Page 21 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

stc Group Continues Expansion in Data Centers and Submarine Cables,
Strengthening Its Position as a Digital Hub

investments through its subsidiary, center3
- the leading provider of international data
centers and communications services via
submarine cables. center3 now operates
25 data centers and has expanded its
submarine cables network to include 16
cables connecting three continents. The
network includes the “Saudi Vision Cable”
wholly owned by the Group via center3
and equipped with three landing stations
that ensure continuous and reliable
data transfer services. This represents a
fundamental pillar in the Group’s long-
term strategy. The “Africa 2 Pearls” cable is
stc Group, a leading digital enabler, have built a state-of-the-art Data Center an important achievement in this context,
continues to implement its expansion Park in Bahrain, as part of one of the as it connects 33 countries in Asia, Africa
in the development of data centers and world’s largest submarine cable systems and Europe, which supports stc Group’s
submarine cables, strengthening the connecting Europe, the Middle East, and vision for global expansion, data flow
kingdom’s position as a digital hub in Africa. This project, known as “Africa 2 and communications, and enhances
the Middle East. Two strategic projects Pearls”, will extend over 45,000 kilometers, its position as a major driver of digital
have catapulted this effort: stc group’s totaling $300 million in investment. transformation across various sectors at
subsidiaries stc Bahrain and center3, These projects complement the Group’s the international level.

stc, Huawei to Enhance 5G Connectivity in Saudi Arabia

Saudi telco stc and Huawei have announced the commercial business monetization to build intelligent wireless networks and
rollout of SuperLink, a digital solution designed to enhance 5G integrate cross-domain data. To monetize 5.5G, stc and Huawei
connectivity across remote areas in Saudi Arabia. SuperLink is a will further explore and incubate new consumer and home appli-
multi-band wireless transmission solution developed by Huawei, cations, and launch new services based on network capabilities
which combines several frequency bands into a single high-ca- to drive 5G user growth. In terms of business applications, the
pacity and long-distance link, overcoming deployment challenges two companies will launch customized smart office solutions for
associated with traditional 5G E-band tower models. stc noted SMEs, and incubate vertical applications in the oil and gas indus-
that this solution boosts operational speed by 200% compared try. They will also conduct proof of concept testing and iteratively
to earlier models and significantly extends 5G reach without re- translate the concept into commercial products to steer market
quiring extensive infrastructure, making it ideal for connecting re- development.
mote regions efficiently. The solution also improves deployment
efficiency by reducing antenna requirements by 67% compared
to traditional single-band parallel link methods, lowering tower
rental costs. Abdullateef Alsenan, infrastructure design general
manager at stc Group, said: “SuperLink addresses challenges in
long-haul and large-capacity microwave hardware stacking. It
simplifies deployments, expands bandwidth, and delivers reliable
5G connectivity to remote areas. This innovation allows stc Group
to bring advanced broadband services to underserved regions
of the kingdom in a more cost-effective and efficient manner.”
During MWC Barcelona 2024, stc Kuwait and Huawei had signed
an MoU on deepening 5.5G strategic cooperation and business
monetization. Based on 5.5G joint innovation, the two companies
will work together to build 5.5G-based intelligent wireless net-
works, and incubate 5.5G-related new services for consumers,
homes and businesses, growing the maturity of the 5.5G indus-
try and ecosystem. According to the MoU, stc and Huawei will
deepen strategic cooperation on 5.5G technology innovation and

21 OCT-DEC 2024