STC is one of the key players in the region and in Saudi Arabia, in particular. The operator has made great strides last year under the leadership of CEO Eng. Nasser Al Nasser who explained in an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, how STC adapted its strategy to be in line with digitalization.
Eng. Nasser Al Nasser was recognized at this year’s Telecom Review Excellence Awards ceremony with the ‘CEO of the Year’ award for the achievements he’s made in 2019, notably in terms of 5G. In fact, STC is leading the way in 5G deployment in the Middle East region being the first operator to commercially launch the service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region.
You’ve been the CEO of STC for almost two years. What is the greatest achievement you’ve made so far?
In STC, we work as one team and follow a clear “DARE” Strategy. As a team, we contributed to the profitability and growth of its corporate governance during 2018-2019 and set STC 2020 Vision Strategy that’s aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Digital Transformation Program 2020. We are moving steadily to achieve our strategy objectives in terms of digital transformation and growing in new areas. For example, in Fintech, we launched STC Pay company. In terms of 5G, we were the first operator to launch 5G commercially in the Kingdom and the region.
STC had definitely embraced the change that came along with digital transformation. How would you sum up that journey?
STC made a huge leap from being a telecom provider to a digital guru enabling the Kingdom’s digital transformation program. STC has been rapidly supporting innovation mega projects to enrich people’s lives with a plan to expand more locally and regionally.
It has been an astonishing year for STC, knowing it has contributed to making a significant progress for Saudi Arabia in the Global Competitiveness Index 2019, which reflects the spread of broadband technology and improvements in the country’s digital infrastructure. STC is proud of being engaged in this achievement.
Since we believe that our employees are the cornerstone to achieve the objectives of DARE Strategy, we enhanced representation of our corporate values - dynamism, devotion and drive - with greater efficiency while preparing the company for the future.
What are your plans for the upcoming year?
As mentioned before, we are following our DARE Strategy which we will keep developing while improving our performance in the following areas as per the strategy:
- Digitizing STC and leading digital transformation
- Accelerating asset’s performance
- Reinventing customer experience
- Expanding locally and regionally.
