Mobily deploys 400G IP core network with Huawei

Huawei and Saudi mobile broadband service provider Mobily say they have switched on a new IP core network using core routers that support 400-Gbps line cards. Mobily will use the newly enhanced fiber-optic network to support UMTS, LTE, and fiber to the home (FTTH) services throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The network upgrade comes in response to rapid increases in bandwidth demand. Data traffic from wireless broadband services has grown from 163 to 750 terabytes per day in the region, the two companies say. The network expansion will cover 500,000 residential units by the end of the year, the companies add.

Mobily has based the upgrade on Huawei’s NE5000E core router, which supports a variety of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), 40GbE, and 10GbE ports overall and 400 Gbps per line card. The system is designed to support terabit-level capacity as well. Power consumption of the 400G line card is within 1 W/gigabit, Huawei says.

"We aim to bring leading-edge technology and infrastructure offerings to our customers," said Nasser AL Nasser, COO of Mobily. "The new 400G IP core provides excellent performance and scalability, and will allow Mobily to continue to develop its services over the coming years."

"We are pleased to join Mobily in deploying the world’s first 400G IP core network," said Zha Jun, president of Huawei Fixed Network Business Unit. "Rapid development of mobile broadband and video services will generate tremendous traffic growth for backbone networks. Now is the time to apply 400G technology."

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