Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Al-Swaha, recently toured holy sites in Makkah and Madinah to review telecommunications services ahead of the upcoming Hajj season. Accompanied by Haytham Al-Ohali, acting governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, the visit focused on ensuring reliable connectivity for pilgrims.
The commission reported over 10,500 Wi-Fi access points across Makkah, Madinah, and surrounding holy sites, with 5G and 4G coverage reaching 99%. Mobile internet speeds hit 264 Mbps in Makkah and 336 Mbps in Madinah, providing robust connectivity for millions of pilgrims.
Officials also inspected key transit hubs including King Abdulaziz International Airport, Halat Ammar Border Crossing, Yanbu Port, and Jadidat Arar Border Crossing, alongside facilities managed by national telecom providers STC, Mobily, Zain, and Tawal. These reviews assessed network performance and emergency preparedness.
Minister Al-Swaha praised telecom companies’ efforts in maintaining strong digital infrastructure and met over 200 technology volunteers deployed to support Hajj operations. These volunteers, backed by the Awon Tech Charitable Society, receive digital skills training and collaborate with public entities to enhance service delivery.
Al-Swaha commended Awon Tech’s role in integrating technology with Hajj services, emphasizing how such initiatives elevate the pilgrim experience and reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to efficient, reliable connectivity during this significant religious event.
