The invisible engine: how stc is contributing to empower Saudi's digital future
Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj is group chief technology officer for stc.
Life as we know it – from Netflix streaming our favorite shows to our smart fridge communicating with our phone, to the foundation of the internet itself – seem to operate seamlessly.
Did you ever stop and wonder what makes this possible? Behind these innovations lies something much more complex: a grand, invisible network that is neutral digital infrastructure (NDI).
In today's world, NDI is the backbone of the digital landscape's most ambitious developments, from the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G's evolution to 6G to blockchain networks and Google's OpenTitan. It is the silent powerhouse that enables everything from our Instagram posts to the emerging technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence. In a world without NDI, our shared digital experience is fragmented, slower, and more expensive.
In Saudi Arabia, stc group is investing in this shared infrastructure as more than a technical necessity to enable the next generation of technology. We see it as the digital backbone driving the kingdom's Vision 2030 ambitions and elevating the way our communities live, work, and connect. As we all embark towards a digital-first future, NDI is the silent powerhouse making it all happen.
Shared Digital Highways
Before NDI came to be, each internet and phone company constructed and maintained its own infrastructure, which led to inefficiencies and increased costs. stc group's neutral digital infrastructure revolutionizes this model with a community-centric approach, building a shared highway that any company and telecom provider can access simultaneously, rather than each company building its own roads.
By establishing these basic building blocks of the digital world, stc is leveraging its cutting-edge networks and shared services to unlock opportunities, accelerate innovation and set new benchmarks for digital excellence. This transformative infrastructure ensures that everything powering our digital world, whether it's fiber optic cables, cell towers, or data centers, remains reliable and keeps us connected no matter how technology evolves over generations.
A Level-Playing Field
Why does this matter? Our investments and strategic partnerships in NDI, 5G networks, cloud and data centers, and smart cities extend beyond stc. It's about enabling and expanding access to critical elements of the digital ecosystem, bridging the gap between innovation, fostering the growth of emerging technologies and ultimately connecting people. From connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through a state-of-the-art Data Center Park in Bahrain and forming one of the world's largest submarine cable systems, to setting a Middle East record for the region's first-ever 1Tbps (terabit-per-second) long haul field trial, stc continuously strives to stay ahead of the curve.
As one of the first service providers globally to launch 5G, we have deployed 5G sites in over 75 cities, securing over 1.5 million 5G subscribers. By significantly enhancing the capabilities of our shared infrastructure and offering scalable, faster connectivity, we are laying the groundwork for future technologies that are in their nascent stages that will one day operate on the NDI we are building today.
Neutral, scalable and reliable infrastructure powers it all – from autonomous vehicles to remote healthcare – enabling businesses and individuals to not only thrive in a digital economy but drive the digital transformation of our time.
Empowering Future-Ready Communities
The development of NDI is critical to stc and Saudi Arabia, and we have already seen its impact across the kingdom's smart cities. Our work with Diriyah Company is an example of this investment, turning a UNESCO World Heritage Site into a smart tourism destination. Because of stc's investment in NDI, a historic landmark can now offer new and innovative ways for tourists to engage and learn while preserving the community's rich heritage.
But this is just the beginning. Modernizing urban living and bridging the digital infrastructure gap across communities are foundational steps in a much larger journey. With NDI, we are reimagining neighborhoods as empowered, sustainable and connected communities. From smart homes to advanced digital services, stc's neutral digital infrastructure investments are building a future where technology is more accessible, efficient, and impactful.
As Saudi Arabia advances towards a digitally powered era, stc's strategic investments in NDI are at the forefront of shaping this bold new future. We are not merely building infrastructure, we are redefining the essence of digital connectivity with networks that are scalable, secure and resilient. stc is not just keeping pace with the digital revolution—we are driving its transformation, setting new benchmarks, and charting the course for what lies ahead.
Haithem Mohammed Alfaraj is group chief technology officer for stc.
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