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Nokia opens research and development center in Riyadh

Source Decision Insights Record Published September 1, 2026 Companies 1
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21st article in the last 90 days, one of 249 articles referencing Nokia. Previous coverage: Mplify names finalists for 2026 NaaS Excellence Awards (Aug 2026).

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Nokia opened a new research and development center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as its first such center in the country. The company said the effort would focus on AI-powered network automation and related software work.

The center’s work included development for network automation, service management and orchestration, and automation areas such as Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot, and rApps. Nokia said the center would create software intended to support communications networks operating with greater autonomy while addressing configuration, healing, and performance optimization.

Nokia described the center as specializing in Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Autopilot, and rApps for automation and energy efficiency. Nokia said its teams would develop AI-driven capabilities for communications service providers and enterprises in Saudi Arabia, and would explore AI-native 6G technologies.

Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), said, “The opening of Nokia’s new research and development center represents a strategic step toward strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for intelligent network technology innovation and reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge and innovation-driven digital economy. The center will contribute to localizing advanced research and development capabilities, developing national talent in AI and software, and creating technologies made in Saudi Arabia that can serve global markets,” said Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in Saudi Arabia. Mikko Lavanti, President of Nokia’s Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Nokia, said, “AI is reshaping every industry, and networks are the critical infrastructure that will make that transformation possible. Our new R&D center in Riyadh will bring Nokia’s global expertise together with Saudi talent to develop AI-powered automation that makes networks more autonomous, efficient and responsive. It also strengthens the Kingdom’s role in creating connectivity innovation for customers in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” commented Mikko Lavanti, President of Nokia’s Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Nokia.

Press release, provided by Globe Newswire on behalf of Nokia. Read the original.

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