stc group and Huawei have completed the first commercial deployment of a new multi-band multi-beam microwave solution in Saudi Arabia. This technology aims to address the growing data traffic demands driven by the rapid expansion of 5G networks across the Kingdom. Consequently, the deployment helps manage the increasing base-station density in urban and rural areas.
Deployment of the microwave solution
The newly deployed hardware covers eight frequency bands ranging from 13 GHz to 38 GHz. Notably, a single antenna supports up to 10 concurrent beams, which reduces the total antenna count on towers by up to 90%. This reduction helps operators save physical space on towers, eases load constraints, and lowers rental expenditures. As a result, the infrastructure becomes more efficient to manage.
The deployment directly addresses the challenges of base-station density in highly populated areas. By using this technology, stc group can connect sites in multiple directions without increasing physical site complexity. Consequently, the system optimizes the total cost of ownership for network infrastructure. This is particularly useful for expanding telecommunications networks in rapidly growing cities.
Technical Specifications and Bands
The system operates across multiple specific frequency bands to ensure maximum flexibility. These bands include 13 GHz, 15 GHz, 18 GHz, 23 GHz, 26 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz, and 38 GHz. By operating across these eight bands, the antenna provides greater operational flexibility than conventional hardware. Furthermore, the system allows operators to scale capacity on demand.
Operational Efficiency and Speed
During the initial phase, the commercial project using this microwave solution was deployed with three transmission directions. While the first link required standard setup time, the second and third links were completed in 20 minutes each. In comparison, conventional installations typically require three hours per link. Therefore, the new process significantly reduces installation and alignment work for field technicians.
The transmission links maintained stable operations under harsh environmental conditions during testing. Specifically, the equipment operated continuously in temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius and during periods of strong winds. If the site requires more capacity in the future, operators can activate up to 10 directions without installing extra antennas. This capability makes the hardware highly suitable for dense 5G sites.
Network Expansion and Future Outlook
This project represents a continuation of the technical cooperation between stc group and Huawei to implement the microwave solution. Both entities are working to upgrade the national infrastructure to support digital services. The deployment aligns with ongoing efforts to expand high-speed connectivity across various regions. Meanwhile, both companies plan to accelerate network upgrades to support future digital service innovation.
