Saudi Telecom Company, or STC, is a leading provider of telecommunications services in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. It was founded on April 21, 1998, by the government of Saudi Arabia. The company offers a wide range of services, such as fixed-line, mobility, broadband internet, and digital television.
The visual identity of STC reflected its role as a state-owned telecom provider. The original logo was formal and institutional and was designed to communicate trust, national pride, and reliability. The article delves into the various logo variants of STC, among other details, of the company.
The Genesis of the STC Logo (1998 – 2008)
The original logo featured the brand name in both Arabic (above) and English (below) and an emblem. The brand name in both languages was in light blue colour, and the letters in English had subtle curves and serifs. The emblem to the right of the wordmarks had two interconnected chain links in blue and orange-yellow against a white background at the core. The links symbolised universal connection, which is the essence of telecommunications. The links were present inside a square with yellow and blue accents at the top and bottom.
(2008 – 2015)
In 2008, the logo was changed, and the brand name of the company was abbreviated to “STC”. The letters formed by the strokes of equal thickness were placed to the left of the emblem. They were written in a simple sans-serif typeface. The Arabic lettering showed the full name of the company but was made smaller and positioned below the English version.
The emblem to the right had new vibrant colours, such as shades of light and dark purple, along with several shades of yellow. Its abstract shape looked more like an ice cream or a bird. The gradient used in the emblem gave it a three-dimensional effect.
(2015 – 2019)
The logo of 2015 was a refined version of the previous logo. For instance, the ends of the letters had diagonally rounded ends, which gave them a dynamic style. The emblem too was refined, albeit subtly.
(2019 – Present)
In December 2019, STC unveiled a bold new logo and brand identity designed by Interbrand. It features a clean, lowercase “stc” in a modern, sans-serif LL Circular typeface. A tiny portion at the top of the letter “t” seems to be shifted out to reveal a tiny white square.
The simplicity and confidence of the design reflect the digital-first strategy and approachability of the company. The purple colour was chosen for its distinctiveness in the regional telecom market. It also helped STC stand out from competitors who traditionally use blue or green.
The Elements of the STC Logo
Font
The monogram “stc” is written in a customised, modern sans-serif LL Circular typeface with classic proportions.
Colour
The STC logo uses a two-colour combination of purple and white.
The History of STC
Saudi Telecom Company (STC) was established on April 21, 1998, as a Saudi joint-stock company by Royal Decree No. M/35. This move was part of a broader government strategy to modernise and privatise key sectors of the Saudi economy. It also entailed transforming the telecommunications division of the Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone into an independent commercial entity. STC began providing telecommunications services across Saudi Arabia on May 2, 1998, and received its commercial registration on June 29, 1998. Initially, the company was fully owned by the Saudi government.
In September 2002, the Saudi government initiated the partial privatisation of STC by offering 30% of its shares to the public, that is, 20% to Saudi citizens and 10% to major Saudi pension funds. This was part of a broader national privatisation programme aimed at increasing competitiveness and efficiency in vital sectors, including telecommunications. The initial public offering (IPO) was completed in January 2003, which marked a significant milestone in the journey of the company.
After privatisation, STC rapidly expanded its service offerings and infrastructure. The company launched DSL broadband and introduced 3G and 3.5G mobile networks and quickly reached 10 million subscribers. In 2006, STC increased its capital from SAR 15 billion to SAR 20 billion. It was funded by retained earnings and reflected its robust financial growth.
The company began expanding internationally by acquiring stakes in MAXIS Communications, which had operations in Indonesia and India, and by securing mobile licences in Kuwait and Bahrain. During this period, STC also introduced bundled services and IPTV. It connected over 500,000 homes with fibre-optic internet and further strengthened its position as a leading telecommunications provider in the region.
Interesting Facts About STC
- STC is the leading telecommunications provider in Saudi Arabia, both in terms of revenue and market share. It plays a crucial role in the country’s digital infrastructure.
- The company was founded in 1998 as part of the Saudi government’s plan to restructure the telecommunications sector and encourage privatisation. It was initially state-owned but went public in 2003. However, the government still holds a significant stake.
- STC has expanded beyond Saudi Arabia. It has investments and operations in Kuwait (through STC Kuwait), Bahrain (via its majority stake in VIVA Bahrain), and Malaysia and Indonesia (investments through subsidiaries). This makes it a key regional player in the Middle East and Asia.
- STC was among the first telecom companies in the region to launch 5G services. This was to pioneer next-gen mobile connectivity in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
- STC is consistently recognised as the most valuable telecommunications brand in the Middle East, according to Brand Finance’s Global 500 2023 Report.
- The company has won numerous awards, which include Best Middle Eastern Connectivity Provider at the Global Connectivity Awards 2024 and the Cloud Initiative of the Year at the 2024 Asian Telecom Awards for its private cloud platform.
- In recent years, STC has ranked among the most profitable companies in the Middle East. It’s also one of the most valuable brands in Saudi Arabia.
- STC plays a strategic role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Accordingly, it supports digital transformation, smart cities, e-government, and innovation in the ICT sector.
- At LEAP23, STC signed over 40 agreements with major global and local technology companies. These include Huawei, Ericsson, Samsung, and Telefónica, to drive innovation and expand its service offerings.
- STC launched “stc pay”, a digital wallet and fintech platform that has rapidly grown in popularity. It has become the first licensed digital bank in Saudi Arabia after gaining approval from the Saudi Central Bank.
- STC is known for major sports and entertainment sponsorships. These include deals with international brands and regional football clubs to enhance its visibility and brand loyalty.
- The company serves over 26 million mobile subscribers in Saudi Arabia alone and has 2.3 million subscribers in Kuwait. In fact, it holds a 37% revenue market share in Kuwait.
- The headquarters of STC in Riyadh is a prominent and recognisable building in the capital. The imposing building symbolises the stature of STC as a corporate giant.
- STC sold a vacant land plot in Khobar city for SAR 1.378 billion, which highlighted the scale of its assets and investments.
- STC has set ambitious environmental targets. These include achieving a 50% reduction in carbon emissions (scope 1 and 2) by 2030, achieving net zero by 2050, and planting 1 million trees by 2030.
- In January 2025, STC signed a contract worth SR32.64 billion with a Saudi government entity to build and operate telecommunications infrastructure over 15 years.
- STC operates and is building 25 data centres to support its ambitions in cloud computing and digital transformation. It is investing heavily in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IoT (Internet of Things) through its subsidiary Solutions by STC.
Finally
The STC logo and its variants are a case study in how visual identity can reflect and drive business transformation. Each iteration of the logo has marked a new phase in the company’s journey, that is, from a national telecom operator to a leading digital enabler in the Middle East. This is in alignment with the Kingdom’s vision for a modern and diversified economy.