STC Bahrain has implemented advanced indoor 5G solutions to enhance user experience in response to increasing demand for seamless indoor connectivity, especially in high-traffic venues like hotels and malls, Ookla said in its recent report.
STC focused on strategic deployment at sites such as The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain and City Centre Bahrain recognizing that network congestion in premium locations can lead to customer dissatisfaction and lost business. These venues cater to high-end clientele who expect flawless 5G service for activities like video conferencing, mobile payments, and augmented shopping.
STC had a capital expenditure (Capex) of $11.93 billion in 2024 for supporting the execution of strategic investment plans, achieving a Capex intensity of 15.7 percent during the year.
To meet these expectations, STC Bahrain partnered with Ookla, leveraging its Speedtest Intelligence and Cell Analytics platforms. This collaboration enabled a comprehensive, data-driven approach throughout the entire deployment process — from identifying weak coverage areas to validating network improvements.
STC Bahrain has tackled the challenge of poor indoor connectivity in high-traffic, premium venues by deploying a comprehensive, data-driven 5G solution in partnership with Ookla. Traditional methods struggle with signal penetration and complex building layouts, which are common in indoor environments like luxury hotels and shopping malls.
To address these challenges, stc Bahrain adopted a three-stage approach: planning, deployment, and validation — each guided by real-world data from Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence and Cell Analytics platforms.
In the planning phase, STC Bahrain used crowdsourced Speedtest data to pinpoint indoor areas with poor 5G coverage, avoiding reliance on outdated theoretical models or time-consuming walk tests. This allowed the operator to identify performance gaps in real-time, especially in high-value locations like The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain and City Centre Bahrain. A key insight revealed that many users with 5G-capable devices were still connecting to 4G due to weak indoor 5G signals, highlighting a significant opportunity to improve customer experience.
In the deployment phase, STC Bahrain implemented Huawei’s Digital Indoor System (DIS) solution. This compact, high-performance system was chosen for its ability to efficiently deliver robust 4G and 5G coverage in complex indoor settings, without major infrastructure overhauls.
Finally, the improvements were validated using the same Ookla tools, confirming substantial performance gains, including gigabit-level 5G download speeds. This strategic initiative not only enhanced service quality for premium users but also reinforced STC Bahrain’s competitive position by delivering measurable improvements where it mattered most.
STC Bahrain has significantly improved indoor 5G connectivity at premium venues like The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain and City Centre Bahrain by leveraging insights from Ookla’s analytics platforms. These targeted upgrades addressed previous coverage gaps, replacing spotty and inconsistent service with seamless, high-speed connections. The transformation is evident in Ookla’s performance metrics, which show gigabit-level 5G speeds now available in these locations.
Guests at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain benefit from enhanced services such as smooth video conferencing, high-definition streaming, and reliable IoT connectivity. At City Centre Bahrain, both shoppers and retailers enjoy fast, stable connections that support mobile payments, interactive retail experiences, and real-time social media sharing.
Beyond improving the customer experience at these flagship sites, STC Bahrain has also developed a scalable, data-driven model for future deployments. The company plans to expand this initiative to additional high-profile locations, including Marassi Mall, the Exhibition Center, The Avenues Mall, and other major hotels and retail centers.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
