Saudi Telecom (STC) and the government partnered to modernize and uplift the Mobile & Fixed Broadband Networks to further close the Digital divide between densely populated areas and remote areas, and to provide a trailblazing platform for modern, future-proof e-services: e-education, e-government, e-business, etc. which is in-line with the STC’s contribution strategy to the National ICT Transformation initiatives and Kingdom’s 2030 Vision. stc achieve its objectives via

• Expanding the Mobile & Fixed (Fiber) Telecom Infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas.
• Boosting the Internet Performance (speed& Quality)
• deploying a large Public (Free) Wi-Fi Network to provide internet access for those in need

The scope objectives are:
• Enhance 4G current network and development of 5G coverage in populated areas in 5 main cities
• Deploy public Wi-Fi access points for free internet coverage.
• Increase high-speed residential internet access via Expand the FTTH footprint, uplift& increase minimum FTTH speed.

The program achieved:
• Deployed 3,412 5G sites above 35% coverage in populated areas
• Deployed 36,000 Public Wi-fi Access Points on locations like major streets, shopping malls, etc.
• Increased FTTH speed to an average of 80Mbs subscription

Direct impact:
• Improved mobile download speed by 192%
• Increased data traffic on STC network by more than 200%
• Increased number of subscribers of Fiber to the Home (FTTH) by 41%
• Increased download traffic on Fiber to the Home (FTTH) by more than 150%
• Enhanced download speed on Fiber to the Home by 130%
• Deployed 5G mobile network into 43 cities
• Expanded the free public WIFI access points by 200%

Saudi Arabia's Mobile broadband Speed Global Ranking Improved from 50th to 7th with more than 60% contribution from stc network. Enhancing the internet accessibility to public & private sectors, educational organizations. During the pandemic of COVID-19, enabling e-learning, remote work, and maintaining economical demand.

https://stc.com.sa

• Saudi Arabia

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities
• Public, private sectors and educational organizations

The concept of the project has been proven to work in rural areas and cities. it can be exported to other communities or regions in the same country or abroad. While there are differences between cities, countries and even between different parts in the same city, in terms of population, geographical terrain, and distribution of the population, the development of STC network and expansion of its services to serve the public can be replicated and repeated annually to provide networking accessibility to Educational entities, government sector and citizens of KSA.

STC developed the infrastructure to reach-out customers in new and rural areas and to expand the current telecom network. And as its customer base who rely heavily upon mobile internet access and broadband expand, this relationship will ensure that the network development and expansion can grow and ultimately sustain itself

The ICT infrastructure provided Saudi Arabia with these values : • high speed internet access to the public, private sectors, Educational organizations, individuals of all genders and business investors • Cloud computing through high-speed internet • High level data security • Facilitating online governmental services • High speed internet access to rural areas Building a state of art wireless and fixed access infrastructure provided access to information and knowledge that enabled Saudi nationals for information and knowledge. It also became a conduit for growth and innovation via education and training. It enabled also for online markets and to address the COVID-19 pandemic with less economic impact via remote work.