Saudi Arabia’s digital landscape is set for a significant upgrade with a new partnership between stc group and ROSHN Group. The collaboration will focus on deploying advanced digital infrastructure within the ROSHN’s SEDRA community, aiming to provide residents with enhanced wireless coverage and seamless connectivity. This initiative, announced recently, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a regional leader in technology and smart city development.
stc group, a prominent digital enabler in the region, will be responsible for the design, construction, and operation of a neutral-host network throughout the SEDRA community. This network will be accessible to all telecommunications service providers, fostering competition and ultimately benefiting consumers. The first phases of development within SEDRA are expected to be the initial beneficiaries of this improved connectivity.
Advancing Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation with Neutral-Host Networks
The partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a strategic framework aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy and improving the quality of life for its citizens. A key component of this vision is the development of world-class infrastructure, including robust and reliable digital networks. Neutral-host networks, like the one planned for SEDRA, are increasingly seen as a cost-effective and efficient way to achieve this goal.
Unlike traditional networks built and maintained by individual operators, a neutral-host network allows multiple providers to share the same physical infrastructure. This reduces duplication of resources, lowers costs, and accelerates the deployment of advanced technologies like 5G and beyond. It also allows for greater flexibility and scalability as demand for data continues to grow.
ROSHN Group’s Focus on Integrated Communities
ROSHN Group, a leading real estate developer owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is known for its commitment to creating fully integrated communities. These developments prioritize sustainability, quality of life, and the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies. The SEDRA community, located near Riyadh, is a prime example of this approach, offering a range of housing options and amenities.
According to ROSHN Group, the partnership with stc group is a natural extension of their dedication to providing residents with the best possible living experience. Enhanced connectivity is viewed as a crucial element of modern community design, enabling remote work, online education, and access to a wide range of digital services.
stc’s ‘newtrack’ Initiative and Expanding Role
This collaboration is part of stc group’s broader ‘newtrack’ initiative, launched in 2023. ‘newtrack’ focuses on enabling the digital transformation of major projects across Saudi Arabia, particularly within the hospitality, residential, and tourism sectors. This demonstrates stc’s growing role as a key partner in the Kingdom’s ambitious development plans.
The initiative has already seen stc group involved in providing telecommunications solutions for several large-scale projects. By offering neutral digital infrastructure, stc aims to facilitate innovation and competition among service providers, ultimately driving down costs and improving service quality for end-users. Additionally, the company is positioning itself as a central player in the rollout of next-generation networks.
The deployment of this network in SEDRA is expected to improve mobile signal strength, increase data speeds, and provide a more reliable wireless experience for residents. This is particularly important as more devices connect to the internet and demand for bandwidth continues to rise. The project also has the potential to serve as a model for future developments across the Kingdom.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on the rapid deployment of the neutral-host network within the initial phases of SEDRA. The timeline for completion of these phases remains unclear, and the ultimate success of the project will depend on effective collaboration between stc group and ROSHN Group, as well as the willingness of other telecommunications providers to utilize the shared infrastructure. Further announcements regarding the expansion of ‘newtrack’ to other projects are also anticipated.
