Minister of Communications conducts on-site visit to review Mobily's network readiness for serving pilgrims
During the visit, His Excellency was briefed on the readiness of Mobily's network, which has undergone enhancements in data capacity and the adoption of new technologies. This includes the automation of network operations and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems to improve network performance.
Mobily's CEO, Eng. Nezar Banabeela, provided a detailed overview of the company's innovative technologies and high-quality services to be deployed this Hajj season. As a digital enabler and a trusted national partner in ICT and media services, Mobily aims to support relevant authorities in facilitating a seamless experience for pilgrims and enabling them to stay connected with their loved ones. This is made possible by Mobily's advanced infrastructure, which plays a key role in enhancing the quality of services provided to Hajj pilgrims.
Banabeela mentioned that Mobily has dedicated all its human and technological capabilities to deliver an exceptional digital experience for pilgrims, from their arrival in the Kingdom to their stay in Makkah and the Holy Sites.
He added, 'This year, Mobily has expanded its use of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance telecom efficiency and better meet the digital needs of pilgrims during their rituals. This includes the use of AI to classify usage levels across the network, diagnose network performance indicators using machine learning, and audit preventive maintenance activities via the 'Mu'een' system — a pioneering interactive robot that provides real-time, accurate analytics for network status. Additionally, digital twin technology will be used to monitor and analyze network performance in real time, predict congestion or outages, and interpret alerts, thereby improving operational efficiency.
He also noted that Mobily has doubled the capacity of its 5G network using the N41 spectrum band in Makkah and Madinah and increased the number of towers in the Holy Sites by 63% to enhance coverage and service quality. Mobily has also expanded its 5G coverage in Makkah and the Holy Sites.
As part of continuous network improvements to meet the growing demand for high-speed data, Mobily has boosted its infrastructure by adding Wi-Fi access points, increasing international call capacity, and expanding fiber-optic coverage to towers in the Holy Sites.
Mobily also extended its 5G network coverage to areas including Muzdalifah and the interior of the Third Saudi Expansion of the Holy Mosque. The core data network capacity has reached 1.44 terabits per second.
To further enhance the Hajj experience, Mobily increased its retail points for Hajj services by approximately 13% compared to last year. These points offer a variety of services, including voice and 4G/5G internet access. Mobily also launched the SOFT POS application to facilitate digital payments for pilgrims.
Mobily is the first company to fully automate all steps of telecom service delivery through the Nusuk Hajj platform Mobily gives priority access to pilgrims and Umrah performers using its services through Nusuk, reducing SIM activation time from 10 minutes to just 2 minutes, and offering discounts on recharge services.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Saudi Arabia announces extension of tax amnesty programme; conditions for fine exemption
Saudi Arabia announced an extension of a tax amnesty programme until December 31, 2025. The initiative, running from July 1, cancels fines and exempts establishments from financial penalties incurred as a result of overdue tax returns filing or violations. First implemented in 2020 by Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (Zatca), the scheme was introduced with the aim to help establishments cope with the financial implications of Covid. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Types of taxes included Value Added Tax (Vat) Withholding Tax Excise Tax Income Tax Real Estate Transaction Tax (Rett) Exemption from fines Subject to certain conditions, the following fines will be exempted under this programme: Fines from late registration in all tax laws and regulations Delayed payment fines, overdue tax return submission in all tax laws and regulations Vat return correction penalty Fines for violations of Vat field detection and e-invoicing, based on Article 45 of the Vat law What are the conditions for exemption? Non-registered persons must register in the tax system Submitting all required tax returns to Zatca. This includes those that have not been previously submitted, and correctly declaring all undeclared tax returns Paying the full tax debt principal. Applicants can also apply for an installment scheme, subject to certain conditions listed below. These exemptions are eligible on tax returns which should have been filed before July 1. They do not apply on penalties from tax returns that should be filed after June 30. Installment plan The request for paying dues through an installment plan can be submitted before the scheme ends. The request will be reviewed by Zatca to ensure the taxpayer is qualified for the installment plan. The payments shall then be scheduled under specific periods However, if the installments are not paid on time, the plan will be cancelled. If the approved plan is cancelled, the exempted fines and those relating to the principal unpaid tax will then be imposed, depending on the original payment due date. If the taxpayer is on an approved installment plan, all payable dues will be exempted from late payment fines, even after the end of the exemption initiative. What are the tax violations? The Vat violations include: Vat violations of e-invoicing provisions include:
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Mideast Stocks: Gulf stocks mixed on US tariff uncertainty
Gulf equities ended mixed on Tuesday, with investors exercising caution over U.S. trade policies after President Donald Trump announced steep import levies on several trading partners and pushed the tariff deadline to August 1. While Gulf economies were spared from immediate measures, Trump had earlier announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on countries aligning with the "anti-American policies" of the BRICS bloc, which includes the UAE. Saudi Arabia, while not a BRICS member, attended a BRICS meeting in April. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index dropped 0.5%, ending a four-day winning streak as most sectors closed in red. ACWA Power Company slid 3.4%, while Al Rajhi Bank fell 0.2%. Oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets -retreated after gaining nearly 2% in the previous session on tariff concerns and a higher-than-expected increase in OPEC+ output planned for August. Dubai's main share index lost 0.1%, after reaching a 17-year peak the previous day, with blue-chip developer Emaar Properties dropping 0.7%. In Abu Dhabi, the index was marginally up. Qatar's benchmark index added 0.3%, supported by a 1.1% rise in the Qatar Islamic Bank. Meanwhile, Egypt's stock exchange said it had suspended trading on Tuesday, citing ongoing disruptions affecting brokerage firms' ability to communicate efficiently across the trading system, a day after a fire broke out in a telecoms data centre in Cairo. SAUDI ARABIA dropped 0.5% to 11,294 ABU DHABI added 0.1% to 10,012 DUBAI eased 0.1% to 5,794 QATAR firmed 0.3% to 10,834 BAHRAIN was up 0.7% to 1,961 OMAN slipped 0.5% to 4,554 KUWAIT increased 0.2% to 9,213 (Reporting by Amna Mariyam and Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
RGA and NCP launch EOI for One-Stop Station PPP Project
Riyadh: Following the approval of the Transport and Logistic Services Privatization Supervisory Committee, chaired by H.E. Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, the Roads General Authority (RGA), in collaboration with the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP), announced the launch of the Expression of Interest (EOI) phase for the One-Stop Station (OSS) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project. The project will be executed under a 30-year Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM) contract and tendered in three separate waves, comprising six packages. The packages are of similar scope and transaction structure, with a phased procurement approach designed to ensure a competitive bidding process that fosters private sector innovation. The first wave will include the initial package; the second wave will encompass the second and third packages; and the third wave will cover the remaining three packages. The project involves the development of roadside service facilities across various locations within RGA's 73,600-kilometer intercity road network. These facilities will include refueling stations, commercial spaces, parking lots, driver rest areas, vehicle maintenance services, and hospitality amenities. This promising opportunity is open to both local and international investors interested in contributing to the Kingdom's infrastructure modernization. The launch of the first wave will be detailed in the upcoming Request for Qualification (RFQ) stage. Through this initiative, Saudi Arabia aims to establish a modern, efficient, and traveler-friendly road network while reinforcing private sector participation in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, as well as Vision 2030. RGA and NCP invite interested local and international investors to review the EOI document, available on the NCP website at The deadline for submitting EOIs is 28 July, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. KSA time.
