Nokia, Aramco Team to Develop IoT applications, via 5G

Published: November 28, 2023

The companies are looking to develop joint proof-of-concept solutions, and to validate technologies in real-world deployments.

The research and scientific development company Nokia Bell Labs is joining forces with energy company Aramco to develop 5G-related Industry 4.0 cases and proofs for “priority industrial sectors” in Aramco’s home base of Saudi Arabia as well as the wider Middle East and Africa.

The agreement comes after Aramco Digital Company began looking into oil and gas, utilities, mining, manufacturing, and logistics, as target sectors for Industry 4.0 solutions.

The two companies’ memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims at research and development collaborations to develop joint proof-of-concept solutions, and to validate technologies in real-world deployments.

Saudi Investment

As part of the development efforts, the two entities have signed a non-binding, research and development collaboration agreement.

This MoU signifies a major step towards digitalizing our industries and transforming the national talent capabilities in Saudi Arabia, according to Nabil Nuaim, Sr. VP of Aramco Digital & Information Technology.

We are thrilled to collaborate with Nokia’s award-winning research arm Nokia Bell Labs,” said Nuaim in a press statement announcing the agreement. “Together, we aim to foster a culture of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in our industrial sectors during this Industry 4.0 era.”

Combining Forces

Aramco’s objective is to combine its experience in oil and gas and mining, with Nokia’s private networks, edge computing, and Industry 4.0 knowledge.

The collaboration with Aramco reflects our commitment to driving innovation and jointly developing advanced industrial use cases with world-leading ecosystem partners, stated Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia.

“Together, we will accelerate the digital transformation of industries providing new technologies for a safer, more productive and more sustainable future,” said Klein. “We look forward to co-creating ground-breaking solutions that can unlock new business opportunities for industrial operations in Saudi Arabia and globally.”

Going forward, the two companies plan to build comprehensive ecosystems for 5G and emerging technologies to enable IoT and other solutions requiring wireless connectivity. The plans is accelerate the digital transformation of industries to create a safer, more productive, and more sustainable workplace.