New Saudi resort to launch with a Zero-carbon 5G network later this year

The Middle East is renowned for its engineering marvels, and Saudi Arabia's Red Sea project is shaping into another iconic venture. Once finished, this hospitality hotspot will feature 50 resorts offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 residential homes across 22 islands and six inland locations. The allure isn't just the number of accommodations but the golf courses, marinas, dining, and leisure activities available for tourists and residents.

In today's world, an impeccable internet connection is essential for any top-tier project. Recognizing this, Red Sea Global, the firm spearheading the Red Sea project, has joined forces with Saudi telecommunications giant Zain KSA to ensure seamless connectivity.

What's ground-breaking about this collaboration? Ahmed Ali Alsohaily, the Group Head of Technology at Red Sea Global, unveiled plans for the world's premier zero-carbon 5G network powering the resort. "This innovative 5G connection doesn't just guarantee superior speeds for our guests; our entirely renewable energy grid backs it," he emphasized.

Located in one of the resort's inaugural hotels, Six Senses Southern Dunes, the 5G infrastructure was initiated and completed within six months during the last phases of the resort's construction. Ali Alsohaily proudly stated, "The swift implementation speaks to our dedication and agility. Moreover, our decision to stay off-grid and harness the sun's power daily and night reflects our commitment to sustainability. It has led us to build the world's most extensive battery-storage facility."

But establishing a sustainable 5G network was no walk in the park. Traditional 5G networks are notorious for consuming vast amounts of energy. However, a collaboration between Red Sea Global and Zain KSA resulted in an ingenious solution: deploying 760,000 photovoltaic solar panels as part of The Red Sea's renewable energy grid. This approach ensures steady connections across the resort and embodies an eco-conscious ethos.

The partners also innovatively tackled the issue of 5G's power requirements. "By closely working with service providers, we've curated a collaborative approach that considerably cuts down on the number of necessary antennas for the 5G setup," revealed Ali Alsohaily.

For Ali Alsohaily, the 5G initiative perfectly aligns with the resort's dual vision. "Today's travelers aren't merely content with experiencing; they're eager to share. Our network empowers them to do so," he remarked. He noted, "The current generation of travelers is discerning and eco-conscious. Here at The Red Sea, we assure them that their stay contributes to environmental rejuvenation and upliftment of local communities."