stc technologies during Hajj: 5G towers and instant translation for pilgrims
Introduction: stc technologies during Hajj enhance the experience of pilgrims
With the start of this year's Hajj season, stc Group announced its enhanced readiness to welcome pilgrims to the holy sites through a comprehensive suite of advanced technological and digital services. This strategic step aims to improve connectivity, ensure service continuity, and meet all the needs of pilgrims as they perform their rituals with ease and convenience, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to harnessing the latest technologies to serve those visiting the Holy Mosque.
Historical context: The evolution of communications in the holy sites
Historically, telecommunications services during the Hajj season have witnessed tremendous development. In past decades, the challenge lay in providing basic communication lines capable of handling millions of pilgrims within a limited geographical area and short timeframe. With the launch of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the Holy Sites have been transformed into smart cities relying on advanced digital infrastructure. Today, stc's technologies during Hajj represent an extension of this historical development, as services have evolved from simply providing voice coverage to offering solutions based on artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and 5G, making this year's Hajj experience the easiest and most advanced in history.
Flying 5G towers: A technological innovation to ensure coverage
Building on its technological leadership in infrastructure development, stc Group has introduced a 5G Flying Site service using advanced drones. This innovative technology ensures the continuity of digital services and rapid response times by providing coverage and connectivity in the event of any network challenges. It also effectively alleviates network congestion, addresses digital overload in the Holy Sites, and expands coverage, delivering it with high flexibility to densely populated areas.
“New Calling” service: Instant translation breaks down language barriers
Because pilgrims arrive from all corners of the earth speaking different languages, the group has introduced the advanced "New Calling" service, which provides real-time translation of voice calls between Arabic and English. This high-quality service relies on a sophisticated network supported by integrated language modeling capabilities, allowing callers to speak in their native language while the conversation is translated instantly and accurately. This technology takes into account the context and nature of the call, facilitating effective communication for pilgrims and overcoming language barriers.
Logistical preparations and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions
In anticipation of the expected surge in data traffic, stc has enhanced its logistical support by establishing 90 maintenance centers strategically located throughout the holy sites, backed by a robust field presence of over 550 qualified technical personnel. These teams operate around the clock to ensure rapid response and immediate handling of emergencies and malfunctions, supported by intelligent autonomous systems and network performance monitoring.
In addition, iot squared, an stc group company, has introduced advanced solutions based on Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Among these is the unified Fleet Management system, which allows operators to monitor vehicle movement in real time and send proactive alerts to address any emergencies, thus contributing to improved traffic flow and smoother crowd management.
The local and international impact of digitizing the Hajj season
The deployment of stc technologies during Hajj has a significant impact on several levels. Locally, it contributes to the successful and efficient management of crowds and crises, thus easing the burden on security and health authorities. Regionally and internationally, this digital system reflects the technological prowess of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its ability to seamlessly manage the world's largest human gathering. These technologies also enable millions of pilgrims to maintain constant and reliable contact with their families around the world, enhancing their sense of security and projecting a positive image of a successful Hajj season globally.
conclusion
Through this technical integration of advanced communication solutions, smart flying networks, and human and logistical readiness, stc Group affirms its commitment to harnessing all its technical capabilities to provide an exceptional, safe, and reliable digital Hajj experience for the pilgrims, so that the Kingdom remains the world’s leading model in adapting technology to serve the pilgrims.
