du integrates Cisco Viptela SD-WAN

UAE-based du has integrated the Cisco Viptela SD-WAN platform into its telco cloud and will now offer SD-WAN service.

du says that by structuring their network, applications, and cloud under a single management interface, clients can now experience an end-to-end unified cloud solution that provides complete application visibility and total control of their enterprise networks.

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du Tests Nokia's 40 Gbps TWDM PON

Nokia has supplied its Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (TWDM-PON) technology to UAE-based telecommunications service provider du for testing in its lab.  The PON solution is capable of aggregate speeds of 40 Gbps.

Nokia said its unique next-generation Passive Optical Network solution will enable du to upgrade its existing GPON network to XGS-PON or TWDM-PON on a single fiber.

Jasim AlAwadi, Vice President - Network Infrastructure & Services, at du, comments: "With the increased use of smart devices and bandwidth-hungry applications by our subscribers, the demand for an ultra-fast network also keeps increasing. Keeping our customers on the top of our mind, we pioneer by introducing market-leading technologies to them. Our successful test of Nokia's TWDM-PON is proof of this. We are confident that our cooperation will take the country's journey toward IoT and smart cities to the next level."

Rima Manna, head of the du customer team at Nokia, says: "With its current strategy, du is very well positioned to evolve its network now and in the long term, and meet the customer needs of one of the leading broadband countries in the world. With this latest successful test, we reiterate our commitment to du in its endeavor to launch truly innovative services for its subscribers across the country."

http://www.nokia.com/en_int/news/releases/2016/12/13/du-prepares-for-fastest-fiber-broadband-in-the-uae-with-successful-test-of-nokias-next-generation-40-gigabit-twdm-pon-technology

Alcatel-Lucent Intros 10G TWDM-PON

Thursday, February 12, 2015  Alcatel-Lucent, DWDM, Last Mile, PON, TWDM  No Comments

Alcatel-Lucent is looking to bring down the cost of TWDM-PON (Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Networks) by allowing different types of optics to be used.  Currently, TWDM-PON requires new optics capable of providing four tunable 10 Gbps wavelengths.

Alcatel-Lucent's new ‘Universal TWDM’ solution enables operators to initially deploy one non-tunable 10 Gbps wavelength and easily add more pluggable as demand grows, providing a smooth upgrade to full TWDM without the need to replace network components, evaluate new technology, or reconfigure operations and business support systems (OSS/BSS).

"The primary obstacle for deploying new ultra-broadband infrastructure and services is the business case. Universal TWDM is Alcatel-Lucent’s innovative solution to this challenge. We are enabling operators to build upon their existing fiber investments while bringing down the total cost of ownership of TWDM technology. This means they can immediately address new high-revenue opportunities for gigabit services while knowing that their investment is future-proof,” stated Federico Guillén, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s Fixed Access Business Line.

The company noted that Universal TWDM and full TWDM-PON can co-exist with current PON technology. Alcaltel-Lucent also estimates that Universal TWDM will have a similar cost as established 10 Gbps technologies, such as XG-PON.

http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/press/2015/alcatel-lucents-universal-twdm-technology-accelerate-deployment-superfast-gigabit-ultra-broadband

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Ericsson Lands IT Managed Services Contract with du

Ericsson announced a long-term deal to manage and operate du's IT infrastructure. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ericsson will deploy its global tools, processes and ways of working on an end-to-end basis to improve du's infrastructure performance and support high-quality customer experiences. Ericsson will manage du's IT service desk, data center operations, and user computing and enterprise system management processes. In addition, Ericsson will manage IT application operations for du's Enterprise Support Systems as well as Operational and Business Support Systems.

http://www.ericsson.com

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Nokia Demos 5G with du

Nokia Networks and du, a leading mobile operator in the Middle East, are demonstrating 5G at this week's GITEX event in Dubai.

The 5G system being demonstrated by du and Nokia Networks uses very high bandwidth, smart antennas, and next generation multi-carrier modulation to achieve ultra low latency and impressive peak data rates of 10 Gbps. This 5G radio proof-of-concept was developed in cooperation with National Instruments (NI).

http://networks.nokia.com/

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Nokia Networks Tests Drones for Network Inspections

Nokia Network is testing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) carrying smartphones with cameras and testing applications to inspect and survey mobile infrastructure.

Nokia recently conducted a test of these telco drones in partnership with Du at the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai Sports City, which has a seating capacity of 25,000 people. The Proof of Concept (PoC) gathered network data and provided Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a speedy performance test and efficient network optimization actions. Telco drones were also used for tower inspections, radio planning and Line of Sight (LoS) testing between radio towers.

Automated testing and analysis is more efficient than traditional manual walk tests, as drones can cover the desired area quicker. Additionally, the test data is collected automatically and sent to a server so that it can be instantly processed at Nokia Networks’ Global Delivery Center (GDC) for immediate reporting and any necessary actions to improve network performance.

Telco drones were also used for tower inspections to reduce the number of times technicians need to climb up and down a telecom tower, as well as for radio planning and Line of Sight (LoS) testing. The engineers knew if a frequency used was impacted by trees, if there was sufficient power to cover the distance, what the simulated latency would look like and what performance over such a connection could be expected. This helped achieve optimal site design, establish a clear LoS, as well as suitable antenna height and site location.

http://networks.nokia.com/news-events/press-room/press-releases/nokia-networks-du-first-in-uae-to-use-telco-drones-for-better-network-planning-faster-opti

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Nokia Supplies VoLTE to du

Nokia Networks has supplied its VoLTE solution to du, the Middle East region’s fastest growing telecommunications service provider.

Nokia said its VoLTE solution successfully enabled VoLTE functionality in a most complex multi-vendor LTE network. The key to a successful voice service implementation in LTE network is the ability to execute a verified end-to-end VoLTE solution. Nokia’s VoLTE experts designed, tested and integrated VoLTE into du’s multi-vendor LTE network and achieved this Middle East-first VoLTE implementation in just 80 days, marking this as the world’s fastest implementation. VoLTE compatible handsets successfully connected high-definition (HD) voice calls with faster call setup time, in just 1-2 seconds, while simultaneously accessing 4G data services over the LTE network.

“With Nokia’s VoLTE solution, we will be able to use the full potential of LTE mobile broadband technology by ensuring seamless HD voice calls and video over our LTE network,” said Saleem Al Balooshi, Executive Vice President, Network Development and Operations, du. “We are committed to providing the best mobile broadband experience for our customers, and this has been reconfirmed with this fastest installation and testing of VoLTE services. With our longtime partner Nokia Networks, we will soon be able to provide HD multimedia services including browser-based apps for video conferencing, chat, file sharing and other services for our customers.”

http://nsn.com/

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