Page 28 - SAMENA Trends - Oct-Nov 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

and information technology in the Kingdom is the beating heart of the Fourth Industrial experience, digitizing stc, and performing
and the region. The MENA region's Revolution, the Internet of Things, artificial faster than before. In 2022, the proportion
development standards differed from the intelligence, and machine education, and of mobile sites with 5G services surpassed
rest, making it the first commercial launch a significant driver of national digital 90% of locations in major cities, marking
of the 5G network. This event began a new transformation. So, how will this historic a significant milestone. Moreover, the
era, where physical and digital technology expansion strengthen the 5G market, second carrier in the 2300 MHz band was
boundaries are blurred at blazing speeds sustainability, and local content? More than introduced in Riyadh and Jeddah to provide
with near-zero response time. Currently, stc 35% of the population in 5 major cities in greater capacity and better coverage. This
group is working towards achieving digital Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, year, the group set a new goal by embarking
transformation at every level, being the Makkah, Madinah, and Dammam, were on its largest expansion. It invested heavily
most prominent leader of the ICT sector in provided with 5G service by stc group in in upgrading its existing 5G network to an
the region. The group is currently carrying 2019. The 5G service was extended to 75 advanced 5G network across all its towers
out the most extensive expansion of their cities nationwide the following year. The in the five main cities. This move aims to
5G network. This initiative aims to enhance expansion of the 5G network continued and provide better services and opportunities
the infrastructure, making it more robust was further accelerated by stc group's "Dare" for retail and business customers while
and advanced than ever, thus promising to strategy, which comprised four pillars: solidifying stc group's position as the
enrich the user experience. The 5G network expanding in size and scope, renewing the leading digital enabler in the region.

stc Group Collaborates with Microsoft to Unlock the Potential of Innovation
in Corporate Digital Transformation

models, and bring innovative products and
services to market. By jointly developing
and deploying the latest advanced
technologies, the partnership aims to
support high quality, safe, and secure
digital experiences for businesses across
the Kingdom. The alliance will also serve
as an innovation powerhouse, powering
the transformation of industries from the
Kingdom to the world. “We are excited
about this next phase in our journey with
stc. Our aim is to empower businesses of
all sizes and industries with tailored digital
solutions that enable them to innovate
and solve their unique challenges to drive
stc group, an engine of digital Saudi Arabia,” said stc group CEO Olayan equitable business growth.” Said Ralph
transformation, today announced the Alwetaid. “This collaboration isn't just about Haupter, President Microsoft EMEA.
expansion of its strategic partnership technology; it's about promoting a future Bringing stc group’s local and regional
with Microsoft to further advance its where Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of channels together with Microsoft’s partner
digitalization and drive innovation across global innovation, setting the standard for and developer ecosystem, the partnership
Saudi Arabia. As part of the partnership, what's possible in the digital age. Together will create a virtuous circle of deployment
the organizations will jointly develop and with Microsoft, we will work to bring the of new baseline services that enables
deploy cutting-edge solutions that will latest technologies to Saudi Arabia and partner-led innovation, which in turn
transform and empower organizations help businesses of all sizes to embrace generates demand. In addition, by focusing
across various industries, while enabling digital transformation, advance economic efforts on skills development and help-
small businesses to grow and thrive in the diversification, and create a more vibrant ing to digitize the “non-digitalized”, the
digital economy. "Our strategic partnership and prosperous future for our country.” The alliance aims to make the benefits of
with Microsoft marks a defining moment collaboration between the organizations innovation inclusive and sustainable.
in the history of digital transformation aims to enable stc’s subsidiaries to explore
for both stc group and the Kingdom of new markets, develop disruptive business

28 OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023