KSA first in GCC to launch UberTaxi service

Mohammad Gazzaz, general manager of Uber in Saudi Arabia, said the new service is aligned with the Kingdom’s National Transformation Program.
Updated 29 September 2019
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KSA first in GCC to launch UberTaxi service

Uber Saudi Arabia has launched the UberTaxi service in the Kingdom, offering seamless taxi rides via the Uber app at the tap of a button. Saudi Arabia is the first market in the GCC region to benefit from the UberTaxi service. The company said the move is testament to Uber’s dedication to the Kingdom in further advancing the mobility system and serving the needs of its cities, taxi companies and riders.
Uber aims to enhance mobility options across the Kingdom and contribute toward its growth and modernization through its services. This is in line with the National Transformation Program, one of its initiatives being improving the quality of urban transportation services.
While Saudi Arabia has one of the largest road networks in the world connecting major cities and providing extensive means to transport passengers, UberTaxi’s launch serves as further investment in the Kingdom, and offers Uber riders an additional option to move in and around their cities.
Mohammad Gazzaz, general manager of Uber in Saudi Arabia, said: “I am delighted to announce the arrival of UberTaxi in the Kingdom. We are excited to be tapping into local modes of transport so more riders and drivers can benefit from our technology. Our new service is aligned with the Kingdom’s National Transformation Program, specifically on improving the quality of transportation networks across the Kingdom. Through this launch, we hope to further support the development of transportation services, and be a part of the Kingdom’s future transportation network.”

HIGHLGHT

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi recently stated that the Kingdom is a top-priority market for Uber in the GCC, and hence the launch of UberTaxi is a significant milestone for the brand in making reliable transportation affordable in Saudi Arabia.

UberTaxi can be accessed through the Uber app as another choice in service in addition to UberX. The rider will then be matched to the nearest taxi in the exact same way they are matched with any other service on Uber. Currently, thousands of taxi drivers have already been on-boarded on the application, and have started accepting trips.
Both riders and drivers will be able to benefit from the same safety features available across all other Uber products including features such as trip sharing, which allows drivers and riders to share details with friends and family during the trip, speed alerts, a feature which reminds drivers to drive within the posted speed limits, the emergency button which connects riders or drivers to emergency assistance whenever needed, and caller anonymization where riders and drivers are able to call each other while maintaining the privacy of their number. Taxi drivers will also benefit from the same privileges provided to all Uber drivers.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi recently stated that the Kingdom is a top-priority market for Uber in the GCC, and hence the launch of UberTaxi is a significant milestone for the brand in making reliable transportation affordable for residents and visitors across Saudi Arabia.


Aramco Digital to launch National Industrial Network on 450 MHz band

Updated 12 January 2026
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Aramco Digital to launch National Industrial Network on 450 MHz band

Aramco Digital, the digital and technology arm of Aramco, is preparing to launch its National Industrial Network operating on the 450 MHz spectrum, a network designed to enable secure, resilient, and high-reliability industrial communications across Saudi Arabia. The network has been engineered as a mission-critical industrial infrastructure to deliver high levels of security, flexibility, and reliability to meet the needs of industrial sectors. It provides wide-area coverage with advanced protection standards, supporting operational environments that require continuous performance and dependable connectivity for critical facilities and assets.

“The National Industrial Network has been designed to support the advanced operational requirements of modern industrial environments, aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening business continuity, and enabling a new class of highly reliable industrial communications. Together with next-generation mission-critical smart radios, the network aims to help build a future-ready industrial infrastructure that enables real-time data insights, supports industrial digital transformation, and aligns with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030,” said Nabil Al-Nuaim, Aramco Digital CEO.

Unlike public networks, the National Industrial Network has been purpose-built for industrial environments, enabling connectivity for critical assets, supply chains, logistics operations, and autonomous mobility systems. The network seeks to elevate smart industrial services, supporting real-time monitoring, automation, enhanced safety, and higher operational efficiency across industrial sectors.

As part of the launch, Aramco Digital plans to introduce an integrated portfolio of industrial digital solutions powered by the 450 MHz network. These include specialized connectivity packages tailored to diverse sector needs, along with a new generation of mission-critical smart radios designed specifically for industrial operations. The devices combine rugged high-performance design and industrial safety compliance with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, enhanced sensing technologies, extended battery life, and real-time on-device data processing, helping improve accuracy, safety, and operational continuity in complex environments.

The network has also been designed to support a wide spectrum of industrial IoT applications, including asset condition and performance monitoring, fleet tracking, air-quality and environmental sensing, intelligent video monitoring, smart metering, lighting and infrastructure control, as well as mobility and fleet-management solutions. These capabilities enhance operational transparency, automation, and efficiency across both industrial and public sectors.

The National Industrial Network aims to help establish a strong technological foundation for Saudi Arabia’s next industrial phase, contributing to the objectives of Vision 2030 by delivering highly reliable, nationwide industrial connectivity that enables automation, intelligence, and advanced digital services across vital sectors. By developing connectivity solutions aligned with the needs of modern industrial operations, Aramco Digital is helping shape the future of mission-critical digital infrastructure in the Kingdom, moving beyond traditional telecommunications to enable continuous interaction between devices, machines, and AI-powered systems, and strengthening real-time decision-making through edge processing.

The 450 MHz National Industrial Network represents more than an improvement in coverage or performance. It is a strategic step toward smarter, more autonomous, and technology-driven industrial ecosystems that enhance operational excellence and set a new benchmark for advanced digital infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

With the accelerating pace of digital transformation in the Kingdom, secure and reliable connectivity has become a fundamental pillar in supporting operational requirements and driving economic growth. Organizations across various sectors— including industrial sectors and those enabling future economies — are increasingly relying on advanced connectivity solutions and technologies to enhance safety and reliability, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new horizons for sustainable economic development.