Ericsson and STC Forge Strategic 5-Year Alliance to Power Saudi Arabia’s Digital Future

In a major boost to Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation journey, global telecom leader Ericsson has signed a five-year strategic agreement with Saudi Telecom Company (STC Group) to expand and modernise the nation’s telecom infrastructure. The deal — cemented through a Master Frame Agreement — focuses on accelerating the rollout of next-generation technologies including 5G and future-ready network solutions. Mobile World Live

This collaboration underscores a shared vision: to drive innovation, expand digital inclusion, and enhance economic competitiveness in line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s bold agenda to diversify its economy and build a globally competitive digital ecosystem.

A Partnership with Purpose

Under the agreement, STC will leverage Ericsson’s cutting-edge portfolio of telecom solutions — including 5G hardware, cloud-native software and advanced artificial intelligence capabilities — to transform network performance and unlock new digital services. That includes:

• Faster rollout of 5G and 5G-Advanced technologies

• Massive MIMO deployment to improve network capacity and user experience

• Standalone 5G architecture with network slicing support

• Foundations for future 6G innovation and self-optimising networks 

These technologies are designed to fuel both consumer and enterprise digital experiences — from ultra-fast connectivity to specialised industry applications.

Going Beyond Connectivity

Beyond infrastructure deployment, the alliance reflects a deeper commitment to technological advancement and digital skill development. Ericsson’s expertise will help STC scale its operations and bring more sophisticated digital services to Saudi citizens and businesses.

This strategic tie-up builds on a long history of collaboration between the two organisations. Ericsson has been a key partner in STC’s network development for decades, including the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first 5G network. 

STC believes that this expanded partnership will propel Saudi Arabia into a “scalable, resilient and future-ready mobile network era,” enabling the Kingdom to meet the growing digital needs of its economy and society.

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 emphasises innovation, digital infrastructure and technological leadership as cornerstones of national growth. This latest agreement with Ericsson aligns with this vision by:

• Improving digital inclusion across urban and rural areas

• Supporting enterprise digitisation and smart industries

• Attracting international investment through robust telecom infrastructure

• Preparing the economy for emerging technologies beyond 5G 

As Saudi Arabia continues its rapid digital evolution, partnerships like this one are foundational to building a competitive knowledge economy.

Impacts Beyond Borders

Ericsson’s commitment to Saudi Arabia extends beyond technology supply. The company recently appointed Riyadh as the headquarters for its Africa and Middle East operations, reaffirming its strategic focus on the region and its long-term partnership with STC.

This landmark deal not only strengthens Ericsson’s footprint in the Middle East but also positions Saudi Arabia as a hub for digital innovation and smart connectivity — from smart cities to AI-enabled services and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Looking Ahead: A Connected Tomorrow

The Ericsson-STC alliance is much more than a typical vendor-client agreement — it is a long-term roadmap toward a digital society where connectivity drives economic opportunity, innovation, and quality of life.

With the Kingdom’s ambitious technology agenda accelerating, such collaborations will be key to realising the full promise of digital transformation in the Middle East and beyond.

Disclaimer:

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