STC named title partner of first ever F1 race in Kingdom

The agreement was signed by SAMF chairman Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal, stc chairman Prince Mohammad bin Khalid Alfaisal, and stc Group CEO Olayan M. Alwetaid.
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Updated 06 October 2021
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STC named title partner of first ever F1 race in Kingdom

The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation has announced that Saudi Telecom Company will be the title partner of the first ever Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which will take place on the brand-new Jeddah Corniche Circuit on the weekend of Dec. 3-5. The agreement was signed by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the SAMF; Prince Mohammad bin Khalid Alabdullah Alfaisal, chairman of stc board of directors; and stc Group CEO Olayan M. Alwetaid.

In addition to its inclusion on the event title, the terms of the agreement will see the stc logo be heavily displayed throughout the race weekend. The stc brand is set to feature prominently on all global broadcasts as well as on the winners’ trophies and across the Jeddah Corniche Circuit — the newest, longest and fastest street circuit in the world — during the penultimate round of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship.

In turn, stc will support a variety of inspiring initiatives and events hosted across the Kingdom, as part of Vision 2030’s aim to inspire the nation to engage in increased sporting activities and to promote a healthier lifestyle for all.

SAMF chairman Prince Khalid said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the Saudi Telecom Company, a collaboration that will have a hugely significant and positive impact for both parties. Formula 1 has a global fanbase of more than 500 million fans with a cumulative television audience of 1.9 billion viewers, which represents an incredible opportunity for both parties to showcase the best of Saudi innovation and technology to the world.

“Indeed, the values of stc are perfectly aligned with those of the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — progressive, pioneering and dedicated to making the future a better place for the people of Saudi Arabia, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.”

stc chairman Prince Mohammad said: “An event of this stature in Jeddah affirms the great possibilities we can achieve as a Kingdom and represents great confidence of global organizations in our capability to stage world-class events. The participation of stc in the event is a testimony that as a digital enabler in the Kingdom, we have a significant role to play in contributing to the success of global events and enhancing the Kingdom’s image in the global markets.”

CEO of stc Group Alwateed said: “Formula 1 is of great interest to all segments of Saudi society, and is followed by millions from around the world. This is why we were keen to participate in this global event, which is important to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and which will be supported by stc by providing the latest ICT solutions to enable everyone to enjoy an advanced digital and technological experience.”

Ben Pincus, director of commercial partnerships at Formula 1, said: “With just over two months to go until the first ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, excitement in the region is really starting to build and we cannot wait to race in Jeddah for the first time. We’re very happy to welcome stc to be a part of this historic event, and as one of the leading brands in the region, it is a natural fit to help enhance the experience for F1 fans in Saudi.”


Aramco Digital to launch National Industrial Network on 450 MHz band

Updated 12 January 2026
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Aramco Digital to launch National Industrial Network on 450 MHz band

Aramco Digital, the digital and technology arm of Aramco, is preparing to launch its National Industrial Network operating on the 450 MHz spectrum, a network designed to enable secure, resilient, and high-reliability industrial communications across Saudi Arabia. The network has been engineered as a mission-critical industrial infrastructure to deliver high levels of security, flexibility, and reliability to meet the needs of industrial sectors. It provides wide-area coverage with advanced protection standards, supporting operational environments that require continuous performance and dependable connectivity for critical facilities and assets.

“The National Industrial Network has been designed to support the advanced operational requirements of modern industrial environments, aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening business continuity, and enabling a new class of highly reliable industrial communications. Together with next-generation mission-critical smart radios, the network aims to help build a future-ready industrial infrastructure that enables real-time data insights, supports industrial digital transformation, and aligns with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030,” said Nabil Al-Nuaim, Aramco Digital CEO.

Unlike public networks, the National Industrial Network has been purpose-built for industrial environments, enabling connectivity for critical assets, supply chains, logistics operations, and autonomous mobility systems. The network seeks to elevate smart industrial services, supporting real-time monitoring, automation, enhanced safety, and higher operational efficiency across industrial sectors.

As part of the launch, Aramco Digital plans to introduce an integrated portfolio of industrial digital solutions powered by the 450 MHz network. These include specialized connectivity packages tailored to diverse sector needs, along with a new generation of mission-critical smart radios designed specifically for industrial operations. The devices combine rugged high-performance design and industrial safety compliance with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, enhanced sensing technologies, extended battery life, and real-time on-device data processing, helping improve accuracy, safety, and operational continuity in complex environments.

The network has also been designed to support a wide spectrum of industrial IoT applications, including asset condition and performance monitoring, fleet tracking, air-quality and environmental sensing, intelligent video monitoring, smart metering, lighting and infrastructure control, as well as mobility and fleet-management solutions. These capabilities enhance operational transparency, automation, and efficiency across both industrial and public sectors.

The National Industrial Network aims to help establish a strong technological foundation for Saudi Arabia’s next industrial phase, contributing to the objectives of Vision 2030 by delivering highly reliable, nationwide industrial connectivity that enables automation, intelligence, and advanced digital services across vital sectors. By developing connectivity solutions aligned with the needs of modern industrial operations, Aramco Digital is helping shape the future of mission-critical digital infrastructure in the Kingdom, moving beyond traditional telecommunications to enable continuous interaction between devices, machines, and AI-powered systems, and strengthening real-time decision-making through edge processing.

The 450 MHz National Industrial Network represents more than an improvement in coverage or performance. It is a strategic step toward smarter, more autonomous, and technology-driven industrial ecosystems that enhance operational excellence and set a new benchmark for advanced digital infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

With the accelerating pace of digital transformation in the Kingdom, secure and reliable connectivity has become a fundamental pillar in supporting operational requirements and driving economic growth. Organizations across various sectors— including industrial sectors and those enabling future economies — are increasingly relying on advanced connectivity solutions and technologies to enhance safety and reliability, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new horizons for sustainable economic development.