Aramco Digital, the digital and technology subsidiary of energy and chemicals company Aramco, and computing innovation giant Intel have announced plans for Saudi Arabia's first development centre aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of open RAN (radio access network) technologies.
This collaborative effort, called the Open RAN Development Centre, also aims to enable Saudi Arabia to build robust and agile telecommunication infrastructure focused on accelerating digitisation across industries.
The proposed development centre is intended to serve as an innovation hub, fostering collaboration between Aramco Digital and Intel engineers, researchers and industry experts. It will also contribute to the development of local talent by providing training and hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving field of open RAN and edge computing technology.
In addition, the collaboration aims to contribute to the local economy through technology-driven initiatives, aligning with the broader objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme, which focuses on technological advancements and economic diversification.
But the collaboration is also expected to extend beyond borders, connecting Saudi Arabia to the global landscape of open RAN and edge development and deployment.
Aramco Digital's CEO Tareq Amin says: "The Open RAN Development Centre is expected to be a catalyst for digital evolution, providing a platform for collaboration, skill development and the creation of a vibrant technology ecosystem. At the heart of this collaboration is the creation of a vibrant pool of local capabilities for advanced 5G and future 6G technologies.”
The partners say that Aramco Digital brings a deep understanding of the development needs and ambitions of Saudi Arabia and the opportunities for open RAN technology deployment, along with a unique perspective of the Kingdom's economic landscape. Intel, a pioneer in computing and communication technologies, brings its expertise in open RAN technologies to the collaboration.
The Open RAN Development Centre is expected to commence operations this year, though what form it will take and the location – or locations – of this new initiative do not yet seem to have been announced.
