Saudi ArabiaTechnology and telecom2024–2026stc group
AI network optimisation for Hajj peak traffic
stc said AI steering of its Hajj network cut latency 50% on Arafah Day 2026 as data traffic rose 42%
Problem
Mobile traffic around the Hajj sites jumps when over a million pilgrims gather in a few places. The operator had to hold call quality and speed during the peak days.
Approach
stc group used AI to watch the network in real time, fix faults automatically and move load between sites. For 2026 it named three functions: crowd-aware optimisation, predictive traffic steering and automated energy and capacity management. In the 2024 season its AI made over 10,000 automated adjustments an hour, according to the company. stc did not name a vendor.
Results
Takeaway
stc used AI to adjust network load as crowds gathered at Hajj sites. Its figures compare each year only with the previous Hajj season and have no independent verification.
Categories
- Size
- Large enterprise
- Industry
- Technology and telecom
- Business function
- Production and quality
- Innovation type
- Process innovation
- AI technology
- Predictive analytics and MLOptimization
- Adoption
- Built in-house
- Goal
- Quality and risk
- Evidence
- Company's own claim
Sources
Source summaries
Intelligent CIO Middle East reports stc's figures for Arafah Day 2026. Data traffic rose 42%, latency fell 50%, service-quality tickets fell 13% and availability was 99.9%. stc said AI handled over 99.9% of automated network decisions at peak hours. stc did not name a vendor.
Telecom Review reports on stc's 2025 Hajj preparations. It reports 35+ new 5G sites, 77 activated towers, a self-healing AI network that made over 10,000 automated adjustments an hour in 2024, speed gains of up to 30% and disruption impact cut by up to 60%. stc supplied all figures without specifying its measurement method.
Full details are in the original sources.
