Latest news with #ZainKSA


Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Zain KSA completes preparations to welcome pilgrims for Hajj Season 1446H
Zain KSA, leading telecommunications and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia, has announced that all preparations are complete to welcome pilgrims for the Hajj season of 1446H. The company will offer integrated voice and data services, powered by an advanced digital ecosystem built on an AI-driven 5G network covering all holy sites. This will enable smart solutions that significantly enhance the quality of services. The advanced system will improve operational performance, reduce emergency response times, and boost real-time network management efficiency, providing pilgrims with an exceptional digital experience that enriches their journey. In line with its human-centric approach, Zain KSA is ramping up its on-the-ground presence in the holy sites this year. The company is deploying 57% additional field representatives this year to assist pilgrims and ensure they receive all the support they need. Women comprise 50% of the on-site team, demonstrating Zain KSA's commitment to diversity and inclusion and its dedication to empowering women and enhancing their roles in dynamic, fast-paced environments. As part of the preparations, Zain KSA has conducted comprehensive training programs for its team at the holy sites, focusing on technical skills, customer service, crisis management, and hands-on field training. The team is proficient in over 10 languages, including Urdu, French, English, Spanish, and Bahasa Indonesia, to swiftly address the diverse needs of pilgrims. The company has boosted its points of sale and 24/7 field booths by over 45% this year, making it easier for pilgrims to access communication and data services. Additionally, Zain KSA has strengthened its technical support teams at key locations to ensure prompt and efficient assistance. Zain KSA has elevated the digital experience for pilgrims by harnessing AI capabilities and state-of-the-art telecom infrastructure, including a cutting-edge 5G network. These enhancements ensure an unprecedented experience that complements pilgrims' spiritual and cultural journey.


Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Minister of Communications and Information Technology oversees Zain KSA's preparations for Hajj season 1446H
His Excellency, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha has followed up on Zain KSA's preparations for serving pilgrims during the Hajj season 1446H H.E. Minister Al-Swaha visited Zain KSA's headquarters in Mina alongside H.E. Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT) and Acting Governor of Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), in addition to several officials. The visit is part of ongoing efforts by the MCIT and relevant authorities to ensure the telecoms sector is fully prepared to support pilgrims, delivering a seamless and integrated digital experience throughout the Hajj season. During the visit, Zain KSA, leading telecommunications and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia, announced that it has completed its technical, human, and logistical preparations across Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, supported by a robust digital infrastructure built on its 5G network and AI technologies. The advanced system will improve connectivity, enable faster response times, and deliver integrated digital services for pilgrims. Zain KSA presented a comprehensive showcase of digital solutions built on cutting-edge technologies and smart innovations. These include smart vehicles for meal delivery, drone delivery service for medicines via SOS cards, and real-time data analytics tools to monitor crowd movement and enhance crowd management. Zain KSA also highlighted some of its preparedness measures. The company has ramped up its on-the-ground presence in the holy sites this year, deploying 57% additional field representatives, 50% of whom are women. It has also increased the number of its points of sale by 45%, facilitating faster access to its services. The presentation overviewed operational plans, risk management protocols, and workforce capabilities to ensure uninterrupted and highly efficient services throughout the Hajj season. These preparations align with Zain KSA's broader strategy to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Program in driving the digital transformation of Hajj services through a reliable, advanced telecoms infrastructure that enhances service quality and operational reliability.


Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Zain KSA to enhance Hajj experience with AI-driven 5G network covering holy sites
Zain KSA, leading telecom and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia, has announced that its AI-powered digital infrastructure is fully prepared for the Hajj season of 1446H. This makes Zain KSA the first operator to deploy a fully integrated AI 5G network across all the holy sites. The network will underpin exceptional digital experiences with improved service quality, enriching pilgrims' spiritual journey. This milestone reflects Zain KSA's strategic goals of delivering the best digital experience to its customers and promoting digital inclusion in line with its commitment to the nation and the broader religious community and supporting the Pilgrim Experience Program of Saudi Vision 2030. For the Hajj season, Zain KSA is leveraging an advanced digital ecosystem over a 5G network powered with AI technologies covering all the holy sites. It offers smart solutions that upgrade service quality, improve operational performance, enable rapid emergency response, and optimize real-time network management. These advancements elevate the pilgrims' experience by ensuring faster connections, smoother services, and accurate directions. Zain KSA is also utilizing 5G StandAlone and Carrier Aggregation technologies to provide pilgrims instant services, premium live streaming, and real-time crowd monitoring, for maximum efficiency and safety. Eng. Mohammad AlNujaidi, Chief Technology Officer at Zain KSA, stated: 'We are proud to be first-movers in investing to enhance the digital experience for pilgrims, as part of our commitment to our nation and the global religious community. Our ongoing focus is on refining our services and digital solutions, ensuring a seamless, integrated digital experience for pilgrims. This supports Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for innovation and digital communication, and as a destination for Muslims worldwide, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals. Today, we're emphasizing this commitment by harnessing AI capabilities to provide an exceptional digital experience, supported by state-of-the-art 5G infrastructure and a range of exclusive bundles tailored to meet the needs of pilgrims.' Zain KSA was the first telecom provider to fully cover the holy sites with 5G network across all its towers during the 1445H Hajj season. This was part of its broader plan to expand its 5G infrastructure and further develop its digital service ecosystem.


