Page 66 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

government and the private sector,” Al- of the COVID-19 pandemic, total voice 251.06 megabits per second, which is 44
Tamimi said. “Hundreds of the Kingdom’s calls reached more than 159 million for percent higher than last year, while upload
most dedicated individuals and experts local and international connections, with speeds reached 32.9 Mbit/s, 27 percent
spent months ensuring this would go off a total success rate exceeding 99 percent, higher than last year in Makkah and the
smoothly, and our high expectations have CITC said. During the Hajj season, pilgrims holy sites. “It’s not merely the scores of
not been disappointed.” CITC has ensured consumed 36,000 terrabytes via telecom dedicated IT professionals and government
the smooth functioning of more than 5,900 networks in Makkah, the equivalent of ministers that made this huge increase in
towers and more than 11,000 Wi-Fi access streaming 14.83 million hours of 1080p HD communications possible,” said the CITC
points in the two holy cities. It also oversaw video clips. The average daily consumption chief. “It’s the pilgrims themselves. I want
a 41 percent increase in the number of 5G was 851.13 megabytes per user, more than to congratulate them, too, for making this
towers, with the number rising to more three times the world’s average of around historic journey. May they return safely to
than 2,600. With a large number of pilgrims 200 megabytes per user. CITC said that their loved ones after taking part in this life-
taking part for the first time since the start mobile internet download speeds reached changing event.”

CITC Approves Salam’s Plan to Sell All Fiber Assets

Riyadh-based Integrated Telecom fiber-optic network will be sold to
Company (Salam) has revealed that TLS on a three-phase implementation
it’s been given the green light by plan basis, with the process expected
Saudi Arabia’s Communications and to extend until the end of 2024. In
Information Technology Commission addition, Salam will lease parts of the
(CITC) to sell its fiber assets to fiber-optic network’s infrastructure
Technical Links Services (TLS). The from TLS based on its needs.

UAE's Thuraya is After Saudi Satellite Communication Market

Thuraya, UAE's mobile satellite services since investors are interested in the local solutions based on interoperability, said Al
company, is looking to seize new market. The company continues to look Ali, stressing that Thuraya provides safety,
opportunities and expand its activities for new investment opportunities in the security, and flexibility. It can add a variety
in the Saudi market. Thuraya has been Kingdom and other countries, especially of solutions and applications that meet
operating in the Saudi market for more in communication services and solutions, customer needs, including voice and data
than 20 years and provides the Kingdom's according to Al Ali. He pointed out that communications and push-to-talk (PTT),
military sectors with all services related to the company is engaged in promising remote monitoring and disaster recovery,
mobile satellite communications Thuraya's discussions with several Saudi institutions and border control. Thuraya expanded its
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sulaiman to achieve its goals. Al Ali said that the World current commercial activities regionally
Al Ali, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Defense Show, recently held in Riyadh, and globally and provided new services. It is
company wants to boost its partnership constitutes an important platform that preparing to launch top solutions, including
with the Saudi government and defense brings regional and international operators next-generation satellite internet devices,
sectors. The current communications together to create significant opportunities said Al Ali, adding that it is cooperating
developments seek to provide services that for dialogue. Several new devices that with new distributors, such as Cobham, to
include capabilities, information security, serve the military and defense sectors are provide satellite internet services in Libya,
and equipment development, said Al Ali. being developed, said Al Ali, noting that the Philippines, and Sudan. He touched on
He noted the importance of the Kingdom's the company primarily focuses on helping Thuraya's new PTT radio communications
orientation to localize the military sectors government agencies and international over the Internet, indicating that it will
after years of experience during the past relief organizations. He indicated that interest the Saudi market as it supports
years. The CEO stated that the current satellite communication devices are widely many in need sectors. Al Ali added that
generation is familiar with technology and used, noting that they are also required the service would achieve a fundamental
capable of taking the next step, stressing in the commercial sector that suffers transformation in the sector and enable
that his company is working with its from poor communication networks. users to extend their voice communications
Saudi partners to localize specific areas Defense institutions are always looking for to wherever their equipment or teams are.
to support local industries, especially reliable partners to obtain comprehensive

66 MAY-JUNE 2022