stc Group
Saudi Arabia's leading telecommunications and digital-services group, operating mobile, fixed-line, broadband, cloud, fintech, cybersecurity, entertainment, and digital-infrastructure businesses.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
stc Group, legally Saudi Telecom Company, is a Saudi telecommunications and information-and-communications-technology group headquartered in Riyadh. It is the principal telecommunications operator in Saudi Arabia and has expanded from a state-owned fixed-line and mobile carrier into a diversified digital-services conglomerate. Its activities include mobile communications, fixed-line networks, broadband, enterprise connectivity, cloud computing, data centers, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, Internet of Things services, digital entertainment, gaming, online payments, and fintech. The company was created in 1998 through the separation and corporatization of telecommunications assets previously operated by the Saudi government. It began providing telecommunications services nationwide in May 1998 and later became publicly listed following an initial public offering completed in January 2003. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia remains its controlling shareholder and has used the group as one of the country’s major platforms for developing digital infrastructure and technology capabilities. The stc brand has been used across an increasingly broad regional portfolio. In 2019, the group introduced a new corporate identity and rebranded its Bahrain and Kuwait operations from VIVA to stc Bahrain and stc Kuwait. Its operating businesses include Al-Jawal mobile services, Al-Hatif fixed-line services, Solutions by stc for enterprise connectivity and information technology, and stc Bank, the digital-finance business formerly known as stc Pay. The group also operates or supports consumer platforms such as stc TV and stc Play. Beyond connectivity, stc has built a portfolio of infrastructure and investment businesses. TAWAL operates telecommunications towers and expanded into Pakistan and Europe. Center3 was established to develop digital infrastructure assets, including data centers and related facilities. The group has also invested in cloud services, startup acceleration, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, gaming, blockchain, and IoT through initiatives such as InspireU, STV, and its corporate investment fund. stc's network modernization includes the deployment of 5G and, in 2021, the replacement of its 3G networks with 5G in Saudi Arabia. The company also invests in optical transmission, broadband, cloud, and data-center capacity. Its international strategy includes holdings and partnerships beyond its core Saudi market, including the acquisition of a significant stake in Telefónica in 2023. Through a combination of telecommunications, infrastructure, technology, and financial services, stc positions itself as a digital-enablement group rather than only a mobile network operator.
History
Saudi Telecom Company was established as a Saudi joint-stock company on 21 April 1998 after the government separated telecommunications activities from the Directorate of Post, Telephone and Telegraph. It began operating telecommunications services across Saudi Arabia on 2 May 1998. The company received its commercial registration in June 1998 and initially operated as a wholly government-owned enterprise. The next major stage was commercialization and public ownership. stc completed its initial public offering in January 2003, creating a listed national telecommunications champion while retaining substantial state influence. In 2006, the company approved a capital increase funded through a transfer from retained earnings. Over time, it expanded beyond traditional fixed-line and mobile services into broadband, enterprise networking, managed ICT, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. The group’s diversification accelerated during the late 2010s. Saudi Digital Payments Company launched stc Pay in 2017, with formal operations beginning in 2018. The group also introduced InspireU, a business accelerator for digital startups, and helped establish STV, an investment fund focused on communications and information-technology companies. These initiatives reflected a broader strategy of supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital economy rather than relying exclusively on connectivity revenues. In December 2019, the company adopted a new group identity centered on the stc brand. The VIVA businesses in Bahrain and Kuwait were renamed stc Bahrain and stc Kuwait. stc Pay obtained an electronic-money institution license in 2020, and Saudi regulators approved its conversion into a digital bank in 2021. During the same period, stc modernized its Saudi network and reported replacing its 3G networks with 5G in October 2021. Infrastructure investment became another central pillar. In 2021, the group launched data centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina. Its tower subsidiary TAWAL acquired AWAL Telecom in Pakistan in 2022 and renamed the business TAWAL Pakistan. stc also collaborated with Alibaba on Alibaba Cloud services, established Center3 as a digital-infrastructure assets company, and continued developing optical networks and data-center capacity. The group expanded its technology and strategic-investment agenda in 2023. It launched a corporate investment fund targeting areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital gaming, IoT, and blockchain. It also deepened partnerships with Microsoft and other technology companies, worked with GO Telecom on IoT services, and continued supporting the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix through digital infrastructure. TAWAL began European operations, while stc acquired a 9.9% stake in Telefónica. These moves positioned stc as a regional technology and infrastructure investor as well as a telecommunications operator.
- 2023
Stake acquired in Telefónica
[1]stc announced the acquisition of a 9.9% stake in Telefónica.
- 2022
TAWAL expands into Pakistan
[1]TAWAL acquired AWAL Telecom and rebranded the Pakistani tower business TAWAL Pakistan.
- 2022
Center3 is established
[1]stc created Center3 to manage and develop digital-infrastructure assets.
- 2021
5G network transition
[1]The group reported replacing its Saudi 3G networks with 5G.
- 2019
Group-wide stc rebrand
[1]The company introduced a new identity and extended the stc name to its Bahrain and Kuwait businesses.
- 2017
InspireU accelerator launches
[1]stc launched InspireU to support digital startups and technology projects.
- 2017
stc Pay is launched
[1]Saudi Digital Payments Company launched the stc Pay digital-wallet business.
- 2003
Initial public offering
[1]The company completed its IPO and became listed on the Saudi stock market.
- 1998
Saudi Telecom Company is established
[1]The company was created as a Saudi joint-stock company through the separation and corporatization of government telecommunications operations.
- 1998
Nationwide telecommunications operations begin
[1]stc began providing telecommunications services throughout Saudi Arabia on 2 May 1998.
Products and positioning
A market-leading Saudi telecommunications operator evolving into an integrated regional digital-infrastructure, ICT, fintech, and consumer-technology group.
