Riyadh: TECHz Magazine – News Desk
stc group and Ericsson have signed a multi-year agreement at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh to significantly expand the 5G network across Saudi Arabia. The partnership focuses on upgrading existing infrastructure, deploying new network sites, and extending the reach of 5G Standalone networks to support the nation’s digital transformation.
This agreement marks the world’s first commercial deployment of the Ericsson Radio 4496, a quad-band Frequency Division Duplexing unit that aggregates four low-frequency bands into a single high-power 400-watt system. The rollout activates stc group’s recently acquired 600 MHz spectrum, which, when combined with mid-band deployments, will push connectivity into remote rural regions and drastically improve indoor signal penetration. Furthermore, these consolidated radio units enable wide-area 5G coverage with lower overall power consumption for a more sustainable network footprint.
The expanded network is engineered to support next-generation connectivity across vital sectors, including logistics, energy, mining, tourism, and public services. In areas currently lacking optical fiber infrastructure, the upgrades will strengthen Fixed Wireless Access as a reliable broadband alternative. The agreement also incorporates Ericsson’s software subscription model, guaranteeing continuous technological upgrades for network performance and operational efficiency.
Sultan S. Alturki, Technology Procurement GM at stc group, stated that expanding network capacity and deploying the 600 MHz spectrum will extend reliable connectivity to more areas and support Saudi Arabia’s growing digital needs. Fadhel Isa, Head of Networks for Ericsson Saudi Arabia, noted that the agreement builds upon a multi-generational partnership extending from 2G to 5G. Site deployments are scheduled to commence in 2026 and will continue throughout the duration of the agreement across Ericsson’s geographic footprint in Saudi Arabia.
