Tokyo – October 11, 2026 -- NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS and stc group have launched an in-country IoT connectivity solution for Komatsu construction equipment in Saudi Arabia, a market that restricts long-term roaming and permanent services by foreign operators without a local telecom license.
Saudi rules bar unlicensed foreign operators from permanent connectivity
The regulatory constraint is the core issue. Saudi Arabia is classed as a country that restricts or prohibits long-term roaming or permanent telecommunications services by foreign operators lacking a domestic license. The solution is built to give Komatsu stable connectivity that meets those local requirements.
Komatsu's equipment operates across the Kingdom and feeds its Komtrax telematics and remote monitoring system. Komtrax wirelessly captures operational data from machines. Komatsu uses it for remote monitoring, data analytics and predictive maintenance, which give greater visibility into equipment utilization.
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS designs and delivers; stc group supplies local network
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS handles solution design and end-to-end delivery. stc group contributes local expertise, connectivity services and technology, including SIMs and its Connectivity Management Platform (CMP), to support deployment across the Kingdom.
The solution has three core capabilities:
- Regulatory-aligned connectivity: NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS sets up the contractual and operational framework for local telecom rules, while stc group provides the in-country connectivity services that comply with them.
- Network and CMP: stc group's network and CMP deliver scalable connectivity for telemetry data collection and management across broad coverage areas.
- End-to-end support: NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS supports design, implementation and operations. This helps Komatsu meet country-specific requirements while minimizing changes to its connectivity model.
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS ties rollout to Airlinq pact and new SIGN "Pro" plan
The solution is delivered under NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS's global IoT connectivity framework. That framework includes a strategic partnership with Airlinq Inc., agreed in February 2026, to enable IoT deployments in regulated markets.
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS plans to keep working with global IoT service providers and local telecom operators on compliant end-to-end IoT connectivity across countries and regions. On September 24, 2026, it launched "Pro", a new docomo business SIGN offering for large-scale global connected products. SIGN is a Network as a Service (NaaS) for IoT with built-in security features. The company said it will continue to support the global expansion of customers such as construction equipment and automotive manufacturers.