- Business
- Saudi Telecom Company (stc) operates as a leading telecommunications and digital services provider primarily in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, stc offers a comprehensive portfolio including fixed-line and mobile voice services, broadband internet, wholesale and enterprise telecommunications solutions, digital services, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, cloud services, and smart home technologies. The company also provides satellite-based telecom services through strategic partnerships, enabling advanced connectivity solutions. Its subsidiaries span over 13 countries, supporting diverse market segments such as individual consumers, businesses, government entities, and digital transformation clients.
Recent strategic developments include acquiring a 9.9% stake in Spanish telecommunications operator Telefónica, valued at approximately €2.1 billion, to strengthen its global footprint and technological collaboration. stc also completed the acquisition of telecommunications tower assets from the Netherlands-based United Group for €1.22 billion, enhancing its infrastructure capacity. Within the last two years, stc has expanded 5G network coverage to over 9,500 sites in Saudi Arabia and activated low-frequency spectrum bands (600 MHz – N71), becoming the first regional operator to fully deploy 5G standalone technology. This advancement facilitates ultra-high broadband, low latency, and network slicing capabilities for critical sectors. Additionally, stc signed strategic partnerships with companies like Singtel Group for digital platform integration, human capability development, IoT solutions, and subsea cable expansion, and with AST SpaceMobile for satellite services, broadening its service offerings and technological leadership.
stc targets telecom consumers, enterprises, and government sectors, driving Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation agenda aligned with Vision 2030. The company delivers mobile internet packages, voice plans, cloud computing, data center services, and advanced telecommunications infrastructure for broadband, 5G, IoT, smart city projects, and enterprise digitalization. In 2025, stc reported solid financial performance with net profits rising significantly, underscoring its market leadership and strategic execution in telecom and digital services. The group's operating profit and EBITDA show consistent growth fueled by expanding revenue streams from digital platforms and infrastructure investments.
Overall, stc is positioned as a comprehensive telecom and digital solutions leader, leveraging its extensive geographic presence, advanced technology deployments, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships to foster innovation and connectivity across multiple regions and sectors.