Saudi Arabia’s stc Group has taken a bold step towards accelerating digital transformation across the Kingdom by agreeing a new five-year Master Frame Agreement with Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson. The deal, signed on December 16, 2025, signals a deeper, long-term collaboration aimed at turbocharging the rollout of next-generation connectivity and advanced digital services that support economic growth and technology adoption across public and private sectors.
This agreement builds on a partnership that began years ago when stc and Ericsson deployed one of Saudi Arabia’s first 5G networks in 2019. With the new framework, the two firms are ready to move beyond early network build-out and focus on scaling up infrastructure that can support new innovations, services and a broader range of users across both urban and rural communities.
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A Strategic Commitment to Future-Ready Connectivity
Under the terms of the five-year pact, stc Group will have access to Ericsson’s latest portfolio of products and services. These include state-of-the-art 5G hardware and software, cloud native platforms, advanced managed services and comprehensive infrastructure support. By leveraging these technologies, stc is positioning itself to deliver improved network performance, introduce smarter services and support emerging use cases in businesses and communities.
Ericsson’s leading-edge 5G solutions, such as 5G Standalone, 5G Advanced and Massive MIMO products, are central to this partnership. These technologies offer significant enhancements in speed, capacity and reliability compared to earlier network generations. They also lay the foundation for even more advanced communications technologies beyond 5G, including early preparations for 6G-ready networks.
For stc Group, this deal is more than a procurement arrangement. It is a strategic enabler of its broader vision to help Saudi Arabia achieve its digital ambitions. As stated by Abdullah M. Alowini, Vice President of Supply Chain at stc Group, the agreement reinforces the company’s commitment to driving digital transformation and innovation. He emphasised that the partnership will empower customers, accelerate enterprise innovation and support the Kingdom’s goal of building a globally competitive digital economy.
From Ericsson’s perspective, the collaboration aligns with its mission of supporting Saudi Vision 2030. The company’s Vice President and Head of Ericsson Saudi Arabia highlighted shared dedication to delivering digital infrastructure that drives economic competitiveness and innovation while underpinning national development goals.
What This Means for Consumers and Businesses
The expanded partnership is expected to unlock a new wave of connectivity services and business solutions in Saudi Arabia. With enhanced 5G capabilities and cloud native platforms, stc Group is set to offer more reliable and high-speed connections for consumers and enterprises. Services that leverage network slicing will support use cases across sectors such as smart cities, manufacturing, education and health care where customised connectivity can drive efficiency and new revenue streams.
Managed services from Ericsson will also help optimise network performance and reliability. This means stc Group can focus on delivering differentiated services, while Ericsson supports network operations through advanced tools and technical expertise. Together, this could strengthen customer experiences and push forward solutions that balance performance with scalability and future-readiness.
Industry watchers note that this type of long-term framework deal is not unique internationally but substantiates stc Group’s position as a major player in the Middle East’s digital transformation journey. Agreements in other regions often include provisions that prepare networks for the integration of cloud native operations and artificial intelligence-driven optimisation in future releases, hinting at broader global telecom trends.
Boosting National Ambitions and Regional Competitiveness
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 lays out an ambitious roadmap for economic diversification and technology-driven growth. Critical to this plan is the expansion of robust digital infrastructure that supports innovation, attracts investment and fosters inclusive development. The stc-Ericsson deal aligns squarely with this national strategy, signalling confidence from international partners in the Kingdom’s digital trajectory.
As the agreement unfolds over the next five years, stc Group will use Ericsson’s solutions to support expansion of its 5G footprint and to explore next-generation services such as autonomous network optimisation, which could improve efficiency and resilience in network performance. The groundwork laid by this extended partnership also contributes to broader regional competitiveness, potentially setting a benchmark for telecom infrastructure development in the Middle East.
One significant element of the deal is its forward focus. While 5G continues to roll out and mature globally, this collaboration ensures stc Group is building a network that is not only stronger today but ready for the demands of tomorrow. This includes readiness for eventual 6G technologies and more intelligent network management frameworks that rely on automation and predictive analytics.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next
With the framework in place, both stc Group and Ericsson now turn towards implementation. Stakeholders across the telecom and technology ecosystem in Saudi Arabia will be watching closely as new services and infrastructure projects begin to roll out. For everyday consumers, this could translate into faster internet, improved reliability and new digital experiences. For enterprises, it may mean access to network-enabled tools that drive productivity and innovation.
In the broader context of Middle East technology growth, this partnership reinforces the view that strong collaborations between local operators and global tech providers are crucial for building digital economies. As countries seek to diversify beyond traditional industries and cultivate innovation ecosystems, reliable and advanced digital infrastructure becomes a cornerstone of progress.
The five-year Master Frame Agreement between stc Group and Ericsson is more than a contract. It marks the beginning of a deeper journey towards modernised connectivity, smarter networks and a future where digital services play a central role in shaping economies and improving lives. As implementation begins, the outcomes of this partnership will likely influence how networks evolve across the region in the years to come.
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