According to a number of recent reports, Saudi Arabia’s new Red Sea International Airport has become an early example in the region of the benefits of neutral host technology.
Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems (ACES), a neutral host digital infrastructure provider, and Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind two ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, have joined forces “to revolutionise the connectivity experience”, as they put it, at Red Sea International Airport (RSI).
Simply put, this is a deal that will provide indoor 5G coverage for all mobile network operators in Saudi Arabia, but without the clutter of individual rollouts.
That’s because, under the neutral host model, ultra-high-speed 5G coverage is delivered through a robust shared infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity for subscribers of all licensed service providers in the country. This means that the services of operators like STC, Mobily, Zain, Virgin Mobile, Lebara, Salam Mobile and Red Bull Mobile can all be received inside the airport via a shared system.
The project partners explain that the introduction of the new indoor 5G shareable solution at Red Sea International Airport enhances the overall 5G network performance. An estimated 80% of mobile data usage happens indoors, so it certainly helps that the ACES neutral host solution empowers mobile network operators to deploy indoor networks quicker, providing their subscribers with a superior indoor 5G experience characterised by ultra-high speeds.
The Red Sea International Airport is a very recent development but is now operational, receiving its first flights last month, and the first two hotels are taking bookings.
Upon full completion in 2030, the destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, food and beverages, and leisure pursuits.