stc Group and Astranis announced on September 10, 2026, a new agreement to deploy a dedicated satellite serving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2026 as part of Astranis' Block 3 program, and it is expected to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity across Saudi Arabia's networks in 2027. The dedicated capacity will expand stc group's portfolio of satellite communication services across the Kingdom.
Strategic Investment in Dedicated Infrastructure
Countries around the world are increasingly prioritizing ownership and control of communications infrastructure over shared capacity. Saudi Arabia's investment reflects this shift by adding satellite coverage that provides redundancy alongside the Kingdom's existing fiber network. The move reinforces communications infrastructure as a national priority aligned with other key sectors.
Partnership Scope and Security Advantages
The agreement gives stc group full authority over payload configuration, coverage, and in-region data security under enterprise-grade standards. This approach complements stc group's existing capacity in other orbits and expands the reach and resilience of its network. Astranis designed its satellite offering for rapid deployment, enabling stc group to secure capacity on an accelerated timeline.
Executive Perspectives
Mohammad Alabbadi, Group Chief Carrier and Wholesale Officer at stc group, said space has become a critical layer of the company's digital ecosystem. He noted that dedicated satellite capacity is central to delivering resilient, reliable, and secure connectivity across the country. Alabbadi added that Astranis' speed and flexibility made the company the right partner for this stage of work.
John Gedmark, CEO and co-founder of Astranis, said it is an honor to work with stc group to deliver dedicated and secure networks supporting Saudi Arabia's broader digital infrastructure program. He emphasized that countries require national control over critical networks and data. He also stated that Astranis was built to deliver exactly that kind of national control.
Broader Digital Infrastructure Momentum
This dedicated satellite forms part of a wider wave of digital infrastructure investment already underway at stc group. The company has committed significant investment to a national network agreement, with phase one deployments already in progress. The new satellite will expand stc group's portfolio of satellite communication services across the Kingdom.
Company Capabilities
stc group operates as a digital enabler with 13 subsidiaries across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Its services include digital infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, digital payments, digital media, and digital entertainment. Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits and has five satellites on orbit with a commercial backlog exceeding $1 billion.
Astranis has raised over $1.2 billion from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint. The company employs 500 engineers and entrepreneurs and operates from its headquarters in Northern California. Its customers include large enterprises, governments, and the United States military.
The agreement between stc group and Astranis highlights a growing regional emphasis on sovereign and secure satellite connectivity. By securing dedicated capacity with full payload authority, stc group is strengthening the resilience of Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure. The partnership positions both companies to support the Kingdom's long-term digital vision through rapid and controlled network expansion.