Nokia and Saudi Arabian telco STC say they have successfully trialed an optical long-haul terabit data transfer system that could be used to connect data centers.

The two companies say the completed pilot is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

It saw the latest generation of Nokia’s Photonic Service Engine (PSE-6s) technology used to send information across STC’s network between the company’s data centers.

The system successfully transported six 100GE (Gigabit Ethernet) services and one 400GE service over a single 1-Tbps wavelength at a distance of 850 km (528 miles).

Nokia said the trial demonstrated “the trusted performance and seamless integration” of its photonic data center interconnect (DCI) system into STC’s network.

Carlo Corti, head of optical networks for Middle East and Africa at Nokia, said: “By pushing the boundaries of optical technology, Nokia is committed to trusted performance and proud to partner with STC Group in achieving this record-breaking milestone.

“Our DCI solution provides scalable, energy-efficient, resilient, and secure infrastructure to support Saudi Arabia’s ambitious digital transformation journey.”

Data center operators and networks are increasingly investigating optical systems as an efficient way of transferring large amounts of information between different sites. Photonic DCI systems are being developed by several other vendors, as well as Nokia.

Abdullateef Alsenan, infrastructure design GM at STC Group, said: “STC Group’s partnership with Nokia demonstrates our advancements in building a future-ready network.

“This milestone reflects our ability to securely support massive traffic volumes, addressing the demands of cloud services and AI applications, ultimately supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives. These infrastructure advancements are positioning the kingdom as a global leader in digital innovation and sustainability.”