His Excellency the Saudi Minister of Media, Mr. Salman Al-Dossari, announced a major technological achievement representing a qualitative leap in the services provided to pilgrims. He confirmed the completion of 5G network coverage in the holy sites of Mecca, reaching 100%. This announcement came during a government press conference held to review the preparations of the relevant authorities for the 1445 AH Hajj season. He emphasized that the Hajj system is managed securely and technically using the latest technologies available globally.
Historical background and context of digital development
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places paramount importance on serving pilgrims and Umrah performers, continuously striving to harness all available resources to ensure their comfort and safety. Over the decades, the Hajj pilgrimage has witnessed tremendous development in infrastructure and logistics. The current digital transformation is an integral part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enrich the religious experience of pilgrims by providing smart and innovative services. The transition from 4G networks to full 5G coverage is not merely a technological upgrade, but rather a foundation for enabling a wide range of smart applications, such as crowd management, telemedicine, and smart transportation. This reflects the Kingdom's commitment to leadership in digital transformation, which has culminated in its ranking first globally in the Digital Readiness Index.
The importance of 5G network and its impact on the Hajj experience
The 5G network is characterized by its ultra-fast speeds and extremely low latency, opening new horizons for improving the management of the Hajj season, which attracts millions of pilgrims to a limited geographical area. Locally, this network will enable security and health authorities to monitor crowd movement in real time through high-definition cameras and big data analytics, helping to prevent stampedes and guide pilgrims smoothly. It will also provide pilgrims with an unprecedented communication experience with their families around the world, in addition to rapid access to government and guidance applications. Internationally, this achievement enhances the Kingdom's image as a technological leader capable of efficiently and effectively organizing the world's largest human gatherings, and ensures high-quality media coverage and uninterrupted live broadcasts of events for journalists from around the world.
Integrated initiatives to serve the guests of God
During the conference, Minister Al-Dossari highlighted other initiatives reflecting the Kingdom's integrated efforts, most notably the "Makkah Route Initiative," implemented by the Ministry of Interior for the eighth consecutive year. This initiative has benefited more than 1.2 million pilgrims since its launch, aiming to streamline entry procedures for pilgrims at their home airports. He also reviewed the efforts of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, which has completed its preparations to host more than 2,500 pilgrims from among the families of martyrs and scholars from over 100 countries. This includes equipping mosques in the Holy Sites and providing more than two million copies of the Holy Quran as a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. On the regulatory front, the Ministry of Commerce conducted more than 33,000 inspection tours in Makkah and Madinah to ensure the availability of goods and services. These efforts are complemented by the participation of more than 3,000 media professionals from 150 media outlets covering the Hajj, supported by a technical team of 2,400 specialists working around the clock to ensure the best possible coverage.
