Saudi Telecom Company (STC) reaches an impressive milestone - over 11 million subscribers

STC continued its organic proportionate growth until mid November and in the past fifty days alone it has gained a record breaking 1.4 million new customers and has grown by 15%. The total number of customers is greater then the combined total of all the GCC countries mobile users and gives the company a total market penetration of 57.14%*. Making it officially the largest telecom's business in both Saudi Arabia and the GCC, with 95% coverage and is one of the top 15 telecom operators in the world.

Consumers have a choice of operator and the indicators show that STC is the nation's first choice of mobile operator, whose customers still save on average 30% on their calls according to a recent marketing study carried out in 2005 as they only charge per second.

The company's president Mr. Kahlid Bin Abdullah Al-Molhem states,"

"I am truly elated, honored and pleased to be making this announcement, over the years we have taken this business to new heights, we could not have reached this monumentally achievement of 11 million without our loyal and dedicated customers, for which I would like to thank each and everyone one for their support in helping us reach this milestone".

He continues "Even though we have healthy competition in the Kingdom, we continue to out grow them on a daily basis and as a business we remain focused on delivering our strategy for growth. By offering our customers; value for money, providing the best service and are firmly committed to continuous development and innovation and we are looking forward to welcoming the next generation of customers to STC."

General Manager Eng. Saad Dhafer Al Qahtani, attributes part of the subscriber growth to: "its development program, which has helped bring more services to customers." He states "STC is very proud of its achievements, its employees and loyal customers without them we would never have achieved so much and to celebrate this occasion we will be celebrating around the country with lots of activity to thank our customers who we value immensely, the climax of the celebration will be an event were we will change 11 peoples lives for ever!"

Since the beginning when it was it first offered mobile services through its Al Jawal offering STC has grown phenomenally each year, bringing the Saudi people a wider choice of services to help them in their ever dynamic and evolving lifestyles. When it launched in 1998 it had 600.000 customers and in 2000 it grow to 1.4 million and again in 2.5 million after the introduction of Sawa, by 2002 it reached 5 million, 2004 and now in December 2005 it has more than 11 million subscribers.