Nokia, du enable Zero-Touch Access with SDAN

Nokia announced the deployment of Software Defined Access Networks (SDAN) from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC) for du to provide zero-touch network operations.

In a statement, Nokia said the three-year project is based on the long-standing partnership between Nokia and du, which provides cutting-edge technologies to the UAE.

Du is speeding innovation and the rollout of new and innovative services on du’s current fibre broadband network as one of the first operators in the Middle East to use zero-touch networking. With the help of Nokia’s Altiplano cloud platform, du now has the network intelligence, automation, and control it needs to support rapidly developing new use cases like 5G backhaul, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), cloud gaming, and network slicing for enterprises.

Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, said: “Adding SDANs to our infrastructure is an essential step in keeping up with the demands of our business as we move towards faster speeds and a more virtualized environment. A key component of du’s network strategy is the inclusion of SDAN in order to ensure that the company will be able to drive future value by integrating smart apps, artificial intelligence, and a higher level of automation. This will ensure that the user experience is as seamless as possible. As a result of these developments, we will be able to provide an enhanced customer experience which accelerates the company’s ability to meet the growing demand by utilizing fully automated operations and zero-touch services.”

“We’re excited to successfully extend our long-term partnership with du on SDAN technology. Nokia’s end-to-end SDAN solution is changing the game for how service providers operate their networks. Delivered from a single cloud-optimized platform, we provide du the tools to efficiently unlock new business opportunities and use cases,” Nokia MEA Vice President of Middle East Business Rima Manna stated.