STC and Nokia have announced that they are collaborating to launch STC’s 5G network this year. They agreed to collectively work toward finding the most optimal network strategy and relevant use cases for 5G deployment in the Saudi market. As a first step, hundreds of 5G base stations are planned to be deployed in the Kingdom’s western region (Makkah, Madinah and Yanbu).
The 5G collaboration aims to use Nokia’s equipment and solutions, including the 5G-ready AirScale platform and AirFrame data center for the network launch. The unique combination of high-speed and low-latency in 5G technology opens up a number of new and exciting use cases, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, connected cars, industrial robots, remote health care, and others.
Acting STC Group CEO Nasser Al-Nasser said: “We have been working closely with Nokia over the last 20 years. It is a testimony for this successful partnership that we have decided to collaborate with Nokia for this critical launch, with the aim of making 5G a reality in 2018. We are confident that Nokia’s proven expertise and technology leadership in 5G will work in our favor and will help us in deploying pioneering and innovative 5G services.”
Amr K. El-Leithy, head of the Middle East and Africa market at Nokia, said: “We have defined a 5G Future X portfolio that draws on our research across radio, optics, IP and software technologies. Our market-leading, end-to-end portfolio including Nokia AirScale radio and the Nokia AirFrame datacenter solution will allow STC to evolve its network, managing 4G demands today and the 5G demands of the future.
“Working together with STC, we will leverage our technology expertise to define the strategies and services that will help STC achieve its ‘Vision 2020.’”
STC inks deal with Nokia for 5G network
STC inks deal with Nokia for 5G network
More crop per drop: NADEC and EF Polymer deploy breakthrough technology to cut agricultural water use by 40%
Following a strategic technology-scouting framework led by Universal Materials Incubator, the National Agricultural Development Company has entered into a partnership to launch large-scale field trials of EF Polymer, marking a significant step in deploying deep-technology solutions to strengthen the Kingdom’s food and water security.
The collaboration initiates field trials of EF Polymer’s proprietary solution — a 100 percent organic, biodegradable powder that performs like a “soil battery” upcycled from food waste. Engineered to address water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions, the material can absorb up to 50 times its own weight in water and gradually release moisture directly to plant roots. This mechanism has the potential to reduce irrigation water use by up to 40 percent, while enhancing crop yield and long-term agricultural productivity.
Beyond water efficiency, EF Polymer improves nutrient retention by minimizing fertilizer leaching, thereby reducing overall fertilizer requirements. After approximately one year in the soil, the material fully biodegrades into organic carbon, organic matter, and trace nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and nitrogen — contributing directly to improved soil health and long-term fertility.
The solution is affordable, easy to apply, and suitable for a wide range of crops, making it viable both for individual farmers and for industrial-scale agricultural operations such as NADEC’s.
EF Polymer has already achieved significant commercial adoption across multiple global markets, including Japan, the US, India and Turkiye, where it is actively used by farmers and agribusiness operators to improve water efficiency, soil health, and crop resilience under varying climatic conditions.
Its organic credentials are certified by OMRI and Ecocert, reinforcing its alignment with sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.
The stakes for this alliance are high. By 2030, global freshwater demand is projected to exceed supply by 40 percent. In Saudi Arabia, the challenge is localized but intense: the agricultural sector alone consumes approximately 11.4 billion cubic meters of water annually. This partnership underscores NADEC’s commitment to adopting innovative, scalable technologies that conserve natural resources while supporting resilient food systems across the Kingdom.
Mohamed Al-Rajhi, VP of supply chain sector at NADEC, said: “Strategic agriculture today requires a long-term commitment to soil health and resource circularity. NADEC is leading the shift toward regenerative practices that restore our natural capital rather than merely consuming it. By diversifying our crop portfolio and investing in closed-loop nutrient management, we are insulating our operations against global price volatility and environmental shifts.”
“We are aggressively deploying AI-driven irrigation systems and satellite-based crop monitoring to optimize every drop of water and every hectare of land. This strategic pivot toward agri-digitization allows us to mitigate climate risks in real-time while significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Our commitment to sustainability is our greatest competitive advantage, ensuring that NADEC remains the cornerstone of the Middle East’s agri-food sector for decades to come. These trials focus on strategic scalable crops like wheat and olive trees to ensure the future of the Kingdom’s food security is both sustainable and locally rooted,” he added.
Strategic trial milestones:
- Wheat: Trials have commenced to demonstrate water retention in this water-intensive crop.
- Olive and blueberry: Specialized testing is scheduled for March to evaluate yield improvements and nutrient efficiency.
This collaboration supports Saudi Vision 2030 goals of reducing non-renewable groundwater use by 90 percent.
