Middle East: Ciena accelerates energy-efficient network expansions in line with UAE and Saudi Arabia’s green goals, deploying ultrafast WaveLogic 6 Extreme technology and circular economy initiatives to support AI demand while cutting carbon emissions by over half per bit transferred.
Ciena, a global leader in high-speed communications, is intensifying efforts to drive sustainable transformation in network development throughout the Middle East, aligning closely with the ambitious sustainability goals set by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. As businesses increasingly depend on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructures intensify their demand for high-capacity and low-carbon networks, Ciena is spearheading innovation that reduces energy consumption, minimises waste, and rationalises material use without compromising network performance.
The company’s latest sustainability report highlights its commitment to sustainable innovation, promoting circular economy practices and enhancing supply chain efficiency. These initiatives reflect broader regional efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, particularly in support of Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia and parallel goals in the UAE. Virginie Hollebecque, Vice Chair and Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Ciena, emphasised the company’s dedication to enabling network operators to maintain peak capacity while minimising environmental impact. She noted that Ciena is working in close collaboration with network providers to upgrade optical network infrastructure and support the rapid development of AI data centre hubs, ensuring that growth is sustainable and aligned with global environmental standards.
Significant developments in the region highlight the urgency and scale of this transformation. According to James Croshaw, Practice Team Leader at Omdia, substantial investments—exceeding $10 billion this year alone—have been channelled into building data centres within Saudi Arabia. These centres are essential for secure content storage, workload operation, and enhancing internet speeds for customers. The UAE too is seeing expansions, with data centres in Ajman and Abu Dhabi instrumental in supporting AI applications requiring advanced network capabilities.
In line with these trends, e& (formerly Etisalat) became the first operator in the Middle East and Africa to deploy Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme technology. This breakthrough optical solution enables ultra-high-speed 1.6 Terabit per second connectivity per wavelength, supporting a range of services from 10 Gbps home internet to 400 Gbps for corporate clients. This deployment not only boosts network speed and capacity but does so with a 54% reduction in energy consumption per bit, underscoring Ciena’s innovative approach to sustainability.
Beyond technological innovation, Ciena is advancing circular economy initiatives by incorporating recycled materials and halogen-free printed circuit boards in their product designs. Packaging materials now contain at least 70% recycled content, collectively reducing carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and logistics. The company also leverages intelligent automation and analytics, including its Blue Planet Intelligent Automation portfolio and Navigator Network Control Suite, to optimise network performance in real-time, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
The strategic importance of the region is reflected in Ciena’s organizational moves, such as the appointment of Chris Bayly as Managing Director for Saudi Arabia, a role focused on steering the company’s regional strategy amid the country’s digital transformation and sustainability ambitions. Additionally, Ciena has collaborated with regional telecom players, such as Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and Center3 (a subsidiary of stc Group), to expand next-generation network infrastructure and submarine cable connectivity, reinforcing the region’s position as a key digital hub linking Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Public sentiment in the UAE and Saudi Arabia further bolsters the drive toward energy-efficient networks. A Ciena study found that over half of adults in both countries believe the future of the internet hinges on energy efficiency, with a vast majority adopting virtual activities and remote work to reduce their carbon footprints. This societal demand supports and encourages continued investments in sustainable network technologies.
Ciena’s multifaceted approach—combining cutting-edge technology, circular economy principles, strategic leadership, and strong regional partnerships—positions the company as a pivotal player in the Middle East’s digital future. By addressing both performance and sustainability, Ciena aims to help the UAE and Saudi Arabia achieve their vision of technologically advanced, environmentally responsible digital ecosystems.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://25h.app/2025/07/24/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%91%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%B9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B7/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/e-and-uae-first-in-middle-east-and-africa-to-deploy-cienas-wavelogic-6 – e& UAE has become the first in the Middle East and Africa to deploy Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme technology, enhancing its optical network with ultra-high-speed 1.6 Tb/s per wavelength connectivity. This advancement supports 400G client infrastructure, 10 Gb home services, and 100G and 400G requirements for business customers, while optimising the network for AI data centre hubs. ([ciena.com](https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/e-and-uae-first-in-middle-east-and-africa-to-deploy-cienas-wavelogic-6?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/ciena-accelerates-sustainable-network-transformation-in-line-with-uae-and-saudi-arabias-green-ambitions-flewct0u – Ciena is driving sustainable innovation and circular practices in the Middle East, supporting the demand for high-performing, low-carbon networks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Their latest sustainability report highlights innovations that enable network operators to reduce energy consumption, waste, and material use while meeting increasing network capacity and performance needs. ([zawya.com](https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/ciena-accelerates-sustainable-network-transformation-in-line-with-uae-and-saudi-arabias-green-ambitions-flewct0u?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/ciena-appoints-chris-bayly-as-managing-director-of-saudi-arabia – Ciena has appointed Chris Bayly as Managing Director of Saudi Arabia, responsible for leading the company’s regional strategy and business operations. This appointment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to support the country’s digital transformation and growth plans. ([ciena.com](https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/ciena-appoints-chris-bayly-as-managing-director-of-saudi-arabia?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/center3-rolls-out-800g-submarine-network-with-ciena – Center3, a subsidiary of stc Group, has selected Ciena’s solutions for its fiber pairs on the 2Africa submarine cable system. This 45,000 km cable connects 33 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, providing high-bandwidth connectivity and accelerating digital transformation in the MENA region. ([ciena.com](https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/center3-rolls-out-800g-submarine-network-with-ciena?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/over-half-of-all-adults-in-ksa-uae-want-a-more-energy-efficient-futuristic-internet.html – A Ciena study found that over half of adults in the UAE (54%) and Saudi Arabia (57%) believe the future of the internet will be driven by the desire for energy efficiency. Additionally, 94% in each country are considering more virtual activities to reduce their carbon footprint, with remote working being the most popular initiative. ([ciena.com](https://www.ciena.com/about/newsroom/press-releases/over-half-of-all-adults-in-ksa-uae-want-a-more-energy-efficient-futuristic-internet.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151021005154/en/Saudi-Telecom-Company-Deploys-High-Capacity-International-Mesh-Network-Powered-by-Ciena – Saudi Telecom Company (STC) is deploying a next-generation network based on Ciena’s converged packet-optical platforms and GeoMesh networking technology. This network maximises STC’s existing global submarine and terrestrial investments, enabling flexible, high-capacity wholesale and enterprise services for internet connectivity, data centre interconnect, and high-bandwidth cloud services. ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151021005154/en/Saudi-Telecom-Company-Deploys-High-Capacity-International-Mesh-Network-Powered-by-Ciena?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date of similar content is July 24, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Virginie Hollebecque and James Crawshaw are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Ciena’s official press release, a reputable organisation. The individuals mentioned, Virginie Hollebecque and James Crawshaw, are verifiable online and hold positions within Ciena and Omdia, respectively.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding Ciena’s initiatives in the Middle East align with known industry trends and are supported by other reputable outlets. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with corporate communications. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were noted.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is original, with no evidence of prior publication. The quotes are unique, and the source is reputable. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details. No significant credibility risks were identified.
