STC inks deal with Ericsson for Middle East’s first 5G trial

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) signed an agreement on Tuesday with Sweden-headquartered Ericsson to deploy the first 5G trial in the Middle East.

The pre-commercial trial “will give STC an early exposure for 5G technology development,” Ericsson said in a statement. 

STC, the kingdom’s largest mobile operator, will also be working with Ericsson to double 4G network capacity in Riyadh and Jeddah.

In a separate deal announced on Tuesday, STC agreed to partner with Finland’s Nokia to expand high-speed mobile broadband capacity and coverage in the kingdom using the firm’s 4.5G technology, as part of plans to eventually roll out 5G.

The enhanced network will meet increasing demand from subscribers and the pilgrims who travel to Makkah and Medina each year, Nokia said, adding that it has already completed the first phase of deployment in the two cities. 

Saudi Arabia’s data traffic has increased following the expansion of 4G, with the network in Makkah and Medina in particular experiencing a surge in demand, the statement said.