In a significant step towards realising NEOM’s cognitive city vision, Tonomus, the technology enterprise behind the mega city’s cutting-edge ecosystem, has launched the highly anticipated TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre.
This brand new facility marks NEOM’s first-ever fully operational digital communications centre and represents a pivotal advancement in the region’s journey towards technological innovation and development.
According to Tonomus, the new centre stands as a testament to NEOM’s unwavering commitment to technological advancement and innovation, propelling the region to the forefront of cutting-edge digital communications and solidifying its position as an unparalleled hub for cognitive excellence.
The inauguration of the TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre marks a turning point in NEOM’s journey, unleashing a new era of transformative possibilities and heralding a future where connectivity and cognitive technologies merge seamlessly to reshape the way we live, work, and thrive.
“The TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre will solidify NEOM’s position as the world’s leading hub for cognitive technologies,” Peter Watson, Head of Connect at Tonomus told edge.
“The centre also underscores the our commitment to the NEOM Connect strategy, which aims to provide seamless connectivity to businesses and residents while linking NEOM to the world via space and subsea connectivity to Asia, Europe, and Africa.”
At the core of the NEOM Connect strategy is the creation of an open-access, high-bandwidth network capable of supporting fiber backbone infrastructure, ubiquitous 5G coverage throughout NEOM, and future-proofing the network for the advent of 6G technology. This connectivity will be made possible through data centres and cellular towers strategically positioned at THE LINE and Oxagon, ensuring a sustainable, accessible, and secure network with lower operational costs.
Watson noted that the TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre has been designed to offer unparalleled benefits to individuals and businesses across NEOM.
He explained, “The facility’s integrated network promises a seamless and immersive cognitive experience for users, catering to the needs of approximately 60 locations, around 1,800 structures, and an estimated 300,000 construction staff employed at NEOM by 2025. Moreover, the centre has the capacity to support a staggering 200 million Internet of Things (IoT) devices by 2030, further contributing to the advancement of NEOM’s smart city aspirations.”
Covering an expansive area of 18,000m2, the facility comprises a two-floor office building accommodating 150 personnel. Beyond its primary role as a telecommunications centre, it will also serve as a central hub for collaboration with telecommunications solution providers and technology partners, fostering a culture of innovation to continually enhance and improve NEOM’s digital network capabilities.
Strategically located in Oxagon, the centre will enjoy seamless integration with the broader innovative ecosystem of the reimagined industrial city. This advantageous position will enable the centre to offer secure, resilient, and highly capable networks, pivotal in facilitating the deployment of autonomous technologies and infrastructure. Moreover, these advanced and robust networks will support the growth of cutting-edge and environmentally friendly industries, granting future tenants a significant competitive advantage.
The NEOM Vision represents a groundbreaking and ambitious blueprint for the development of a cutting-edge smart city, exemplifying Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative. Envisioned as the world’s first cognitive community, NEOM aims to integrate advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and immersive experiences, revolutionising the way people live and interact.
The successful development of the TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre owes much to the collaborative efforts with leading regional and international service providers.
“Collaborating with industry giants like stc, Huawei, NESMA, Fortinet, among others, has set a new precedent for the regional ICT industry,” Watson explained to edge.
He emphasised that this collaborative approach opens up new opportunities for the growth and development of NEOM, attracting sought-after businesses to the region.
A beacon for sustainable and secure connectivity
With an emphasis on sustainability and economic growth, NEOM aims to become a thriving economic hub, a sustainable environmental marvel, and a centre for social and cultural enrichment, demonstrating the boundless potential of human collaboration and ingenuity.
NEOM’s sustainability objectives are another crucial aspect addressed by the facility. The centre’s network infrastructure was designed with sustainability in mind, reducing operational costs and embracing green power generation methods.
“With a smaller carbon footprint, powered by hydrogen cell, solar, wind technologies, and other green power methods, the centre aims to be a paragon of energy conservation,” said Watson.
Security and availability are paramount in TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre’s design. Its federated mesh structure, consisting of interconnected networks, ensures flexibility and redundancy in case of network disruptions. Triple-layered telecommunications frameworks composed of fibre, cellular, and satellite technologies add an extra layer of security, with the infrastructure being software-defined for ease of provisioning and updates.
Looking towards the future, Tonomus envisions the TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre as the conduit that will connect NEOM to the world. “This facility will serve as a gateway to cutting-edge telecommunications space and subsea connectivity with Asia, Europe, and Africa,” Watson said.
He added, “The centre signifies the expansion of Tonomus’ service portfolio, solidifying NEOM’s role as an economic engine for the region and beyond.”
As NEOM continues to evolve, Watson believes that the TONOMUS.NEOM Telecommunications Centre will stand tall as a symbol of progress and transformation in the digital era.
