5G Network Coverage Increases in Saudi Arabia; STC Selects Ericsson as Managed Service Provider

Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has announced that seven additional cities and provinces were covered by 5G services in Q4 2020, bringing the total to 51 cities and provinces in various regions of Saudi Arabia.

CITC’s quarterly ‘Meqyas’ report highlighted that Zain led  in terms of 5G footprint in the Kingdom, covering 44 cities and provinces, followed by the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) with 22 and Mobily with 21 cities and provinces.

STC recorded the highest average 5G download speed of up to 342.35Mbps, followed by Zain (338.12MB) and Mobily (220.86Mbps). The Meqyas report also revealed that Zain has deployed 5G services in all regions of the Kingdom except Makkah, in which Mobily recorded the best performance during Q4 2020.

Separately, STC announced the deployment of its 5G network in 47 cities around the country.  It’s part of its plan to strengthen its leadership in reliable mobile coverage and deploy the largest 5G network in the Middle East. According to STC, phase 2 of the plan will increase 5G network coverage in Saudi Arabia to over 71 cities across the country.

As part of its infrastructure enhancement, the FTTH fiber optic network is also going to be expanded. This will enable higher broadband speeds and services to home and business users.  In addition, STC has also confirmed that it has been expanding its global Internet Gateway, progressively growing the capacity of the network.

Eng. Haithem Al Faraj, SVP, technology and operations, STC, said: “STC will continue to pursue an aggressive 5G expansion, together with growth in its advanced 4G network.”

Saudi Arabia 5G network industrial illustration, large cellular tower or mast on modern background with the flag - 3D Illustration Stock Illustration - 118596051

References:

https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2021/02/12/citc-51-cities-in-saudi-arabia-covered-by-5g/

https://www.itp.net/94380-stc-to-deploy-phase-2-of-5g-in-71-saudi-arabia-cities#:~:text=STC

https://www.telecompaper.com/news/stc-deploys-5g-network-in-over-47-cities–1372282

http://www.saudiarabiapr.com/pr.asp?pr=8911773

 

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