JEDDAH – Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah, adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the Central Haj Committee, Wednesday launched the G5 service in Makkah and other holy sites. Besides other dignitaries, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Amer Al-Swaha was also in attendance, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The objective is to provide quality services to the pilgrims during the Haj season this year and the second stage of "Smart Haj" that aims to provide innovative services to the pilgrims via a number of applications (apps) and platforms that will provide quality digital services. Prince Khaled expressed happiness on launching this technological system. Such services contribute to facilitating the Haj journey for the Guests of Allah, he stressed. Minister of communications and information technology presented a detailed report on the ministry's preparations for the current Haj season, forefront of which is enhancing the network and the human and technological potentials to facilitate the gathering of the pilgrims in holy places. He gave a review of the operation plan for the communications and information technology sector, aside from the technical and technological preparations. Al-Swaha said Prince Khaled's launching of the G5 service in Makkah means setting up of 37 G5 stations distributed in the Central Area and the holy sites. The G5 network along with the G4 network will achieve the highest coverage and high speed, which will contribute to enriching the digital experience for the pilgrims. He said that this comes within the efforts being exerted by the communications and IT sector simultaneously with the efforts of all related government and private sectors, all with the objective of providing the best means and to facilitate for the pilgrims performing their rites. Al-Swaha said that there will be a virtual platform to train male and female pilgrims in performing their rites, apart from several apps that will benefit the pilgrims during their spiritual journey. In addition, there will be a voluntary training platform for the ambitious youth and those working in serving the pilgrims. — SPA
