RIYADH, 29 February 2004 — The Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has been helping prop up the Saudi economy and the public by contracting most if its projects to Saudi companies and establishments, according to STC President Khalid ibn Abdullah Al-Mulhem.
“Riyadh International Communication and IT Conference is held at a time when telecommunication, both in theory and in application, has reached unprecedented levels as a result of modern technologies,” he said.
One of the local companies which the STC depends on is Detecon Al-Saudia Ltd. (DETASAD), a specialized company with vast experience in all fields of information technology and telecommunication, i.e., management consultancy, engineering, planning, project management and operation and maintenance, and system integration.
Its customers are enterprises using state-of-the-art information technology and telecommunications solutions. Powered by problem-solving expertise, it “creates innovative, future compliant and solid platforms for our clients’ projects. Our projects have support from either DETASAD’s head office in Riyadh or DETECON International, T-Systems International, and Deutsche Telekom. It’s a licensed VSAT Service Provider in the Kingdom”.
The technologies referred to have contributed to the development of communication in its various elements: Transmission, reception, distribution and documentation. As such, providing telecommunication services is no longer a routine business but has evolved into an industry and a profession, whose delivery requires the availability of modern scientific foundations, and elements of high quality and professionalism.
He said that in order to accommodate the modern and advanced communications technologies that are spreading worldwide, STC has undertaken major efforts to restructure and transform all its facilities to be ready for the next stage, to cover wide horizons with exceptional performance.
STC always seeks to build upon basic principles that will allow it to withstand current competition and challenges, and to achieve success with the help of the efforts of its staff and clients.
When someone reviews the telecommunication history and accomplishments in the Kingdom, he will find how great is the difference between the early beginnings of the Kingdom and where we are today.
“STC was able to build an information network, which is considered one of the largest and most advanced networks in the Middle East by utilizing modern technologies that match international networks, by containing a large volume of information and its connectivity to the world and neighboring countries via advanced fiber optics, enabling it to be an important center, and to be at the highest levels of readiness and preparedness to accommodate advanced electronics in the region,” he said. He noted that “this also allows strengthening its role in educational and telemedicine applications, and other areas of staying current with evolving new technologies and increasing demand for communication services.
This was undertaken under the auspices and support of the Saudi government which resulted in complete success in accomplishing the first phase of delivering services to the Saudi society as quickly as possible and throughout the vast regions.
He said that privatization of the communications sector has made possible broad opportunities that stimulated economic activity, increased national income averages, as well as human resource development.
“Privatization has contributed to many changes of understanding of realities at STC that led to improvements of service and great increase in its availability to cover all the needs of the subscriber,” he said.
The rates for all services have also been reduced. Privatization has also improved both the morale and physical situation of the employees. More than 23,000 employees work at engineering, administrative and technical disciplines of STC.
Saudis account for 87% of all STC staff. Training and the development of Saudi skills and capabilities are the highest priority of the company’s Saudization plan.
It is noteworthy that the total number of fixed lines in the Kingdom is now estimated at 4 million, with total mobile lines estimated at 7 million, and the company provides Internet services to an estimated 1.5 million users, in addition to the continued offering of a variety of new services.
“On the occasion of organizing this international event, STC is pleased to welcome all guests and participants, and looks forward to future cooperation for the advancement of communications services in this important part of the world,” he said.
