The new O-RAN center is expected to be operational this year
Aramco Digital and Intel announced plans to establish what they claim to be Saudi Arabia’s first Open RAN (O-RAN) development center.
The partners explained that the collaboration will accelerate the development and implementation of O-RAN technologies, to underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to establishing robust communications infrastructure that helps to accelerate digital transformation across a number of vertical industries.
The move also seeks to keep pace with Vision 2030, which is a strategy of the Saudi government that focuses on technological progress and economic diversification.
Under the terms of the agreement, Aramco Digital will provide in-depth knowledge of the Kingdom’s development needs and ambitions, opportunities for the application of O-RAN technology as well as provide a perspective on the Kingdom’s economic landscape. Meanwhile, Intel will provide its expertise in O-RAN technologies.
The pair noted that the O-RAN facility aims to become an innovation hub and will seek to foster collaboration between Aramco Digital and Intel engineers, as well as researchers and industry experts.
The two companies are also looking forward to developing local competencies by providing training and practical experience in O-RAN technology, and rapidly developing terminal computing technology through which data is collected and processed.
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Tariq Amin, CEO of Aramco Digital, said that this collaboration with Intel will be a catalyst for digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, adding that the partnership will focus on preparing local talents at the highest levels in the field of advanced 5G technologies and future 6G technologies.
Meanwhile, Intel senior vice president and general manager of networks and edge group (NEX), Sachin Katti, said the two companies aim to accelerate the implementation of O-RAN solutions within and outside Saudi Arabia.
The new O-RAN development center is scheduled to start operations during this year.
Aramco Digital is a technology subsidiary of national oil company Saudi Aramco that aims to drive digital transformation and technological innovation across industries.
In November 2023, Nokia Bell Labs, the Finnish vendor’s research division, said it was working with energy company Aramaco to develop 5G-related Industry 4.0 cases and proofs for “priority industrial sectors” in Saudi Arabia – and the wider Middle East and Africa region. The two companies had signed a non-binding research and development collaboration agreement.
The agreement followed the launch of Aramco’s own digital services business, called Aramco Digital Company. The partners specified oil and gas, utilities, mining, manufacturing, and logistics as target sectors. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two firms to “collaborate on research and development efforts, develop joint proof-of-concept solutions and validate technologies in real-world deployments”.