• du reinforces technology leadership by conducting region's first trial of Software Defined Access Networks (SDAN) on a Next Generation PON network (NG-PON)
• Nokia's SDAN brings intelligence to network through open cloud-based platforms that help du automate the network, accelerate the rollout of new services and establish the foundation essential for 5G
• SDAN trial to facilitate the UAE's futuristic vision, which requires intelligent, programmable networks

16 October 2017

Dubai - UAE-based telecommunications service provider - du, announced that it is the first provider in the Middle East to trial SDAN technology on NG-PON and establish an intelligent network capable of supporting future needs. Using Nokia's SDAN solution, du can accelerate innovation through a more open, automated network environment that makes it easier and faster to create and deploy new intelligent services.

Helping to facilitate the UAE's future ambitions, the trial demonstrates how du can use SDAN to build intelligent networks that can adapt to the changing needs of the consumers. Using Nokia's software-defined networking (SDN) technology to flexibly program and automate its next-generation PON network, du will be able to increase network performance for highly demanding businesses and 5G use cases, accelerate time-to-revenue and enhance the network usage experience by its fixed and mobile customers.

The successful trial also demonstrates how du can effectively use Nokia's SDAN solution to:

• Showcase new capabilities such as transport network for future 5G mobile access networks, network slicing and wavelength mobility
• Automate network workflows with self-healing and optimizing capabilities that reduce the time and complexity needed to address network issues and meet the mission critical needs of a futuristic network
• Leverage open cloud-based platforms that accelerate the delivery of new capabilities and flexible service offerings to end users

Marwan BinShakar, Vice President Access & Transport Planning, du, said:

"We're excited to successfully trial Software Defined Access Network technology that marks a logical progression for us as we move to a deeper virtualized network environment - allowing for faster response to proliferation of connected devices and varying network usage patterns. SDAN provides the network intelligence, automation and control we need to support emerging new uses cases like 5G."

Federico Guillén, president of Nokia's Fixed Networks Business Group, said:

"Dubai has a long history of pioneering technology transformation. This will require having smart networks that can connect everyone to everything, accelerate innovation and instantly deliver new services that meet evolving needs. SDAN enables this and provides an open, automated and intelligent network environment that makes futuristic cities possible."

Nokia is actively partnering and contributing to specifications defined by organizations such as Broadband Forum and On.LAB to ensure that companies like du can benefit from open, multi-vendor SDN environments. Nokia is the industry leader in SDAN with more than 30 customer trials and demos around the world.