Saudi Arabia’s stc has retained its position as the most valuable telecommunications brand in the Middle East for the sixth consecutive year, recording a 9% increase in brand value to $17.6 billion, according to Brand Finance’s Telecoms 150 2026 report. The group also held its ranking as the world’s ninth most valuable telecom brand and third strongest globally, with a Brand Strength Index score of 88.6 out of 100 and an AAA rating.
Eight Middle Eastern operators featured in the global top 150, collectively reflecting the region’s rising influence in international telecom brand rankings. e& retained second place in the region with brand value up 7% to $16.4 billion, climbing two positions to rank 14th in global brand strength with a BSI score of 85.8 and an AAA rating.
Zain posted one of the stronger improvements in the regional field, with brand value rising 16% to $4 billion — breaking that threshold for the first time — and climbing five places to rank 35th globally while holding third position in the Middle East. Mobily recorded the fastest brand value growth in the region for the sixth straight year, up 32% to $3.5 billion, entering the global top 50 for the first time at 42nd.
Other regional operators in the top 150 include Ooredoo at 45th, Omantel — which climbed 16 places to 109th — and Telecom Egypt at 137th. du retained its position as the 20th strongest telecom brand globally. The combined value of the world’s top 150 telecom brands reached $741.8 billion in 2026.
Brand Finance’s Managing Director for Middle East and Africa, Savio D’Souza, said regional operators are moving beyond connectivity into cloud, cybersecurity, data centres, and fintech, deepening enterprise relevance and driving global competitiveness.
Editor’s Note: The consistent upward trajectory of Gulf telecom brands in global valuation rankings — with stc, e&, and Zain all posting growth — signals that the region’s digital diversification strategies are being reflected in brand equity, not just financial results. Watch whether Omantel’s 16-place jump and Telecom Egypt’s entry into the top 150 translate into accelerated investment mandates from their respective governments.
