AST SpaceMobile and stc group have entered a 10-year commercial agreement to bring direct-to-device satellite broadband connectivity to Saudi Arabia and key markets in the Middle East and Africa. The deal includes a $175 million prepayment from stc for future services and a significant long-term revenue commitment, marking AST SpaceMobile’s first regional agreement in the MENA region.
Under the partnership, AST SpaceMobile will integrate its space-based cellular broadband system with stc’s terrestrial network to extend 4G and 5G coverage to remote and underserved regions. The company will construct three gateway stations and a Network Operations Center (NOC) in Riyadh to manage network operations and ensure high-quality service. The goal is to provide broadband access directly to standard smartphones without specialized hardware or software, bridging the digital divide for millions across rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Commercial service is expected to launch in Q4 2026, pending regulatory approvals from Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and other regional authorities. The collaboration aligns with stc’s broader digital infrastructure and inclusion strategy and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for space-enabled communications.
• 10-year commercial agreement covering Saudi Arabia and regional markets
• $175 million prepaid for future service and long-term revenue commitment
• Three ground gateways and a new Network Operations Center (NOC) to be built in Riyadh
• First regional deployment of AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-device technology
• Commercial launch expected in Q4 2026, pending regulatory approval
“stc group regional leadership and commitment to innovation, combined with our pioneering space-based network, will create a paradigm shift in how people connect,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile.
🌐 Analysis: For AST SpaceMobile, the partnership provides a significant regional anchor customer and funding infusion to advance its constellation deployment. For stc, it strengthens the operator’s digital infrastructure strategy and positions Saudi Arabia as an early mover in space-based mobile services.
