The Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has extended its long-standing partnership with Ericsson, a global provider of communications technology and services, to transform, expand and upgrade its network in Saudi Arabia.

The move is part of STC’s strategy to optimise its network performance, scalability and integration using Ericsson’s technologies.

Under the new partnership, Ericsson will also establish an experience centre that will bridge the gap between university academic knowledge and the information and communications technology (ICT) industry requirements with a focus on support to build special competencies in long-term evolution (LTE), charging system, ESDP (Ericsson service delivery platform) and inventory software.

The partnership has enabled the launch of advanced high-speed mobile broadband technologies, providing high quality video delivery, catering for the high growth in demand for video and TV services in the kingdom. As a result, STC subscribers will enjoy an increase in the average throughput per user, faster call setup, minimum call disconnection, coverage availability - especially in an indoor environment - and high speed internet.

Dr Khaled Biyari, senior vice president for technology, operations and IT, said: “Partnering with Ericsson will support us to deliver high quality connectivity both indoors and outdoors while expanding coverage to rural areas in the kingdom.  We will also work jointly with Ericsson to develop and train our employees and students on technologies that already support STC’s business in Saudi Arabia aiming to fulfil the future demand for high calibres in the Saudi market.”

STC and Ericsson will further collaborate in testing and evolving advanced ICT technologies especially in the areas of small cells, indoor systems, and software defined networking. – TradeArabia News Service