The digital divide persists. Remote, isolated areas especially face challenges, especially in least developed countries. Already battling poor connectivity, disruptions from flooding, sandstorms, and heatwaves can damage infrastructure, leading to widespread Internet and power outages, which disrupt communication, emergency services, and essential operations.

Adopting Space and air-borne networks

Saudi Arabia advocate a new generation of wireless networks to go beyond the current terrestrial-based systems. Adopting Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) consists of Space and air-borne communication networks including GEO, MEO, LEO satellite constellations, High Altitude Platform Systems, Low Altitude Platform Systems, and air-to-ground networks.

These evolving networks can connect the unconnected and are positioned to become an integral part of 6G wireless network. CST has launched an NTN Program to facilitate that roadmap.

With ITU, Saudi Arabia organizes the biannual “Connecting the World from the Skies” global forum to address technology, policy, and scientific perspectives on NTNs. The 2024 edition showcased groundbreaking achievements, such as the first Direct-to-Device technology demonstration in the Middle East and North Africa region.

CST has also enhanced the country’s regulatory framework to accommodate NTN technologies. In 2020, CST published National Spectrum Strategy 2025; in 2022, CST auctioned the first-of-its-kind frequency license in the 2100MHz band to support an array of NTN technologies. To share insights, CST produce technical and regulatory reports on the integration of NTNs into future communication networks.

Closing the digital divide requires multiple stakeholders. CST has twice sponsored a global NTN for 6G competition, with the Institute for Electronics and Electrical Engineers. The competition catalyzed over 80 innovative ideas from 125 universities and research institutes in over 30 countries – to address connectivity to remote areas, resilient networks for emergencies and disaster recovery, and more.