SAUDI ARABIA, October 2025 — The Saudi Railway Company (SAR) and telecommunications leader Ericsson have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to modernise the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s rail operations using 5G and associated advanced communications technologies.

The partnership is part of SAR’s broader strategy to leverage digital infrastructure in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the national transport and logistics roadmap.

Under the agreement, Ericsson will bring its expertise in 5G and Future Railway Mobile Communication Systems (FRMCS) to support mission-critical communications for train staff and control systems, deliver high-speed broadband for passengers (enabling a “Gigabit train” experience), and apply IoT connectivity to improve operational efficiency.

Furthermore, the collaboration includes plans to establish a dedicated test laboratory or innovation centre for 5G rail applications, and to conduct trial deployments on SAR’s existing rail lines to evaluate real-world integration and performance. Training programmes will also be rolled out to up-skill SAR personnel in 5G and FRMCS technologies.

This initiative marks a forward-looking step in modernising rail infrastructure integrating cutting-edge mobile technology, enhancing passenger experience and operational reliability, and strengthening the Kingdom’s commitment to digital transformation in the transport sector.

By adopting 5G-enabled rail communications, SAR is positioning its network to meet evolving demands of modern logistics, mobility and connectivity, thus reinforcing its role in a rapidly transforming national transport ecosystem.

Source: The Times of India