Zawya
11-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
'Yaqoot' by 'Zain KSA' first operator service enabling visitor SIM authentication via Absher
'Yaqoot' by Saudi Arabia's leading telecommunications and digital services provider 'Zain KSA' announced that visitors arriving in the Kingdom can now verify and register their mobile SIMs through the Ministry of Interior's digital platform Absher. The announcement serves Yaqoot's ongoing efforts to deliver the best digital experience to its customers. This service is available under the authentication section (WTHIQ) in the Absher app, making Yaqoot the first digital telecom service to offer such a solution in the Kingdom. All 'Yaqoot' customers arriving in Saudi Arabia—for tourism or to perform Hajj or Umrah—can now obtain either regular SIM cards or embedded eSIMs via the Yaqoot app and register them directly through Absher, without the need to visit a physical store. This marks a major enhancement in customer experience, allowing visitors to conduct identity verification and SIM activation online, rather than requiring in-person fingerprinting at telecom branches. Njoud AlShehri, Zain KSA Executive VP of Strategy and Innovation, stated: 'Our strategy at Zain KSA is centered on delivering the best human-centric digital experience that enhances the quality of life and elevates the visitor journey to the Kingdom, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Yaqoot exemplifies this human-focused innovation, built on a deep understanding of our customers' needs and the expectations of the Kingdom's visitors for a seamless and integrated digital experience. This makes Yaqoot a partner in enriching users' lives and empowering their aspirations. By collaborating with the Absher platform, Yaqoot enables the Kingdom's visitors to authenticate their SIMs through the Absher App's authentication services. This also demonstrates Yaqoot's digital maturity and its agility in adopting cutting-edge technologies as part of our commitment to a fully integrated digital experience.' Since its launch in 2018, Yaqoot has become one of the most innovative digital products in Saudi Arabia, leveraging Zain KSA's cutting-edge 5G network. It offers a range of digital packages through a dedicated app, allowing users to enjoy a reliable, end-to-end digital experience without needing biometric identifiers, documents, or paperwork. All procedures, from SIM ordering and activation to automatic monthly renewals, are completed digitally through the app. Yaqoot has received two MMA SMARTIES awards—Gold and Silver—for Best Innovative Marketing Campaigns in the Market Impact and Experience Technology categories. It also won the 'Most Innovative Product/Service' award at the 15th Telecom Review Summit.


Broadcast Pro
09-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Zain KSA appoints new Chairman and Vice Chairman
Mohammed Alkhudair has also been named Secretary of the Board of Directors. Zain KSA, a telecommunications and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia, has announced the appointment of new leadership for its Board of Directors following elections held at the Ordinary General Assembly on April 24, 2025. The newly elected Board, serving a four-year term, has named Eng. Abdullah bin Fahad Al-Fares as Chairman and Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi as Vice Chairman. Eng. Abdullah Al-Fares brings a wealth of experience in economic leadership and strategic transformation, with a strong background in both public and private sectors. Currently serving as Undersecretary for Strategy and Development at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Al-Fares has previously held senior roles, including Chief Strategy Officer at a company under the Public Investment Fund and Deputy Governor for Strategy at the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority. His academic background includes a Master's degree in Business Administration from Prince Sultan University and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from King Saud University. Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, the newly appointed Vice Chairman, is a well-established figure in the ICT industry across the Middle East and Africa. He currently serves as Vice-Chairman and Group CEO of Zain Group and holds positions on the boards of several regional and international companies across the financial and industrial sectors. Notably, he is also the Chairman of the Board at Boursa Kuwait. Al-Kharafi earned his MBA from the London Business School and holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kuwait University.