stc Group Signs 10-Year Deal with AST SpaceMobile for Direct-to-Device Cellular Broadband
stc group has signed a landmark 10-year commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile to deliver space-based cellular broadband services across Saudi Arabia and select Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets. The partnership includes a $175 million prepayment and a long-term revenue commitment marking AST SpaceMobile’s first major regional deal in MENA.
Under the agreement, AST SpaceMobile will integrate its space-based 4G and 5G network with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure to provide direct-to-device (D2D) mobile connectivity, enabling voice and broadband data on standard smartphones without specialized hardware or software.
To support deployment, AST SpaceMobile will establish three ground gateways and a Network Operations Center (NOC) in Riyadh, creating a regional hub for network operations and service quality management.
The partnership aims to extend high-speed coverage to remote and underserved regions, supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation and Vision 2030 goals. It also positions stc as the first MENA operator to adopt D2D satellite broadband, reinforcing its strategy to expand access, enhance resilience, and invest in next-generation Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
Commercial rollout is expected in late 2026, pending regulatory approval from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and other regional authorities.