Page 106 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia

In collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has highlighted
and Information Technology (MCIT), Huawei, a leading global the telecommunications and information technology records
provider of information and communications technology (ICT) achieved during Hajj this year, praising the Kingdom’s distinguished
infrastructure and smart devices, hosted a dedicated 5G onboard infrastructure which has served as many as 2.5 million, in a
training program at MCIT’s headquarter. This program is part specific geographic and situational range. This came in a report
of Huawei’s ongoing 5G Roadshow in Saudi Arabia, which is issued by ITU saying “this year, 2.5 million people made the
touring the Kingdom to raise awareness of the next generation journey to Makkah; a journey that required dedicated information
of 5G connectivity and seeking to develop ICT talent locally. The and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure planning
latest three-day training program was conducted by Huawei by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure that both locals and
experts in partnership with MCIT under the umbrella of the pilgrims could access data-heavy mobile applications to capture
Ministry’s ThinkTech initiative, with the attendance of Dr. Ahmed and share special moments with families and friends around the
Altheneyyan, Deputy Minister for Technology and Digital Capacities world.” ITU also said that the provision of telecommunications
Development. The training provided end-to-end 5G knowledge as and information technology services to these numbers represents
well as hands-on demos available within Huawei’s 5G Roadshow a major logistical challenge, which the Kingdom has been able
truck. The workshop covered topics such as 5G motivation and to overcome, thanks to its distinctive infrastructure in the field
industry trends, 5G network architecture and key technologies, as of communications and information technology. ITU added that
well as providing recent 5G use cases and global best practices. there were more than 32.5 thousand terabytes of data consumed
In addition, it touched on the key challenges facing the sector, by pilgrims – equivalent to watching over 13.3 Million hours of
including the procedures required to equip telecommunications HD 1080p video – an increase of 26 percent from last year. There
networks in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is poised on the brink was a 44.83 Mbps average download speed – an increase of 69
of the 5G era, as operators across the Kingdom prepare to roll percent from last year. The daily individual consumption of data
out the next generation of connectivity nationwide. According to was 352.5 megabytes, exceeding the global average of daily
MCIT, there are around 1,000 5G towers up and running across individual data consumption by 95 percent. More than 309 million
the country already, establishing the Kingdom as a forerunner calls, both national and international, were made by pilgrims with
in deploying 5G not only in the region, but on a global scale. Dr. a 99 percent success rate.
Ahmed Altheneyyan, Deputy Minister for Technology and Digital (August 17, 2019) citc.gov.sa
Capacities Development noted: “A deeper understanding of 5G’s
value will enable us to better explore the full potential of ultra- The use of Information and Communication Technology services
broadband networks and applications. As a superior connectivity (ICT), during this season of Hajj 1440-2019, witnessed a
solution, 5G will usher in new ways of working across our society, significant rise; the average number of subscribers reached nearly
empowering us to achieve the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s [4.6million] per day, the number of voice calls exceeded [364]
National Transformation Plan 2020 and Vision 2030. As a global million, and the total data consumption during the entire season
leader in the development of 5G networks and technology, Huawei exceeded [38.9 thousand] terabyte, with a rise of [% 27] compared
has been the ideal partner for us in this endeavor.” Dennis Zhang, to last year, according the statistics issued by CITC about the
CEO of Huawei Tech. Investment Saudi Arabia Co., Ltd., Huawei, ICT services consumed in Makkah Almukarramah, Al Madinah
said: “Our 5G Roadshow truck is the first of its kind in Saudi Almunawarah and Holy sites throughout Hajj season1440-2019.
Arabia, which not only allows people to learn about the value of Implementation of daily measurements showed that the Internet
5G connectivity, but to experience it with real applications—giving average download speed is [44] Mbps in Makkah Almukarramah
them a sense of the immense potential of this next generation with a rise of [67%] compared to last year. While in Madinah it
of connectivity. Working with partners such as MCIT enables us reached [48.14] Mbps with a rise of [54%] compared to last year,
to contribute to the development of a deeper understanding of due to availability of advanced infrastructure for communication
the technology as it rolls out in the Kingdom. The 5G On Board networks and massive increase of their capacity. It is noteworthy
training program and roadshow itself also offers an opportunity that ICT authorities have implemented several operational plans
for those within the community to get a first look at 5G and and procedures performed for this season of Hajj, providing
the exciting careers within Saudi Arabia’s thriving ICT sector.” guests of Allah with world –class telecommunication services,
Huawei has been a partner of choice for telecom carriers globally to let them connect with their families easily and comfortably.
in 5G network development, in part because of its broad range Furthermore, they had several specialized field teams equipped
of end-to-end 5G solutions covering network sites, architecture, with the technical capabilities, for supervision of all telecom
protocols, network operations and maintenance. To date, Huawei services in Makkah Almukaramah, Al Medina Almunawarah
has secured 50 commercial 5G contracts and has shipped more and their devoted air, sea and land ports, to be at the pilgrims’
than 150,000 base stations to markets around the world. service. Meanwhile, CITC Governor, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Salem
(August 27, 2019) samenacouncil.org Alruwais, congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

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