Saudi Vision 2030 sets out an ambitious agenda for transformation of KSA society & economy based on modernisation & introduction of new technologies. Critical communications must be the base of this transformation

1. Past, present & future
of critical communications
in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Peter Clemons
Founder & Managing Director, Quixoticity Ltd
CCMENA 2016
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai
November 7th, 201607/11/2016
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2. The Kingdom: Key Facts
• The King is the Custodian of the 2 Holy Mosques in Mecca & Medina
• In 2016, almost 2 million pilgrims took part in annual Hajj – capacity for 8m.
• Oil-based economy with strong Government control over economic activity
• 18% of world’s proven petroleum reserves – 97% export earnings from petroleum
• 32 million pop. (up from 9m. in 1979)
• Saudi Aramco – declared world’s largest company in 2005
• Saudi Telecom (STC) – largest telco in Middle East

3. The kingdom in pictures
Abha Dammam Jeddah
Khobar
Mecca Medina
Riyadh
Taif Yanbu

4. Saudi Vision 2030
• Integrated plan for future of KSA presented in April 2016 by Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Chairman, Council of
Economic & Development Affairs (CEDA)
• Saudi Arabia:
– Heart of the Islamic & Arabic Worlds
– Investment Powerhouse
– Hub connecting three continents
– A vibrant society; A thriving economy; An ambitious nation
• Executive programmes:
– Saudi Aramco Strategic Transformation Programme
– Public Investment Fund Restructuring Programme
– Human Capital Programme
– National Transformation Programme
– Strategic Partnerships Programme
– Privatisation Programme
– Programme for Strengthening Public Sector Governance
KAEC
KAUST

5. Critical comms overview
The Saudi Arabian
National Guard
maintains a
command structure
and communication
network separate
from the Ministry of
Defense
National Guard
Special Security
Forces, Border
Guard, Coast Guard
and others report to
Ministry of Interior
and maintain a
separate network
from MoD
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defense
maintains a network
that is separate from
the Ministry of
Interior and the
Ministry of National
Guard
Ministry of Defense
The Saudi Arabian
Royal Guard
Regiment maintains
a separate
communications
network from the
regular Army
Royal Guard
Regiment
GACA deployed
TETRA networks in
commercial airports
to coordinate ground
operations and
ensure public safety
of staff and
passengers
General Authority of
Civil Aviation
Isolated Mission Critical TETRA Networks in KSA
Need for Unified Network…
Nov 13, 2016
Source: Strategy& analysis
In case of emergencies, public safety stakeholders will struggle to coordinate ground responses

6. Rising threats
• Tackling terrorism remains a high priority in KSA & across
the world
• Rise of technology, social media, copycat attacks, greater
sophistication of attack vectors
• Cybersecurity – critical national infrastructure
• Increased value of organisational data – data protection
• Communications cannot fail!
• Unfortunately there is a long catalogue of failure in
communications systems during major incidents
• It is hard to classify such systems as mission-critical when
public safety is at stake

7. The global picture
for critical communications
• International benchmarking
• Which model is best/feasible?:
• Government v private enterprise own/operate
• Silo v shared (VPNs/multi-sector) Open v closed
• Dedicated spectrum; Dedicated network
• Commercial MVNO
• Hybrid networks/ICT convergence
• 3GPP Releases 12, 13, 14… (5G-Ready)
• Technology maturity
• Cooperation/knowledge transfer
• Applications
• Geography, Culture
• Security/Privacy/Coverage
• Cellular/Tactical/Satellite
• Relationship with networked society

8. Global standards
• Standards are now obligatory for operators & users
• Beware of pre-standards that smell like proprietary solutions
• TETRA is here to stay for many years to come:
– Mature, efficient solution for MCVoice & Short Data
– Available, reliable, resilient
– Ease of integration with other ICT systems
• Mission-Critical LTE standards now maturing (3GPP SA6):
– Release 12 (2014 > 2016): 1st
MC Release: Group Call Enablers (GCSE); Proximity Services (ProSe)
– Release 13 (2016 > 2017/18): Near complete suite of MCPTT features
– Release 14 (2017 > 2019): MCData + MCVideo + MCCoRe
– Release 15: (2018 > 2020): Interworking TETRA-LTE? Full MC-LTE completed? TETRA > 5G
– 5G: (2016 > 2020s): NR starts with R15; evolution from LTE solution (eLTE); network slices/verticals/ mission-
critical

