MAKKAH: The Kingdom ranks fourth globally in the use of 5G technology and 10th in internet speed as a result of a nationwide digital transformation scheme.
The deputy minister for technology, industry and digital capacities at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Ahmed Al-Theneyan, presented the findings at the opening webinar of the “Digital Lanterns” event, which was launched on Friday by the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“We are proud of the digital transformation and qualitative leaps we have accomplished in all fields,” he said. “The Kingdom jumped from 150th to 10th place globally in terms of internet speed, showcasing the durability of its infrastructure. This was also due to the increasing use of fiber optics that have reached more than three million Saudi households, accompanied by 5G technology that will be used in the health and industrial sectors among others.”
The Kingdom now controls more than 7,000 5G towers and the ministry has launched several training programs, he added. The sector’s localization rate is 52 percent and the ministry is also implementing programs that support job creation. Al-Theneyan highlighted the ministry’s “Digital Giving Initiative,” which is aimed at promoting technical and digital awareness.