Nokia and stc Pioneer Saudi Arabia's First GPON Network Slicing

Nokia has announced the successful completion of Saudi Arabia’s first proof-of-concept (PoC) for network slicing over a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON), conducted in partnership with stc group, the country’s leading digital services provider. The trial was carried out at stc group’s test facility in Riyadh using Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller — a software solution designed to automate and manage broadband access networks.

Virtual Network Slices Built on Existing GPON Infrastructure

Using Nokia’s platform, stc group was able to build and control multiple virtual network slices within its current GPON setup. Each slice was tailored to meet specific service demands, such as enhanced bandwidth, low latency, or high reliability, enabling the network to support diverse use cases like cloud gaming, enterprise-grade connectivity, mobile backhaul, smart city applications, and secure communication for government operations.

Dynamic Resource Allocation and Expanded Revenue Potential

The implementation of Nokia’s Altiplano controller enables stc group to dynamically allocate resources across its network. This flexibility leads to faster service rollouts, improved end-user experiences, and more efficient use of infrastructure. Additionally, network slicing opens up new monetization avenues in areas such as wholesale services, business-to-business (B2B) offerings, and digital infrastructure projects.

Future-Ready Platform Supporting Multi-Vendor and Multi-Technology Environments

Nokia’s Altiplano platform also supports seamless integration of multi-vendor hardware and various PON technologies through a single management interface. This ensures high-speed gigabit performance while simplifying operations. Once fully deployed, the solution will empower stc group to deliver advanced digital services more rapidly and at a larger scale, strengthening its position as a leader in digital transformation.

"This GPON slicing trial marks a significant step in transforming our network capabilities. Nokia’s solution allows us to deliver tailored services with speed, precision, and scalability, advancing our vision of a smarter digital infrastructure for the kingdom,” said Bader Allhieb, VP of Network Infrastructure at stc.