Page 24 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

MEMBERS NEWS

stc Announces Localizing Platform for E-SIM for
the First Time in Saudi Arabia

stc has announced localizing platform for E-SIM for the first Hiatham Al-Faraj, stc SVP of Technology & Operations consider
time in Saudi Arabia, obtaining an international accreditation the adoption of eSIM in Saudi Arabia in cooperation with GSMA
deemed requisite for rolling out eSIM technology, in a move that Certification is a step forward towards achieving the mandates
can transform the way consumers use smart phones and devices of Saudi Vision 2030, by localizing eSIM technology and further
across Saudi Arabia. Now stc has the capability to provide eSIM enabling digital transformation”. He added “We are excited about
services to all Mobile and Virtual Network Operators (MNOs/ the possibility of introducing eSIM technology in Saudi Arabia.
MVNOs) in the Kingdom as a National eSIM Platform. Also the The SAS Certification process was a challenging one; but passing
service can be extended to any MNO in the Arabian Gulf region or and holding the Certification stands as a testimony to stc’s world-
internationally interested in obtaining the eSIM service from stc. class security standards and operational excellence”. The eSIM is
a device-embedded card that eliminates the need for traditional
plastic SIM cards; and enables subscribers to add and remove
operators remotely without having to acquire a new SIM card.
eSIM is widely acclaimed as the SIM for a next generation of
connected devices, as it powers frontier futuristic applications
such as the Internet of things (IoT), connected mobility, artificial
intelligence, and video surveillance. Adopting and commercializing
eSIM technology require the company hosting the eSIM Platform
to undergo a series of stringent technical and security audits,
namely SAS Certification, sponsored by the GSM Association, an
international standard-setting body. stc has successfully passed
the audits and scored the highest results worldwide following a
long and rigorous process that asserted the company’s technical
and security readiness. Obtaining the GSMA Certification marks a
key milestone for localizing the technology in Saudi Arabia, while
an actual timeline for deployment remains to be announced.

A 100 Million Riyal Initiative from stc to Support Health Care in the Kingdom

As part of its partnership with the Ministry operations. Today, stc is aiming to increase expert to analyze images and provide a
of Health aimed at increasing prevention the efficiency of the centers’ infrastructure diagnosis. These solutions will be used in
from the coronavirus and limiting its and to enable digital services as part of the dozens of hospitals across the Kingdom
spread, stc has doubled the operational beneficiary journey. In related endeavors, to improve the efficiency of the services
efficiency and awareness outreach of 22 of advanced cloud computing-based health they provide to their patients. Additionally,
its healthcare centers, established over the services also form part of the digital stc and the Ministry of Health are working
previous years across Saudi Arabia. These solutions stc provides to medical centers on raising awareness among the public on
efforts also form part of the company’s and hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of how to prevent the spread of coronavirus
commitment to long lasting social Health. Such solutions are of great medical as part of a joint campaign launched across
initiatives as the centers offer healthcare value across the world, especially when it digital and traditional media outlets. Over
support and participate in awareness comes to 5G linked micro-procedures. 1.7 billion messages have been sent over
campaigns, constituting an initiative They further support existing services, the past six weeks in 10 languages. Similar
valued at SAR 100 million. Having been such as the medical imaging platform PAX campaigns have been simultaneously
constructed and equipped at stc’s cost, and medical imaging technology EMI, as launched in Kuwait and Bahrain led by stc
the 22 healthcare centers have provided they connect the largest possible number affiliates in the two countries.
services to over 5 million beneficiaries of hospitals to the cloud. For instance, they
and patients since the launch of their make it possible for the closest available

24 MARCH 2020