Nokia, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), local neutral host specialist ACES NH, and service providers Mobily and Zain Saudi, has successfully completed an industry-first pilot deploying 5G Standalone (5G SA) indoor coverage using sharable indoor spectrum on the 4.0–4.1 GHz band combined with active sharing techniques. This breakthrough allows every mobile operator in the Kingdom to deliver gigabit-class 5G inside low- to medium-traffic buildings via a single, cost-optimized system, eliminating the need for duplicate equipment and 4G anchors, thereby reducing deployment costs by over 60%.
The pilot highlights Nokia’s Shikra radio portfolio and Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) software as unique enablers of spectrum-efficient, multi-operator 5G networks suitable for both private wireless and public deployments.
With mobile data per smartphone expected to rise from 29 GB monthly in 2024 to approximately 54 GB by 2030, and 80% of mobile traffic generated indoors, conventional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) that allocate separate hardware and spectrum per operator result in high capital expenditures and energy consumption. By leveraging sharable indoor spectrum on the 4.0–4.1 GHz band alongside 5G SA active sharing, the pilot demonstrates equitable access for all operators while expediting 5G coverage in business districts, giga-projects, and public venues. Early cost modeling by Nokia and ACES indicates an additional 47% savings with the removal of 4G anchoring, making “greenfield indoor” 5G SA sites commercially viable from launch.
Nokia’s Shikra pico solutions for the 4.0 GHz band are compact, energy-efficient remote radios that provide uniform mid-band 5G coverage across multi-story buildings. Utilizing 5G Standalone MOCN active sharing, a single RAN and core slice supports multiple operators simultaneously, enhancing spectral efficiency and simplifying network management. The platform is also designed for private wireless applications, enabling dedicated enterprise 5G cores to deliver secure Industry 4.0 and campus network services alongside public connectivity.
Eng. Mufarreh J. AlNahari, Deputy Governor of Studies and Innovation at CST, stated that this collaboration exemplifies how innovative regulation, vendor expertise, and local partnerships can jointly deliver reliable, high-quality 5G for enterprises and consumers, with plans to scale the model nationwide.
Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President for Mobile Networks MEA at Nokia, emphasized that sharable indoor spectrum provides a powerful new approach to accelerate 5G adoption indoors without complex auctions or spectrum refarming. He added that Nokia’s Shikra pico radios combined with true 5G SA active sharing software enable a neutral host system capable of serving all operators with carrier-grade performance while reducing costs and carbon emissions per gigabyte.
Dr. Khalid AlMashouq, CEO of ACES NH, highlighted that Nokia’s innovative indoor portfolio offers building owners a single future-proof solution and allows operators to expand rapidly with reduced capital expenditure.
Eng. Alaa Malki, CTO of Mobily, reaffirmed the operator’s commitment to innovation and operational efficiency through shared infrastructure models that enhance indoor customer experience and network performance, reinforcing Mobily’s leadership in Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.
Eng. Mohammed AlNujaidi, CTO of Zain KSA, remarked that pioneering scalable, high-performance shareable network models aligns with Zain’s dedication to evolving Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure and accelerating the nation’s journey toward a knowledge-based economy and smart infrastructure.
