14 May 2012
Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud announced the signing of the agreement with Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to provide Telecom Infrastructure for Kingdom Riyadh Land. The project includes a smart fiber-optic network to provide the project with an integrated information technology solution for all communications and services.

The agreement is the foundation for establishing a smart city based on information and communication technology with a goal to provide outstanding level of services in the region. The infrastructure will be developed according to the highest international standards, including interactive e-services for all project elements such as safety and security, road traffic, monitoring facilities and other services. The signing took place in the presence of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Eng Saud bin Majed Al Daweesh -- CEO STC Group.
Eng Talal Almaiman, Executive Director for Development and Domestic Investments, KHC and Jameel Abdullah Al Molhem - CEO of KSA Operations signed the agreement at KHC's office in Riyadh.

Prince Alwaleed commented: "This significant strategic alliance between Kingdom Holding and Saudi Telecom is a beginning of a long term relationship with STC's extensive experience in this filed we are confident it will add value to the development of Kingdom's smart city at a high level of telecommunications standards."

Eng Almaiman commented: "We at Kingdom Holding understand that the world is rapidly changing and we recognize the importance of lifestyle quality; therefore, our vision and objective is to exceed all expectations in light of our global experience STC was selected based on their well-known extensive experience and capability in the telecommunication filed."

Eng Al Daweesh commented: "We at STC are keen to partner with Kingdom Holding in light of its success with local mega projects and presence globally. This is in line with our belief to work closely with globally experienced companies to build smart cities given our extensive capabilities in this sector."

In February 2011, KHC announced that Omrania were awarded the design of the master plan design and infrastructure of "Kingdom Riyadh Land" that is 16M sqm. Also the contract includes provisional sums for Traffic and Environmental studies. As part of their service Omrania's Contract includes the coordination and approval of all master planning elements, engaging and managing the traffic impact study and environmental impact assessment sub-consultants and other studies required to complement and complete the Master Plan in the role of the local master planner, including all liaison with local authorities. In addition Omrania will be carrying out the supervision of the infrastructure work on site. Moreover, Hart Howerton (HH) were awarded the design of the master plan for 3.8M sqm in Kingdom Oasis Land. The contract includes concept landscape architecture and coloured renderings. As part of their scope of work, HH will produce preliminary concept architecture studies for the Hotel, Gentleman's Retreat, Women's Spa, and Branded Villas of which one scheme will be further developed into the concept refinement stage to address the concept details. The preliminary master plan was submitted to Riyadh Municipality and their comments have been addressed by HH.

© Arab Times 2012