STC Group Launches 5G Commercial Services in Saudi Arabia

STC Group has launched 5G commercial services in Saudi Arabia as the first operator in the Kingdom to provide this service commercially, and make it available to customers in a number of cities in the Kingdom.

STC Group CEO, Eng. Nasser Sulaiman Al Nasser, said that this launch confirms the Group's leading position as a major pioneer in the area of digital transformation, and proves the remarkable development of the ICT sector in the Kingdom. He noted that the launch of 5G commercial services in Saudi Arabia coincides with the launching of the same commercial services a few days ago by VIVA Kuwait, one of the Group's subsidiaries, as the first operator in Kuwait. VIVA Bahrain, another subsidiary of STC, is also in the process of launching this service commercially soon.

Al Nasser affirmed that STC has developed the infrastructure of wireless networks in the Kingdom, extended their range, provided the latest global technologies, and accelerated the deployment of 5G networks, which is considered a major digital transformation. 5G networks provide the foundation for a range of innovative future applications, including the provision of unrivaled high-speed mobile Internet all over the Kingdom. At this time, 5G networks in their first phase are available in select areas in a number of major cities, by using home routers that will be available at specific STC outlets depending on the customers’ demands.

This launch is a confirmation of STC’s commitment towards providing pioneering innovative technologies and services to its customers all over the Kingdom and the region, since 5G technology aims to improve the speed and performance of wireless networks. This development will not only enhance the efficiency of the communication between humans and phones or computers, it will also inspire much sophisticated uses such as Internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics.

In May 2018, STC Group, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Naif, governor of the eastern region, had succeeded in launching its first live 5G network for the first time in the MENA region after completing the testing and trials phase. In addition to being among the first operators worldwide to make a successful call on a 5G smartphone in the Middle East, in collaboration with its strategic partners after successfully leading the phase of 5G testing and trials, which began in 2017; STC will continue to complete and expand the network gradually in the Kingdom's major cities during the current year. VIVA Bahrain launched its first live 5G network in June 2018.

The launch of 5G commercial services is in line with the Kingdom's digital transformation plans, and the objectives of the National Transformation Program as well as the Saudi Vision 2030. This launch can be seen as a confirmation of the advancement of the infrastructure that the Group has contributed to developing by heavily investing in it to ensure an advanced technical future.