Mobily and Ericsson have marked 20 years of supporting Hajj connectivity during the pilgrimage season in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the two companies expanded telecom network capacity and coverage in the Mashaer area for the Hajj 2026 season. This collaboration aims to provide a faster and more reliable mobile experience for millions of pilgrims.
Expanding Hajj Connectivity in Mashaer
As part of the network expansion, Mobily more than doubled its 5G capacity through additional sites in the Mashaer area. The operator utilized Ericsson Radio System solutions, including Massive MIMO radios, and activated new spectrum. Consequently, more pilgrims stayed connected at the same time, even in highly crowded locations where demand was highest.
Deploying Artificial Intelligence for Network Optimization
The collaboration scaled the deployment of artificial intelligence algorithms across the network. These tools included Uplink Interference Optimizer and Coverage Gap Mitigation algorithms. Notably, these capabilities were deployed with zero-touch, closed-loop automation to self-optimize the network in near real time.
This automated system proactively mitigated coverage gaps without the need for manual intervention. As a result, the network maintained stable performance during peak usage hours. The long-term partnership has supported Hajj connectivity through network planning and managed services.
Simulating User Journeys with Digital Tools
Furthermore, the partners introduced a co-created monitoring tool to check the end-user experience for voice calls and apps. This tool simulated user journeys and tested call quality in the background to detect issues early. Specifically, it identified slow applications, video quality challenges, or unclear voice calls before they affected users.
In addition, they deployed a GenAI Intelligent Assistant for operational intelligence. This assistant enabled operations teams to ask questions about network performance in simple language. Consequently, the team received clear responses based on customer complaints, roaming, capacity, and network performance data.
Future Outlook for Digital Infrastructure
“For 20 years, Mobily and Ericsson have worked together to support connectivity for pilgrims during Hajj season. As demand continues to grow, our focus remains on providing network performance and service quality that supported the needs of pilgrims in Makkah.”
Alaa Malki, Chief Technology Officer at Mobily
Håkan Cervell, Vice President and Head of Ericsson Saudi Arabia, added that Hajj is one of the most demanding connectivity environments in the world. He stated that the collaboration brought together 5G and automation to support network performance. Meanwhile, the companies continue to support the digital economy infrastructure in the Kingdom.
This ongoing partnership represents a significant step in managing Hajj connectivity during peak hours. Both companies plan to continue their collaboration to develop advanced communication technologies for future pilgrimage seasons.