Mobile telecommunications
Al-Jawal
stc's mobile-network business provides cellular voice, messaging, mobile data, and related consumer connectivity services. Its network portfolio includes 5G services and represents the group's core consumer telecommunications operation in Saudi Arabia.
Fixed-line telecommunications
Al-Hatif
Al-Hatif represents the group's fixed-line telecommunications activities, including landline connectivity and the underlying fixed network infrastructure serving residential and business customers.
Enterprise ICT
Solutions by stc
Solutions by stc serves enterprises and public-sector organizations with connectivity, managed information technology, cloud, cybersecurity, data, and digital-transformation services. It extends the group from retail telecommunications into higher-value business technology solutions.
Digital banking and payments · 2017
stc Bank
stc Bank developed from the stc Pay digital-wallet and payments business. It provides digital financial services under Saudi regulatory oversight and forms a major part of the group's fintech diversification.
Telecommunications infrastructure
TAWAL
TAWAL owns and operates passive telecommunications infrastructure, particularly mobile towers. The business has expanded beyond Saudi Arabia through its acquisition in Pakistan and subsequent European operations.
Digital entertainment
stc TV
stc TV is the group's digital-entertainment and streaming platform, offering online video and entertainment content to consumers through the stc ecosystem.
Gaming and esports
stc Play
stc Play is a gaming and esports platform that supports gaming participation, tournaments, and related digital experiences. It reflects the group's attempt to build consumer platforms beyond traditional communications.
Digital infrastructure · 2022
Center3
Center3 is an stc-owned digital-infrastructure company established to develop and manage assets such as data centers and related connectivity infrastructure.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix digital-infrastructure partnership
Saudi Arabia
The group again supplied digital infrastructure for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as part of its technology and connectivity positioning.
Outcome. The 2023 event marked the third consecutive year of the partnership.
- 2021Saudi Arabian Grand Prix partnership
Saudi Arabia
stc provided digital infrastructure for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, beginning a recurring association with the event that continued for a third consecutive year by 2023.
Outcome. The partnership continued for a third consecutive year by 2023.
- 2019stc Group identity and regional rebrand
Saudi Arabia · Bahrain · Kuwait
stc introduced a new group identity and replaced the VIVA names in Bahrain and Kuwait with stc Bahrain and stc Kuwait.
Outcome. The rebrand unified the group's regional consumer telecommunications businesses under the stc identity.
Brand decisions
2023
Investment in TelefónicaM&ABackground
stc continued its strategy of international expansion and strategic investment in major telecommunications assets.
Action taken
The group acquired a 9.9% stake in Telefónica.
Aftermath
The investment made stc Telefónica's largest shareholder at the time of the announcement and increased the group's international profile.
Transaction value. €2.1 billion (2023 announcement)
2023
Corporate investment fund launchStrategyBackground
stc sought exposure to emerging technologies and early-stage companies adjacent to its connectivity and digital-infrastructure businesses.
Action taken
The group launched a corporate investment fund focused on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, gaming, IoT, and blockchain.
Aftermath
The fund broadened stc's role as a technology investor and ecosystem builder.
2022
TAWAL acquisition of AWAL TelecomM&ABackground
TAWAL pursued international growth in passive telecommunications infrastructure.
Action taken
TAWAL acquired Pakistani tower provider AWAL Telecom and renamed it TAWAL Pakistan.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded stc's tower portfolio into Pakistan.
2021
Conversion of stc Pay into a digital bankStrategyBackground
The group sought to expand its regulated financial-services business beyond digital-wallet and payment functions.
Action taken
Saudi Arabia's central bank approved the conversion of Saudi Digital Payments Company into a digital bank.
Aftermath
The decision strengthened fintech as a strategic pillar of the wider stc Group.
2021
Migration from 3G to 5GGeneration changeBackground
The company continued modernizing its Saudi mobile network and increasing the role of next-generation connectivity.
Action taken
stc reported replacing its 3G networks with 5G in October 2021.
Aftermath
The transition supported the group's positioning around advanced mobile connectivity and digital services.
Recent events
- 2023
stc Group acquires a 9.9% stake in Telefónica[1]
M&A
stc Group acquired a 9.9% interest in Telefónica, making it the Spanish telecommunications company's largest shareholder at the time of the announcement.
- 2023
TAWAL begins European operations[1]
Other
TAWAL formally began operations in Europe as part of stc Group's international digital-infrastructure expansion.
- 2023
stc provides digital infrastructure for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix[1]
Campaign
The group provided digital infrastructure for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for the third consecutive year.
- 2022
TAWAL acquires AWAL Telecom in Pakistan[1]
M&A
stc subsidiary TAWAL acquired Pakistani passive telecommunications-tower provider AWAL Telecom, which was subsequently rebranded TAWAL Pakistan.
- 2022
stc and Alibaba launch Alibaba Cloud services[1]
Product launch · Other
The group collaborated with Alibaba to launch Alibaba Cloud services in the region.
- 2022
stc launches Center3 digital-infrastructure company[1]
Product launch
Center3 was established as a digital-infrastructure business owned by stc Group.
- 2021
Public Investment Fund conducts secondary share offering in stc[1]
Other
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund sold 120 million stc shares through a secondary offering.
- 2021
Saudi Arabia approves conversion of stc Pay into a digital bank[1]
Regulation
The Saudi central bank approved the conversion of Saudi Digital Payments Company into a digital bank.
- 2021
stc completes replacement of 3G networks with 5G[1]
Product generation
The group reported replacing its 3G networks with 5G in Saudi Arabia.
- 2020
stc Pay receives electronic-money institution authorization[1]
Regulation
stc Pay obtained an electronic-money institution license, supporting its development as a regulated digital-payments business.
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