Saudi oil giant Aramco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GCT Semiconductor Holding, a leading designer and supplier of advanced 5G and 4G semiconductor solutions.
Although full details remain to be revealed, the collaboration aims to design and co-develop chipsets and modules tailored for LTE, 5G and the non-terrestrial network (NTN) spectrum in order to support the localisation of wireless end-user devices and IoT manufacturing throughout the Kingdom.
This agreement, say the partners, sets the stage for a strategic collaboration that would further develop the 4G/5G ecosystem in Saudi Arabia for both mission-critical and public safety networks.
Aramco is one of the largest companies in the world based on market capitalisation. It created Aramco Digital in early 2023 as part of a move to diversify its operations and foster new technologies.
John Schlaefer, CEO of GCT Semiconductor, says: "We look forward to working with Aramco and leveraging our advanced 4G and 5G capabilities with future-focused AI-driven modem features to help develop the local ecosystem and provide reliable and fast communication for their key applications in Saudi Arabia and the broader region."
He adds that GCT Semiconductor plans to help further develop the 4G/5G ecosystem in the kingdom.
This deal is not the only IoT-related agreement involving Aramco this year. In February Aramco signed an MoU with TWTG, a pioneer in Industrial Internet of Things (I-IoT) solutions.
