Riyadh: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has announced the successful building and development of a 5G communications network using Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) technology to provide secure communications in remote, industrial, and sensitive locations.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the development of this network is part of the National Laboratory at KACST’s efforts in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST). These initiatives aim to accelerate technological advancement, localize future communication technologies, and establish an inclusive and sustainable digital economy, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to increase local content in non-oil sectors and diversify the national economy.

Developed by national expertise, the newly built network enables users to control its features and sensitive applications with high speed and responsiveness to suit their needs. It has been integrated with satellite systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to facilitate direct, real-time voice and video communications.

This achievement will accelerate technological readiness in Saudi Arabia’s next-generation communications sector, support the launch of new startups, and help build national capabilities in future communication technologies by training and qualifying more than 25 specialists in Open RAN technologies.

By 2030, 45 million users are expected to benefit from the Open RAN network, contributing to the growth of the future communications technology market in the Kingdom and creating numerous job opportunities.

Adopting Open RAN technologies will also support global efforts to diversify supply chains for communication network infrastructure, increase factory productivity by 25%, and boost the retail sector by nearly 15%. Additionally, Open RAN technology is projected to reduce capital costs for network construction by approximately 50% and lower operational costs by around 35%.