Airbus, STC Specialized provide communications network for Saudi Arabia’s Hajj

Saudi Arabia has chosen Airbus and STC Specialized to secure millions of pilgrims during Muslim gathering with state-of-the-art mission critical technology. Airbus, a provider of secure communication and collaboration solutions, is providing mission critical communications technology to Saudi Arabia, for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Secure Land Communications, an Airbus business unit, offers advanced communication and collaboration solutions enabling its customers to gather, process and deploy intelligence. Its portfolio is tailored to the needs of professionals from Public Safety and Transport, Utility and Industry. It includes infrastructures, devices, applications and services based on Tetra, Tetrapol and Broadband technologies.

Information was sent to emergency personnel using STC Specialized network powered by Airbus Tetra solution.

Airbus has been a supplier of secure communication solutions for the Hajj pilgrimage every year since 2017. With the implementation of its systems to ensure faster emergency response for public safety, and use of its state-of-the-art technology, Airbus and STC Specialized ensured the smooth running of security operations, which safeguard millions of visitors each year.

Various security organisations benefited from Airbus’ trusted solutions which include the slimline Th1n Tetra radio and Automatic Vehicle Location technology. These inform dispatchers of each mobile units’ location, status, and active Tetra talk groups. The information is then sent to all the relevant emergency personnel using the STC Specialized network powered by Airbus’ Tetra solution; such as, the Ministry of Hajj, the Ministry of Health, and Mecca Municipality.

Airbus mission critical solutions facilitated the monitoring of this major event, as well as the communication between ground staff and the control rooms, enabling them to immediately address any on-site emergency while benefitting from the stability, continuity, and reliability of Airbus technology when, and where it is needed the most.

The Hajj is the largest Muslim gathering in the world and takes place every year over a period of six days. This year, from the 9th of August onwards, 1.8 million Muslims visited the holy city of Mecca.

From 9th of August, 1.8 million Muslims visited the holy city of Mecca.

Airbus solutions included slimline Th1n Tetra radio and Automatic Vehicle Location technology.

“Critical communications technology is a key enabler in widening the scope of emergency response mechanisms and implementing quality and performance standards in order to improve operational efficiency, and increase system-wide coordination in all emergency situations, especially during critical events, such as the Hajj,” declared Olivier Koczan, CEO of Secure Land Communications at Airbus.

“Airbus is honoured to be considered the partner of choice in providing resilient communications technology infrastructures; enabling the smooth running of the Muslim pilgrimage in the vicinity of Mecca,” Koczan adds.

Key takeaways

Hajj is the largest Muslim gathering in the world and takes place over six days.
From 9th of August, 1.8 million Muslims visited the holy city of Mecca.
Airbus mission critical facilitated monitoring of the event and communication between ground staff and control rooms.
Airbus solutions included slimline Th1n Tetra radio and Automatic Vehicle Location technology.
Information was sent to emergency personnel using STC Specialized network powered by Airbus Tetra solution.