Saudi Arabia’s stc group and AST SpaceMobile, the U.S.–based company building a direct-to-device satellite cellular broadband network, have inked a ten-year commercial contract to deliver seamless 4G LTE and 5G mobile connectivity across the Kingdom and key regional markets. Under the agreement, stc will prepay US$ 175 million and commit to a long-term revenue guarantee, while AST will deploy three ground gateways in Saudi Arabia and establish a Network Operations Centre in Riyadh to support service offerings.

The partnership aims to bridge coverage gaps by enabling standard smartphones to connect directly to satellite infrastructure without special hardware or software upgrades, integrating AST’s space-based network with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and select countries in the Middle East and Africa. The deal is AST’s first major commercial agreement in the region and makes stc the first regional operator to adopt this satellite-to-cell model.

Commercial services are projected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, contingent on regulatory clearances from the Communications, Space & Technology Commission in Saudi Arabia and other authorities across a 15-country footprint. The agreement also grants stc exclusive rights in certain markets—such as Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Djibouti, Tunisia and Sudan—and preferential terms in others.

stc CEO Olayan Alwetaid commented that the deal advances the group’s ambition to lead in digital infrastructure and extend connectivity “no matter where they are.” AST CEO Abel Avellan described the programme as a paradigm shift in how people connect and a major leap toward universal mobile broadband.

By combining satellite and terrestrial networks, Saudi Arabia is accelerating its Vision 2030 commitment to digital inclusion, leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure to drive innovation, economic development and support underserved regions. The collaboration signals a significant expansion of satellite mobile services in the Middle East and beyond, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of next-generation connectivity.