Airbus and STC Specialized provide reliable secure communications for the Hajj in Mecca

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chooses Airbus and STC Specialized to secure millions of pilgrims during Muslim gathering with state-of-the-art mission critical technology.

United Arab Emirates – 18 August 2019:   Airbus, a leading provider of secure communication and collaboration solutions, provides mission critical communications technology to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage. 

Airbus has been a trusted supplier of secure communication solutions for the Hajj pilgrimage every year since 2017. With the implementation of its systems to ensure faster emergency response for public safety, and use of its state-of-the-art technology, Airbus and STC Specialized ensured the smooth running of security operations which safeguard millions of visitors each year. 

Various security organisations benefited from Airbus’ trusted solutions which include the slimline Th1n Tetra radio and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology. These inform dispatchers of each mobile units’ location, status, and active Tetra talk groups. The information is then sent to all the relevant emergency personnel using the STC Specialized network powered by Airbus’ Tetra solution; such as, the Ministry of Hajj, the Ministry of Health, and Mecca Municipality. 

Airbus’ mission critical solutions facilitated the monitoring of this major event, as well as the communication between ground staff and the control rooms, enabling them to immediately address any on-site emergency while benefitting from the stability, continuity, and reliability of Airbus technology when, and where it is needed the most.

“Critical communications technology is a key enabler in widening the scope of emergency response mechanisms and implementing quality and performance standards in order to improve operational efficiency, and increase system-wide coordination in all emergency situations -and especially during critical events, such as the Hajj”. declared Olivier Koczan, CEO of Secure Land Communications at Airbus.  “Airbus is honoured to be considered the partner of choice in providing resilient communications technology infrastructures; enabling the smooth running of the Muslim pilgrimage in the vicinity of Mecca.” Koczan adds. 

The Hajj is the largest Muslim gathering in the world and takes place every year over a period of six days. This year, from the 9th of August onwards, 1.8 million Muslims visited the holy city of Mecca.