Recent developments in Saudi Arabia have signaled a significant push towards the creation of smart cities within the nation. This movement is characterized by a couple of strategic collaborations aimed at fostering advanced urban environments.
An alliance has been formed between MVNO Virgin Mobile Saudi, a subsidiary of Beyond One, and Hitek, a regional provider of technological services. Their cooperation is set to focus primarily on smart city solutions, starting with smart buildings in Saudi Arabia, though with potential to expand to other markets.
VMMEA, the largest MVNO in the Middle East and Africa, serves over three million subscribers across its Virgin Mobile and Friendi Mobile brands in the GCC region. Yaarob Al Sayegh, the CEO of Virgin Mobile Saudi, stated that their contribution would encompass ‘advanced telecommunications solutions’ including 5G, digital services, and enablement technologies.
“By leveraging Hitek’s expertise in digital solutions and our capabilities in telecommunications, we aim to build robust infrastructure that will not only enhance connectivity but also enable the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI and IoT.
“, Al Sayegh elucidated.
Hitek’s role will involve the implementation of digital solutions across various sectors such as waste, water, energy management, environmental monitoring, citizen engagement, and sectors like retail, hospitality, education technology, data analytics, AI, smart transportation, real estate, and urban development.
In another stride towards smart city realization, ROSHN Group, owned by the Public Investment Fund, has engaged in a framework agreement with Cisco. This collaboration is set to explore innovative solutions for constructing sustainable and smart buildings, leveraging IoT technologies.
ROSHN, which was initiated in 2020, is a giga-project aiming to bolster home-ownership in Saudi Arabia to 70% by 2030, aligning with the country’s vision for residential infrastructure.