stc Group, the enabler of digital transformation in the region, completed its field preparations to contain potential emergencies, crises and disasters, to maintain the smooth continuity of providing communications services during the Hajj season 1444 AH, through an elaborate rapid response plan.
stc Group has invested in its infrastructure and equipment to enhance its network fault protection capabilities, making it one of the most prominent regional and international companies in this field. The equipment included simulation of sudden crisis scenarios such as the outbreak of fire, power outages, cyber attacks, network outages, human error, or natural disasters, God forbid, and facing those scenarios with exceptional efficiency and restoring work to normal in record time and in a timely manner. It does not affect network performance, especially with heavy investment in human, technical and logistical resources.
stc defined the framework of a potential crisis or disaster as a sudden event within a large geographical location that leads to the disruption of communication and data services for a large number of customers, and thus isolating the region from external communication. It also defined the concept of rapid response as the ability to respond immediately and recover from an unexpected event, the repercussions of which include the impact on operational processes. This involves building and activating effective response solutions, procedures and plans for critical technical infrastructure in a timely manner for rapid response.
As for the preparations of human and technical resources for rapid response in the Hajj season, stc has allocated more than 1,000 people in various fields, in addition to 50 additional technical teams for intervention in emergency situations. For rapid intervention in order to repair faults, along with securing spare parts and spare devices for exchanges, electronic cabinets, and mobile backup power generators. As for the management of telephone traffic, the plan took into account the provision of spare mobile mobile carts and mobile satellite connection carts (VSAT) so that they are ready for use in the event of any emergency.
The group’s control centers to monitor network indicators during the Hajj season also issue real-time reports on subscriber service indicators and standards to improve the customer’s experience in his voice and data communications to ensure highly efficient network performance around the clock. Operations of sensitive systems continue, with the ability to reactivate them in the event of a crisis or malfunction. In this context, stc’s strategy is fully compatible with the international standards for ISO 22301 accreditation.
stc’s interest in rapid response comes with the aim of preserving the excellence of user experience through the continuity of services and mitigating potential repercussions and damages, in addition to close adherence to national and international standards, and achieving operational sustainability of communication networks. There is also continuous coordination between the stc group and other government and private agencies to enhance the group’s capacity and ensure providing the best services to its subscribers
