Saudi Arabia’s top telecommunications provider stc group has ordered a dedicated satellite from Astranis to provide satellite communication services.
Astranis builds smaller Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites than traditional GEOs. Customer stc group will have full control over the payload configuration and coverage, with Astranis noting that data will remain in the region with “enterprise-grade” security.
The satellite is set for Astranis’ upcoming Block 3 dedicated Falcon 9 launch and will take the place of one of the satellites for Mexican telecommunications provider Apco Networks, an Astranis spokesperson confirmed to Via Satellite. Apco Networks ordered two Astranis satellites in 2023 and the second satellite will fly on a later block.
“We work closely with customers to shift satellites on our launch manifest depending on their needs. That flexibility is a core part of the Astranis business model,” the spokesperson said.
The current customer manifest for Block 3 is Thaicom, Chunghwa Telecom, Apco Networks, MB Group, and stc group. The satellites are progressing through assembly, integration, and test (AIT) and launch is ont rack for a window in the first quarter of 2027, the spokesperson confirmed.
“This is a great example of how Astranis is building out the infrastructure of high orbits, helping countries around the world build and deliver the essential services that they need,” Astranis CEO John Gedmark said in a statement. “Our customers control coverage, payload configuration, and the networking stack end to end. While data stays in-country, private and secure.”
For stc group, this order marks a “new benchmark for secure and reliable connectivity,” commented Mohammad Alabbadi, group chief carrier & wholesale officer at stc group
“As stc plays a key role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure, space has become a critical layer of our ecosystem, with dedicated satellite capacity central to how we deliver resilient, reliable, and secure connectivity across the country. Astranis’ speed and flexibility made them the right partner for this stage of that work,” Alabbadi said.
This is Astranis’ second recent dedicated satellite deal in the Middle East region; it is also delivering a satellite for Omani conglomerate MB Group, also planned for the Block 3 launch.
