Saudi Arabia inquiry for 800G carrier-grade router

Saudi Arabia has operational 800G network trials, and multiple vendors offer carrier-grade 800G routers suitable for high-capacity deployments.Local Deployment Contextstc Group, the leading telecom operator in Saudi Arabia, successfully completed the MENA region's first long-haul 800G trial in its live optical network, connecting Riyadh to Makkah over 1,000 kilometers. This trial demonstrated that 800G solutions are ready for scale deployment, enabling higher data throughput per wavelength, longer reach without regeneration, and reduced power consumption compared to 100G channels . The trial used advanced 800G optical modules with high baud bandwidth modulators and 16QAM modulation, proving the feasibility of ultra-high-speed networks in Saudi Arabia.Vendor Options for 800G RoutersNokia 800GE RoutingPlatforms: 7750 SR-s series (SR-7s, SR-14s)Capacity: Up to 216 Tb/s full duplex in a 12-slot chassisPorts: Supports 36 QSFP-DD ports per line card for 800GE, 400GE, or 100GE opticsEfficiency: 20–40% more energy-efficient than multiple 400GE/100GE linksFeatures: FP5 silicon for deterministic packet forwarding, backward compatibility with FP4, supports full SR OS feature set Juniper 800G SolutionsPlatforms: PTX10004, PTX10008, PTX10016 Packet Transport RoutersCapabilities: High-density 800G ports, ZR/ZR+ pluggable coherent optics, inline MACsec, advanced QoSUse Cases: WAN and data center networks, scale-up and scale-out deploymentsAdvantages: AI-native telemetry, flexible licensing, and modular design for future scalability UfiSpace S9620-32EType: 32 x 800G open aggregation routerPlatform: Qumran3D siliconFeatures: Segment routing, MPLS, advanced QoS, telemetry-ready architectureBenefits: Compact, power-optimized, supports flexible breakout options, ideal for AI-driven traffic growth and metro aggregation networks Considerations for Saudi ArabiaNetwork Readiness: stc's successful 800G trial indicates that the infrastructure can support high-capacity routers.Energy Efficiency: 800G routers reduce per-bit power consumption, aligning with sustainability goals.Scalability: Modular and high-density platforms allow operators to scale bandwidth as demand grows.Vendor Support: Nokia, Juniper, and UfiSpace provide global support and local deployment assistance, which is critical for carrier-grade networks.RecommendationOperators in Saudi Arabia looking to deploy 800G carrier-grade routers should consider:Nokia 7750 SR-s for high-capacity IP aggregation and edge connectivity.Juniper PTX series for WAN and data center scale-out deployments with AI-native telemetry.UfiSpace S9620-32E for open, disaggregated, and power-efficient metro aggregation networks. These solutions are compatible with existing 400G and 100G infrastructure, ensuring smooth migration to 800G while supporting long-haul and metro network requirements.