stc is building new data centres that incorporate a modular smart design, fully Hyper-scaler compliant and deliver highly resilient infrastructure availability
Saudi Arabia’s leading digital company stc is continuing its data centres project Phase 3 after the completion of Phases 1 & 2. The phase 3 will be the biggest project of data-centre construction across the region at one time. The new phase of constructing its next-generation cloud-enabled data centres, expanding presence and capacity, accelerating the implementation of the Kingdom’s digital transformation objectives, will be providing world-class seamless data distribution with energy optimisation solutions which align with the environmental sustainability Saudi Arabia goals.
The investment signifies stc’s leadership role in digital transformation across the MENA region designed and built to excel in capacity, functionality, operational integrity and efficiency. Next step of stc is improving the “time to value”, “customer experience and self-service capabilities”, “innovative partnership models”, “focusing on faster, smarter and better services” as well as all business ambitious requirements.
With Phase 1 completed in 2019 and Phase 2 already is in the final commissioning stage, stc is now implementing Phase 3 of its new ERA Data-Centre Construction Program. To provide best in class digital and telecommunication services across the Kingdom, the Tier III enhanced data centres is a planned IT computing power at maximum capacity of 125 MW, with allocated land scape area of more than 180,000sqm is part of stc’s broader ambition and its overall strategy.
Incorporating eight parallel projects distributed across multiple zones within six cities, stc data centres program constitutes of sixteen data centres that include 17,000 racks, which makes this the biggest program of data-centre construction at one time, across the region. Across key cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, the program will create critical digital availability zones that will provide a full range of services together with world-class security and service management as well as safety measures of assets.
stc is building new data centres that incorporate a modular smart design, fully Hyper-scaler compliant and deliver highly resilient infrastructure availability. To assure resilient and smooth traffic flow between different technical facilities and maintain business continuity, on top of the design & construction excellence, the latest connectivity technologies are used. For providing enhanced digital and telecommunication services across all major cities in the Kingdom, the world-class data centres are part of stc’s overall strategy. With a total IT compute power capacity of 125 MW and a broader ambition for future growth in only eight months, the construction program for six sites is now underway, with Phase 3 expected to be completed in 12 months.
Haithem Alfaraj, stc Chief Technology Officer, stated: “We have big plans for our Data Centres to become a gateway for the MENA infrastructure. stc is now established to be the leading data platform in the region and supporting the demand for international connectivity. We aim not only to build new Data Centres but also expand our existing ones to ensure stc is fully equipped to meet the future growing demands of our customers.’ He concluded, “stc is geared up to grow-on-demand with its unique Data-Centre solution, by easily replicating a standardised design, that could exceed 300 MW of our current computing power capacity by reacting quickly to the market”.
“Mohammed Alabbadi, stc Chief Wholesale Officer, stated: “These Data Centres are vital components of our premier digital hub offering that stc announced towards the end of 2020. Aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals, it enables Saudi as a centre of digitalisation, attracting local and foreign direct investments. Digital hub will be available, as a one-stop-shop experience, to all customer segments including local, regional and global, in a carrier-neutral environment. Enabling a locally hosted eco-system of hyper-scalers, cloud, content, and enterprises provides the best customer experience. We envision future growth driven by evolution to cloud 4.0 and subsequently to Industry 4.0”.
He continued, “These DCs will be enabled with the vast national, regional and global connectivity networks, offering high resilience and diversity, that stc owns and is investing on as a leading regional interconnection platform developed as an agile model to capitalise on the rapidly growing infrastructure and services market opportunities”.
“The first two phases of the program have enabled stc to lead edge digital products and services to the MENA region like never before and contribute to positioning the Kingdom as a major international technology hub”.
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