STC meets growing broadband demand in Saudi Arabia
With over 50 million cellular lines and mobile penetration approaching 200 percent, the Saudi Arabian telecom market is now offering 3G and 4G LTE competitive services – and customers are ready to enjoy the full benefits of evolved packet core network connectivity.
To provide subscribers with easy access and a seamless connectivity experience, STC, one of the largest telecommunications providers in the Middle East, selected Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC), to expand its Evolved Packet Core (EPC) using Ericsson SSR 8020 as an Evolved Packet Gateway (EPG) in combination with its world leading SGSN-MME.
This new development will enable STC to offer its customers the benefits of state-of-the-art telecommunications network features across the country. These benefits will be more evident as the use of smartphones, tablets and mobile applications continues to rapidly spread.
Combined with LTE access networks, EPC will provide a whole new experience for STC customers, with a rich variety of multimedia applications and true broadband access virtually anywhere. Ericsson will, through its consulting and systems integration capabilities, be responsible for the end-to-end systems integration of the expanded EPC.
Dr. Khaled Al Biyari, Senior Vice President Technology & Operations, STC, says: "STC, as the largest operator in the Middle East has always strived to provide best in class network quality through consistent optimization and up gradation of our infrastructure. Ericsson has been one of our long-standing partners and their multi-access EPC solution will enable STC to continue delivering next-generation services to customers."
Ali Eid, Head of Ericsson in Saudi Arabia, says: "STC, as one of the 4G worldwide technology leaders, is addressing the new demands placed upon operators to offer easy access and attractive user experiences. To do this they need solutions that can address today’s requirements while providing service differentiation and preparing and positioning themselves for a world where virtually everything will be connected. Ericsson’s innovative EPC solutions are designed to provide reliability and scalability, giving STC the flexibility needed to meet the fast-growing demand for mobile broadband services in Saudi Arabia."
The agreement will supply STC with an EPC solution to deliver the quality of service that STC customers deserve and expect. It will provide ease of use and transparent charging – factors that drive subscriber uptake of smart applications and services.
The scope of the agreement includes evolving STC network into the latest available technologies (Ericsson Blade System, MKVIII for SGSN-MME and Ericsson SSR 8020 for GGSN/EPG). The solution handles the growing demand for mobile broadband through common high-capacity multi-access platforms. The new core elements act as a common platform supporting 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE network technologies, providing additional capacity and throughput to cater for surging demand.
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Notes to editors
About Saudi Telecom Company (STC)
STC is the leading national provider of telecommunication services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company is working continuously to fulfill and satisfy the market requirements, keeping pace with the emerging technologies in the telecommunications sector and satisfying its customer's needs. STC has put in its consideration that, this is the way to reinforce its position and identity, in view of a changing world, where the role and usage of telecommunications became more significant.
Believing in the importance of its customers and fulfillment of their needs, STC has adopted a new Broadband Strategy that aims to support and re-enforce its leading competitive position. Based on this strategy, STC strives to continue to enhance customer- centric culture in all its business aspects. This culture has been reflected in the organizational design of the company that focused on the Key STC Customer Categories.
In the last few years, STC has gone beyond its local borders to the international markets, forming a network of businesses and investments in a number of Gulf Cooperation Countries, Asia & Africa, which enabled STC to serve a greater number of global customers.
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