Page 15 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

STC Wins Best Annual Digital Report from MEIRA

Relations Association (MEIRA)’s awards government, corporations, and SMEs alike, world-class large Data Center, as well
ceremony in its eleventh edition held in and performing its leading national role as STC Academy to train highly skilled
Dubai. The award acknowledged STC’s in implementing digital transformation in leaders, and the first 247/ digital store.
commitment to applying best reporting order to contribute to shaping the future of The digital report also showed how STC
practices in its digital 2018 Annual sustainable development in Saudi Arabia. promoted its local and regional leadership
Report, which reflects the pivotal role STC The report reflected the robust financial after it launched its first live 5G network
plays in enabling digital transformation, status of STC and its interest in distributing location following the test completion, for
which is one of Saudi Vision 2030’s key cash dividends across its shareholders. It the first time in the MENA region. This will
objectives, by providing the best modern showed a 2.6% increase in revenue in 2018, be followed by many other 5G network
technology services. The report, first reaching SR 51.963 million, while gross locations throughout Saudi Arabia. STC
inaugurated by Eng. Nasser Bin Suleiman profit amounted to SR 30.546 million, i.e. is also working on completing the next
Al Nasser, CEO of STC Group, in the a 6.9% increase. Operating profit reached phase of expanding the 5G network on a
presence of Ameen Al Shady, CFO, and SR 12.245 million, in a 115% increase, and broader scale so at to keep up with the
Mohammed Abal Khail, Director General net profits rose by 7.6% to reach SR 10.780 latest global technologies, raise digital
of Corporate Communications, allows million compared to 2017. The company services efficiency, and enrich customer
investors, analysts, shareholders, and also maintained its market share growth, experience across all Saudi cities. The
other members of the financial community as the number of its fiber optic service report that won the MEIRA award also
to quickly and efficiently locate the clients rose by 18% compared to 2017. The presented the progress STC has made
information they need. The award reflects report also highlighted STC’s national role both locally and internationally, after it won
STC’s commitment to using the highest and contribution to achieving Vision 2030 in the Board elections of GSMA, the world’s
disclosure and quality standards in terms by investing in the digitization of economy, largest organization of operators and
of both content and design. The report was which it did by investing in startup manufacturers of mobile communications,
characterized by its comprehensiveness technologies by establishing a Venture to be one of the Board’s 25 top telecom
and impact in line with the company’s Capital fund valued at USD 500 focused on companies in the world. STC also won the
strategy, which aims at applying the investment in modern technologies: King Abdul Aziz Award for Quality in its
best practices of communication with its 3D printing, Artificial Intelligence 1439 H - 2018 AD edition in the category
clients and investors, as well as offering (AI), drones, Virtual Reality (VR), and of large service enterprises at the Gold
them a better value by adopting best autonomous vehicles. The report also level, for the second time since the award
investor relations practices. The award is presented STC’s achievements in 2018 was started. This reflects the company’s
also a sign that STC is on the right track in digital payments, Big Data, cloud interest in quality, institutional work, and
towards achieving its ambitious strategy, computing, Cybersecurity, the Internet commitment to one of its core values, i.e.
DARE, aimed at growing in new areas to of Things (IoT), and AI, including the Customer First.
promote itself as the right partner for the inauguration of the STC PAY service, a

STC Offers 5G For Free in Saudi Arabia

STC has launched the 5G key for free for two months from the beginning
of the subscription, which will give customers high speeds based on its
strongest network in the Kingdom for its spread and reliability. The CEO of
STC, Eng. Naser Al Naser, confirmed the Group’s commitment to continue
leading in the 5G era, confirming its leadership as the first operator in
the Kingdom and the Middle East to launch the live network of the fifth
generation in May 2018. As well as providing the first generation service
for pilgrims in 1440 in 196 locations in Mecca, Al Madina and the Holy
Places. He pointed out that the launch of the 5G package reflects STC’s
commitment to its pivotal role as a key enabler of digital transformation
and the development of the telecommunications and information
technology sector in the Kingdom, in a way that enriches people’s lives in
innovative ways based on modern technology.

15 OCTOBER 2019