ERICSSON and STC Solutions (STCS), a subsidiary of Saudi Telecom Company, have signed a sales channel partnership agreement to allow STCS to resell Ericsson hardware, software, post-warranty, and training across networks, digital services, managed services, emerging business & technology business units to end users — including STC subsidiaries such as VIVA Kuwait and VIVA Bahrain. The announcement was made during the MWC 2019 in Barcelona.

STCS, the products and services development arm of STC for its enterprise business, has cemented its position as a leader in Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector for enabling digital transformation to support government and private sector goals.

“The aim of our cooperation with Ericsson is to create significant value for Saudi society, businesses and people — and ensure that both consumer and industrial markets enjoy next-generation ICT applications and pioneering 5G services in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” said Jehad Al-Twairki, vice president of business solutions at STCS.

Ericsson and STCS together with Saudi Telecom Company have collaborated to develop digital infrastructure to capture value from new 5G use cases and widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), which forms an important milestone for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Rafiah Ibrahim, head of Ericsson Middle East and Africa said: “Leveraging on our strong relationship with Saudi Telecom Company, this partnership agreement focuses on identifying key networks, digital services and IoT use cases. The result would be faster time-to-market for new service offerings and better customer engagement.”

In addition, a digital transformation market strategy will focus on health, transportation, education, security, defense and banking services, whilst a marketing and sales strategy will address the vertical market demands within Saudi Arabia and the region for more 5G and IoT use cases. — SG