More Saudi Arabia IP Communications Stories

Saudi Arabia-based mobile operator Etihad Etisalat (News - Alert) (Mobily) and Huawei, a global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, have announced the implementation of the Middle East’s first commercial next generation Service Delivery Platform (SDP).

This deployment includes landmark advances to nearly every segment of the operator’s nationwide mobile network, according to the companies.

“The Middle East’s first commercial next generation SDP is part of Mobily’s initiative to enrich the telecom sector and customers’ experience,” said Khalid Al Kaf, CEO at Mobily.

Facing stiff competition from its competitors in the Saudi telecom sector, Mobily announced last year that it would undergo a strategic business transformation that would provide more innovative services to its customers as well as streamline overall operations and management processes.

Huawei (News - Alert) has engineered the technology behind the resulting SDP platform, specifically for the operator. The ICT solutions provider has successfully deployed SDP solutions across the globe and ranks first in overall market share for SDP delivery.

The next generation SDP will enable Mobily to more rapidly implement new multimedia services collaborating with content publishers, service providers and all other players on the value chain.

In addition, the platform also allows Mobily to set up its own app store and integrate with OTT content providers. Plus, the company can also develop cloud-oriented services.

“This project was a fantastic opportunity to work with Mobily to build a strong operation, assurance, and optimization system that could be integrated into the pre-existing network,” said Yi Xiang, president of Middle East at Huawei. 

Xiang said that as legacy services, operations and networks are replaced with these software-driven frameworks, the traditionally separate IT and telecom worlds are now converging.

“This particular Huawei SDP solution will enable Mobily to tap into new revenue streams across the telecom, media, and Internet industries by extracting value from mobile broadband and cross-industries business,” Xiang said.

In November 2011, Huawei launched its MiFi (My Wi-Fi) device in India. The device is a wireless router that can be connected to a mobile phone and provide internet access for up to five devices.