STC: main strategy in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Khaled Biyari, Group CEO of STC talks about the strategy for STC.

In terms of market share and profitability, what is STC’s main strategy in Saudi Arabia over the next three years?

Market share is not one of the major drivers. Telecom companies can have a false market share, that is, where you have a significant market share but the average revenue per customer is low. The better indicator of a company’s health is ROIs and financial returns. STC focuses on such indicators.

Telcos will continue to invest in such a way that the ROI to shareholders is positive and can fulfill certain other obligations to customers. We want to be a very positive catalyst for moving Saudi Arabia into the knowledge-based society that the Kingdom has declared (through providing the right infrastructure and strategy execution).

We carry these obligations as one of our major strategic initiatives. However, at the end of the day, as a company that is also responsible to its shareholders, we will always look into appropriate measures to ensure that we always achieve the right ROIs.

Additionally, one element that I have personally focused on is creating a happy work environment for our employees. Therefore, a challenge for management is creating a working environment where STC employees are not only proud, but also enjoying their work. In such an environment, you are almost assured that your objectives will be met.