Nokia and STC Business today signed an agreement to launch LTE-based the air-to-ground pilot network in Saudi Arabia.

STC and Nokia have already conducted a trial of Nokia’s LTE-based air-to-ground solution in a flight from Riyadh to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

This trial network is the first in MEA, after the launch of the hybrid satellite and air-to-ground European Aviation Network in February 2018.

Nokia said it is showcasing how air-to-ground technology can significantly improve airline passengers’ experiences — at GITEX Technology Week 2018.

Nokia and STC are working to build a commercial strategy by providing with in-flight connectivity to customers. Nokia and STC will also work together on the network managed services and rollout for the air-to-ground services across the STC Group.

Nokia provided a dedicated network, including Nokia’s LTE air-to-ground radio access network, core infrastructure and applications for the trial network. Thales, Nokia’s technology partner for aviation equipment, provided the onboard equipment for the trial network.

“Nokia is the world’s only company that has a proven LTE end-to-end solution to provide in-flight broadband, which enables the passengers and the crew to communicate in real-time,” Tarig Enaya, senior VP of Enterprise Business Unit at STC, said.

Nokia’s LTE air-to-ground solution is currently the only solution specific to the aviation industry and supports real-time and ultra-broadband communications during a flight. Nokia’s air-to-ground solution uses specific spectrum to avoid interference with terrestrial networks. The on-board equipment, including the antenna, is especially designed for this solution.

Photo: (Left to right) Fahad Mushayt, CEO, STC Specialized; and Amr K. El Leithy, head of the MEA market, Nokia, sign MoU.

In the background (left to right) Tarig Enaya, senior VP of Enterprise Business Unit at STC; Waseem Al-Marzogi, head of the STC customer business team at Nokia; and Bernard Najm, head of the Middle East Market Unit, Nokia.