Saudi Arabia’s $90 B Satellite Power Play: How ST Engineering iDirect and Solutions by stc Are Turbo‑Charging the Kingdom’s Digital Future
The agreement was inked on 20 June 2025 and publicly confirmed between ST Engineering iDirect and Solutions by stc to expand a next-generation ground network for government broadband, 5G backhaul, and mobility services across Saudi Arabia. The deal is timed to support Vision 2030 and aims to secure sovereign, multi-orbit satcom capacity to underpin a digital-economy valued at SR 495 billion (about US$131.9 billion) today and US$90 billion in incremental ICT value by 2030. The scope includes expansion of ST Engineering iDirect hubs, line cards, and software-upgradable modems across multiple Saudi teleports, supporting fixed VSAT, mobility, and cellular backhaul. The