Saudi Arabian digital services provider stc Group and satellite manufacturer Astranis have announced an agreement to deploy a dedicated satellite serving Saudi Arabia. The deal marks a significant expansion of stc Group’s satellite communications portfolio and brings dedicated satellite connectivity to the Kingdom as part of a growing national investment in connectivity infrastructure.
The satellite is part of the Astranis Block 3 programme, a mission focused on deploying dedicated MicroGEO communication satellites, with a launch scheduled for later this year. Once operational, the satellite is expected to begin providing service by 2027, expanding satellite capacity for stc Group and strengthening telecommunications coverage across Saudi Arabia.
Dedicated Satellite Connectivity Through the Astranis Block 3 Programme
The agreement between stc Group and Astranis reflects a wider trend among nations investing in dedicated communications infrastructure rather than relying solely on shared satellite capacity. Saudi Arabia’s move towards dedicated satellite connectivity follows this pattern, with the new satellite adding an important layer of network redundancy alongside the Kingdom’s existing fibre networks.
Astranis builds advanced satellites designed for high orbits. The company currently has five satellites on orbit and has disclosed a commercial contract backlog exceeding one billion US dollars, with several additional satellites set to launch in the near term. The Block 3 programme is central to this pipeline, supporting multiple customers across different regions.
For stc Group, the partnership broadens access to satellite communications across multiple orbital layers. The dedicated satellite capacity complements the provider’s existing telecom infrastructure investments, including significant commitments to a national network agreement with phase one deployments already underway. By layering satellite coverage on top of fibre networks, stc Group is positioned to deliver greater resilience and reach across its connectivity infrastructure.
Payload Control, Security and Deployment Timeline
A notable aspect of the agreement is the level of control stc Group will hold over the satellite. The partnership grants stc Group full authority over payload configuration and coverage, allowing the operator to tailor the satellite’s performance to the specific connectivity needs of the Saudi market. Data will remain in-region under enterprise-grade security protocols, addressing growing requirements for data sovereignty within the Kingdom’s telecom infrastructure.
The Astranis satellite platform is designed for rapid deployment, enabling stc Group to bring new satellite capacity online on an accelerated timeline compared to traditional satellite programmes. This speed of deployment supports the broader wave of digital infrastructure investment currently underway at stc Group.
Astranis has also been active elsewhere in the region. In January 2026, the company announced a strategic agreement for Oman’s first dedicated MicroGEO satellite, also contracted under the Block 3 launch. That initiative forms part of a broader investment programme aligned with Oman’s national development goals.
The stc Group and Astranis agreement reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its connectivity infrastructure through dedicated satellite connectivity, adding resilience and expanded coverage to the Kingdom’s telecommunications landscape.