Page 23 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

states, two of which are already members network operators will be maintained and growth strategy and the expansion of our
of the Eurozone), providing the full range expanded, enabling stc Group to drive international footprint. We are already
of passive infrastructure services ranging digital transformation through providing leading the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s
from ground-based towers, rooftops small world-class connectivity. Olayan Alwetaid, digital capabilities and this transaction
cells to in-building-solutions. As part of Chief Executive Officer, stc Group, said: “Our reinforces our commitment to investing in
the 20-year master services agreement agreement with United Group represents best-in-class technology and infrastructure
with United Group, TAWAL will deploy over an exciting new chapter for TAWAL and to lead the way in enabling the world to
2,000 additional sharable sites, while co- the wider stc Group. The agreement is connect.” Mohammed Alhakbani, Chief
location relationships with other mobile a significant milestone in our ambitious Executive Officer, TAWAL, said, “We are
delighted to partner with United Group in
our first investment in the European market.
The partnership supports our goal to
continue to provide innovative and efficient
ICT infrastructure solutions to our partners
and deliver the quality of services we are
renowned for.” The transaction is subject
to regulatory approval from the relevant
authorities in Bulgaria and Slovenia. Upon
completion, TAWAL’s operations in the
European market will be rebranded as
“TAWAL Europe” and will serve as TAWAL’s
platform for any future expansion in Europe.
TAWAL currently owns a portfolio of over
16,000 telecom towers. The company is
actively supporting digital transformation
plans in Saudi Arabia, expanding its
reach across new cities and rural areas
in the Kingdom and actively rolling out
smart-city-ready technologies such as
camouflage telecom towers, smart poles
capable of hosting 5G and IoT applications,
in-building solutions, and small cells.

stc Supports Smart Port Automation in the Kingdom

stc Group, the digital enabler in the region, in control room through video surveillance. monitoring to increase safety and security
partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority, This technology will help to improve crane at the ports through facial recognition,
has launched the Smart Ports Initiative operation and improve time efficiency. The license plate recognition, fraud detection
to automate the Saudi ports’ operations, three-dimensional visualization technology and real-time alerts that are transferred to
which will advance ports performance, of cranes will support tracking cranes’ the security team about vehicles exceeding
economic competitiveness, reduce costs, conditions and the number of containers speed limits, in addition to providing direct
and increase safety. The collaboration will transported, reducing downtime in port control of the transport of goods that
also support the automation of operational operations and increasing their productivity. contribute to reducing the cost of damage
processes across ports and apply modern It also includes using smart cameras and in some cases. These digital solutions
technologies in logistics services, in line with artificial intelligence to link the containers strengthen the Kingdom's position as a
the Kingdom's vision to become the global to the trucks since it was lifted from the global logistics center, making Saudi ports
logistics hub. The digital solutions provided ship. Moreover, it identifies the trucks’ proactive in applying modern technologies,
by stc include an enhanced 5G network to card numbers to help in managing a huge enhancing regional and international
ensure a secure and reliable connection number of containers in less time and competitiveness in cargo handling, serving
in the ports of Dammam and Jeddah in precision, which will promote continuous importers and exporters, and providing
contribution to the digital infrastructure flow within the port area. In addition to the logistics services and maritime transport
development, cranes automation and a aforementioned digital solutions offered in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
remote operation for ports from the central by stc, the group will also enable smart

23 MARCH-APRIL 2023