Minister Alswaha Assesses stc Group’s Readiness for Hajj Season
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha embarked on a field visit to stc Group’s operations center in Makkah to evaluate the Group’s extensive digital, technical, and logistical preparations for the upcoming 1446 AH Hajj season.
Accompanied by Vice Minister and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission Eng. Haytham Al-Ohali, stc Group CEO Eng. Olayan Mohammed Al-Wetaid, and other senior officials, the minister delved into the Group’s strategic technical plan aimed at ensuring top-notch service delivery in Makkah, Madinah, and the Holy Sites.
The plan involves a meticulous analysis of network performance at over 350 key locations, with infrastructure enhancements in high-traffic areas. Anticipating a 30% surge in data usage during Hajj, stc Group has bolstered over 30 5G sites and constructed more than 80 cutting-edge 4G sites. The activation of VoLTE technology promises improved voice and video communication, along with faster data transmission.
To amplify coverage, stc has erected 21 new sites within the holy sites and dispatched 78 mobile communication units to cater to densely populated areas and regions where permanent infrastructure installation is challenging. The network will be reinforced by 421 fixed sites, 77 mobile towers, and 998 strategically positioned Wi-Fi access points to ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity for pilgrims.
Additionally, the Group has established 11 logistics units and 99 maintenance centers in the holy areas, manned by specialized technical teams working round the clock to ensure seamless service during the Hajj period.
In a bid to promote digital empowerment and innovation, stc unveiled an AI-driven initiative designed to aid pilgrims through multilingual 3D guidance. Equipped with one of the largest interactive smart tables globally, the system offers pilgrims comprehensive information about Hajj rituals in an intuitive and user-friendly format.