9. KSA Spectrum issues
• All mobile broadband plans start with spectrum availability
• Preferred short-term availability:
• TETRA in 400 MHz bands (380-400 MHz – Region 1)
• LTE – Bands 20, 28, 3, 68 etc. (700/800, 1800, 2.3/2.6 GHz for capacity)
• KSA 800 MHz band not aligned with rest of ME region
• CITC regulates spectrum, but Ministries (i.e. MoI, MoD) still control significant
parts of key frequency bands
• Mission-critical communications is a fundamental public service that generates
massive social value & does not focus exclusively on economic return/gain
Country Allocations
1 Qatar LTE Band 20 (791-821MHz for DL, 832-862MHz for UL)
2 Oman LTE Band 20 (791-821MHz for DL, 832-862MHz for UL)
3 UAE(*) LTE Band 20 (791-821MHz for DL, 832-862MHz for UL)
4 Yemen No national allocation of the band
5 Jordan No national allocation of the band
6 Iraq LTE Band 20 (791-821MHz for DL, 832-862MHz for UL)
7 Kuwait LTE Band 20 (791-821MHz for DL, 832-862MHz for UL)

10. Current security environment
Nov 13, 2016
• Defend borders security
and nation interests in
neighboring conflicts
• Ensure security of Holy
City of Makkah and
safety of pilgrims with
coordinated operations of
first responders in case of
stampede events
• Prevent terrorism
threats, immigrations
and smuggling activities
on borders
• Protect Oil & Gas
platforms from
hazardous events (e.g.
fire) and security threatsYEMEN
Aseer
Makkah
OMAN
UAE
BAHRAIN
IRAQ
JORDAN
Najran
Empty
Quarter
Northern
Borders
Tabouk
Source: Strategy& analysis
Hajj Season
Border Control and
National Security
Oil & Gas Platforms
Tactical Military
Capabilities

11. Growing user requirements
• Key User Groups: Public safety & emergency services; other Government;
Transport; Oil & Gas; business-critical
• Increase use of data & video
• Need for situational awareness
• Next-generation control rooms (mobility/security)
• Driverless/Autonomous Vehicles/Trains
• Monitoring of personnel
• Body-Worn Video for Evidence Gathering
• Drones, robotics – remote access; O&M; safety
• Sensors; IoT > Safe Cities > Fully-Integrated Wide-Area Systems
• Big data; analytics; predictive policing
• VR/AR; Wearables; Artificial intelligence; Next-generation MMIs
• Who can guess what comes next?

12. Best mission-critical model for KSA?
• Hybrid model based on global standards – TETRA + 3GPP LTE+
• Long-term goal: nationwide mission-critical broadband network
• Short-term goal: Key customers require TETRA
• Keep CAPEX under control – build one dedicated network with dedicated
spectrum for all mission-critical users
• Network built with mission-critical in mind from Day 1
• Synergies with nationwide commercial LTE operator where advisable
• Strong focus on mission-critical organisations, but also critical users from other
segments who require mission-critical
• Wide-area cellular-based network, but also tactical & satellite capacity taking into
account KSA’s unique geography
• Strong focus on user requirements; user testing of network; user applications
• Close cooperation/partnership with suppliers & users
• Manage customer expectations during network roll-out
• Return on investment focuses on the long-term with huge social value
• Saudi Vision 2030 – Government/stakeholder buy-in to fulfil the vision

13. Critical comms best practice
Consolidated Mission Critical Network – TETRA + Mission-Critical LTE (3GPP R13 +)
Nov 13, 2016
Source: Strategy& analysis
One Nationwide
Mission Critical Network
National Guard
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defense
Royal Guard Regiment
In case of emergencies, a
ground response can be
efficiently coordinated
thanks to a consolidated
mission critical network
connecting all national
security, public safety and
business critical
stakeholders
In line with Saudi Vision 2030, CEDA Optimization (LABs Delivery Program) and
MoEP Privatization (Private Sector Partnership Program) Efforts in KSA
GACA

14. The future?
• Consolidated TETRA capabilities across KSA
• Nationwide mission-critical LTE network
• Single, specialised mission-critical operator across KSA
• Long-term focus on 3GPP evolution towards 5G & beyond
• Network functions virtualisation (NFV) & Software-defined networks (SDN)
• Next-generation, secure-by-design, multi-tier Internet (RINA or other)
• Evolution of working practices/greater automation/greater receptivity/faster response times/better
levels of service across society
• New business/operational models
• Global standards allow MC operator to implement new features & applications as they become available
• Saudi Vision 2030 drives future development of public safety, society & economy in KSA

15. Aiming high….

16. …with security in mind

17. 11/13/16 17
For more in-depth analysis &
commentary on the critical
communications landscape, please
contact:
Peter Clemons
Founder & Managing Director,
Quixoticity Ltd.
+44-7951-289934
peter@quixoticity.com
Skype: peterclemons
LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/
peter-clemons-041845