Riyadh — October 31, 2025:
In a landmark move for regional telecommunications, stc group and AST SpaceMobile have announced a 10-year commercial agreement to bring space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard smartphones across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Expanding Connectivity Beyond Boundaries
Under the agreement, stc has committed a $175 million prepayment for future services and a long-term revenue commitment to enable the rollout of direct-to-device satellite broadband. The collaboration will integrate AST SpaceMobile’s space-based network with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure, extending 5G and 4G LTE services to remote and underserved areas — without requiring specialized software or hardware.
The initiative aims to eliminate connectivity gaps and provide reliable, high-speed broadband access to individuals, enterprises, and government entities, strengthening digital inclusion and economic growth across the region.
Building Space-Enabled Infrastructure
As part of the partnership, AST SpaceMobile will construct three ground gateways in Saudi Arabia and establish a Network Operations Center (NOC) in Riyadh to manage operations and service quality. These facilities will form the backbone of the region’s first commercial space-based mobile network, ensuring seamless coordination between terrestrial and satellite systems.
A Step Toward Universal Broadband
The commercial service is expected to launch in Q4 2026, pending regulatory approvals from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and other authorities across 15 regional markets.
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, described the collaboration as “a paradigm shift in how people connect,” adding that the partnership will “bridge the digital divide and empower millions with reliable, easy-to-use connectivity.”
Olayan Alwetaid, CEO of stc group, emphasized that the partnership reflects stc’s commitment to digital innovation, stating:
“By expanding coverage through cutting-edge satellite technologies, stc and AST SpaceMobile are ensuring that no one is left out of the digital future. This is a key step toward our ambition to lead in digital infrastructure and provide world-class connectivity everywhere.”
Driving Digital Inclusion in the MENA Region
This partnership positions stc group as the first regional operator to deploy direct-to-device satellite broadband, marking a major advancement in Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation strategy. It aligns with the Kingdom’s goals to expand digital access, accelerate innovation, and build next-generation infrastructure supporting Vision 2030.
