Leading Saudi telecommunications provider stc Group is expanding its 5G network coverage at the Grand Holy Mosque by 130 percent compared to last year to ensure better performance during the Umrah season.
The company also increased its network capacity by 13 percent in Mecca and 18 percent in Medina compared to last year, while expanding 5G coverage by 25 percent and 13 percent in the respective locations.
The group prepared an emergency action plan in collaboration with authorities to respond quickly to any crisis, in addition to deploying network stability, technical support, and maintenance teams ready around the clock.
The digital infrastructure of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque was established to accommodate millions during the holy month of Ramadan.
The group aims to prepare all sites for Umrah performers, worshippers, and visitors of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in a manner that guarantees an outstanding digital experience and raises the level of quality of services provided to them.
These preliminary preparations are aimed at ensuring the readiness of the group's services and digital solutions to provide visitors with a unique experience.
According to the Ministry of Hajj, Saudi Arabia receives millions of visitors during the Hajj and Ramadan seasons, and the number of Umrah visitors in 2022 will reach seven million people.
In 2022, the ministry allowed people who held a tourist visa to the Kingdom to perform Umrah during their stay for the first time.
Last year, the number of Umrah performers increased by half a million compared to the previous year. The Kingdom also expects nine million people to perform Umrah this year.
In early March, stc signed an agreement with Ericsson to study deployment options and future network architectures for providing 5G services.
The agreement aims to support stc's goal of developing cloud technologies and open networks, as well as enhancing the company's flexibility in its 5G infrastructure.