TAWAL, Rakuten Symphony launch Saudi Arabia’s first shared indoor 5G network

TAWAL and Rakuten Symphony have deployed Saudi Arabia’s first multi-operator shared indoor network powered by Cloud RAN at KAUST in Jeddah. The pilot shows how a neutral host model could cut indoor network costs, speed rollout and support future 5G and AI services.

Why it matters: - The deployment gives Saudi Arabia a live example of shared indoor telecom infrastructure that multiple operators can use without building separate networks. - The model is designed to improve asset use, lower capital and operating costs, and make indoor connectivity easier to expand. - The platform is built to support future 5G Standalone, edge computing and AI-powered applications.

What happened: - TAWAL and Rakuten Symphony launched Saudi Arabia’s first multi-operator shared indoor network powered by Cloud RAN. - The network was deployed in an In-Building Solutions environment at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Jeddah. - The project was unveiled during LEAP 2026. - The deployment uses a Neutral Host model that lets multiple telecom operators share one in-building infrastructure while keeping operational independence. - The platform was integrated with the core network of a telecom service provider. - The team completed the first voice call over 5G NR and VoLTE on the system.

The details: - Rakuten Symphony’s AI-enabled, cloud-native Open RAN technology powers the platform. - The architecture is designed to be flexible and scalable for shared use across operators. - The network is intended to help reduce both capital spending and operating costs. - The deployment supports indoor coverage within a shared environment rather than separate operator-built systems. - TAWAL said the project advances shared digital infrastructure in the Kingdom and supports readiness for emerging technologies and changing indoor coverage regulations. - TAWAL said the integrated Neutral Host platform is meant to enable shared connectivity for multiple operators. - Rakuten Symphony said AI-driven cloud-native Open RAN can reduce infrastructure costs, improve sustainability and provide a base for AI-powered digital services. - TAWAL’s broader infrastructure portfolio includes more than 30,000 telecom towers across Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia and Pakistan. - TAWAL also provides smart poles, 5G- and IoT-ready infrastructure, In-Building Solutions, site-sharing solutions and other ICT infrastructure.

Between the lines: - The project is a practical test of whether neutral host indoor networks can become a standard model for denser, more efficient 5G coverage. - Saudi Arabia’s focus on shared infrastructure fits broader digital transformation goals under Saudi Vision 2030. - The emphasis on future 5G SA, edge and AI use suggests the partners are positioning the platform as a long-term foundation, not just a single-site deployment.

What's next: - TAWAL, Rakuten Symphony and project partners plan to keep expanding the Neutral Host model. - The companies are expected to support more efficient multi-operator indoor coverage solutions. - The platform is positioned to evolve alongside future technology and regulatory needs in the Kingdom.

The bottom line: - The launch is a notable step toward shared, lower-cost indoor telecom infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, with a path toward more advanced 5G and AI-enabled services.