The collaboration paves the way for a new, combined satellite and cellular network as STC secures all spectrum rights in a 2100MHz non-terrestrial network auction.
STC Group and Omnispace, the company dealing with mobile connectivity for the 21st century, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop space-based 5G mobile communications voice and data services.
STC will leverage the Omnispace 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial network (NTN), offering customers cost-effective global connectivity beyond its existing cellular land-based network.
The initiative will expand STC’s coverage areas to include underserved regions, offering customers seamless, direct-to-device, 5G mobile communications connectivity across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Eng. Khaled Ibrahim Aldharrab, Vice President of Technology Strategy and Architecture, STC, said: “We have an important opportunity to develop the network of the future, offering our customers connectivity through an industry-first combined cellular and satellite non-terrestrial network. We’re pleased to announce this collaboration with Omnispace that will not only provide STC with a competitive edge, but also offer our subscribers the communications infrastructure of the future. We look forward to working together to extend our mobile roaming in even the remotest of regions.”
Jay Yass, Chief Corporate Development and Strategy Officer, Omnispace, added: “Omnispace is excited to collaborate with STC on the development of an industry-first seamless, best-in-class voice and mobile system that will combine our non-terrestrial system with STC’s terrestrial network. We look forward to working with stc to develop the infrastructure of the future, paving the way for greater connectivity, reach and 5G network availability for its subscriber base across the Kingdom.”
STC customers across a variety of industry verticals, including automotive, agricultural, industrial, finance, government, oil and gas, IoT, along with consumer devices and applications, will benefit from ubiquitous voice and data mobile connectivity across the region.
