnership is poised to offer significant advantages, including enhanced network flexibility, cost reductions, and the facilitation of innovative services that meet the evolving needs of customers. It underscores the potential of Open RAN technology to not only transform the telecommunications landscape in Saudi Arabia but also set a precedent for the region’s digital future.

  4G, 5G, cloud-native network infrastructure, commercial-off-the-shelf hardware, digital transformation, Mavenir, Mavenir Webscale Platform, network technology innovation, Open RAN network, Saudi Arabia, Solutions by stc, sustainable network solutions, Vision 2030