Supporting Units
Technology Unit
The Technology Unit is a vital component of stc, responsible for managing and leveraging technology to support and enhance various business functions. The Unit plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, improving operational efficiency and ensuring competitiveness.
Strategic focus and alignment with DARE 2.0 strategy
The Technology Unit’s RAQAMI strategy includes revolutionizing innovation, advancing data analytics, quickening and modernizing infrastructure, aspiring efficiency increase, maturing cybersecurity, and inspiring towards digitalization. These are critical technology imperatives that ensure technology enablement across the full gamut of the DARE 2.0 corporate strategy.
Kingdom's vision 2030
KSA ICT Strategy 2023
DARE 2.0
D
Digitize stc
A
Accelerate performance
R
Reinvent experience
E
Expand scale and scope
Technology – RAQAMI strategy
Revolutionize
innovation
Advance data
analytics
Quicken and modernize infrastructure
Aspire efficiency increase
Mature cybersecurity and resiliency
Inspire towards digitalization
Technology domains
Mobile access
Fixed access
Core
Cloud
Data centers
Transport
Apps
Data analytics
In 2023, stc remained focused on accelerating infrastructure modernization and simplification in a fast-changing environment from a market and addressing emerging technology trends. The major achievements during the year enabled it to improve the customer experience, reaching 47.5% 5G coverage across the Kingdom and 98% for 4G coverage.
5G Coverage (KSA)
4G Coverage (KSA)
Moreover, it implemented 203,865 households for consumer business through Last Mile and Fiber to the home (FTTH) projects.
Other key achievements of the year 2023 included:
3G upgraded to L900 for
+8.9k sites.
Exceeded transition target of 55% for copper consumer customers to fiber.
Completion of IAM and PRA integrations for Jawwy applications, resolving 9.4k vulnerabilities.
Achieved 100% data ownership for all stc domains/sub-domains.
8,470 5G sites integrated with 7,517 5G fiber sites as at the end of 2023.
3,499 additional second-layer 5G sites integration (N40) in 2023 to reach 4,452 sites.
households
Human Resources
In 2023, stc’s Human Resources (HR) Unit continued to support the well-being, engagement and productivity of stc’s workforce, who are the foundation of the continued success and innovation of stc. This year saw significant achievements across several key areas through the successful execution of the stc’s HR excellence strategy, which is integral in establishing a harmonious balance that effectively addressed the needs of 3 key stakeholder groups: shareholders, business leaders and employees. By effectively maintaining this balance, stc is able to remain innovative and agile, in order to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape and capture opportunities for continued growth and value creation.
To provide the right focus, capabilities and capacity for the business, stc’s HR Unit undertook a thorough review of its strategic direction during 2023, aligning it closely with the stc’s overall strategy. The resulting Design, Drive, Deliver HR framework has been translated into an operating model and cascaded to stc’s various departments for implementation. This realignment was pivotal in ensuring maximum effectiveness and efficiency at both the organizational and individual levels, thereby reinforcing stc’s commitment to strategic congruence.
Simultaneously, stc’s HR focused on fostering and spreading the desired organizational culture and values throughout all units of stc. This initiative was key to enhancing the experiences of the stakeholders mentioned above. A critical component of this endeavor was the modernization of the HR function itself. By adopting the latest digital tools and methodologies, the HR department was able to more effectively spread stc’s culture and values, ensuring a more integrated and cohesive workforce.
These strategic moves by stc’s HR Unit underscored its role in going beyond just the stc’s managing human capital to act as a driving force for the organization’s broader strategic objectives, maintaining a fine balance between stakeholder needs and the dynamic demands of the business environment.
Another important area of focus is the improvement of the early retirement program. This program aims to offer eligible employees a choice and an attractive route to retire early. The objective is to guarantee the contentment of these employees while generating openings for new talent to join the organization. This approach involves striking a delicate balance between recognizing the valuable contributions of long-serving employees and introducing new talents into the workforce.
stc also launched medical insurance for parents, an initiative aimed at enhancing the satisfaction and loyalty of Group members. Recognizing that employee well-being extends beyond the workplace, this benefit will positively impact overall job satisfaction and employee retention. By supporting the health and well-being of employees’ families, stc demonstrates a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to a loyal and committed workforce.
2023 by the Numbers
597
Employees hired
106
Fresh graduates hired
+90%
Saudization rate for stc KSA and its local subsidiaries
343
COOP trainees
1,162
Female employees
70
People with disabilities employees
748
Early retirement program beneficiaries
1,335
Social Welfare Loan employee beneficiaries
113
Social Welfare Grant employee beneficiaries
Rawafed Program
stc’s Rawafed program is a strategic initiative focused on enhancing and developing local content within the Kingdom’s ICT sector. The program was launched as part of stc’s commitment to contributing to the development of the local ICT sector, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. In 2023, Rawafed continued to deliver on its mandate and boost local content through a range of impactful initiatives and activities.
Strategic focus
Rawafed plays a critical role in delivering stc’s goals for local content and to reach its strategic targets through the following strategic pillars and operating model.
stc program for local content development
As an essential part of stc’s DARE 2.0 strategy, the Rawafed Program was launched in 2018 as a comprehensive umbrella for leadership, development, and local content development at stc.
The program relies on basic pillars to enhance its leadership role in sustainable development of local content.
Digitization and Innovation
Workforce development
Industry localization
SME development
Rawafed’s operating model
DARE 2.0 Rawafed’s contribution
D
Digitize stc
Instils a digital mindset in ICT sector through capacity building.
A
Accelerate performance
Is a key driver of sustainability – developing both stc’s people and talent, and stc’s supply chain ecosystem.
R
Reinvent experience
Builds a sustainable supply chain to support customers and partners.
E
Expand scale and scope
Directly supports stc’s B2B/B2G win-rate, enabling growth.
Supporting Vision 2030 goals
Saudi Vision 2030 is focused on cultivating a dynamic society and a robust economy by fostering an environment conducive to growth, generating employment opportunities for its citizens, nurturing talent, bolstering investments, and leveraging the nation’s intrinsic strengths. Rawafed aligns with these objectives through its 4 foundational pillars. These pillars are meticulously designed to bolster stc’s efforts in building a resilient and sustainable economy.
By prioritizing small and medium enterprise development, localizing industry, advocating digitization and innovation, and enhancing workforce development, Rawafed contributes significantly to the realization of the Kingdom’s ambitious economic and social goals of Vision 2030.
