How is Etihad Salam Telecom Company driving the advancement of Saudi Arabia’s ICT market?
Etihad Salam Telecom Company is actively propelling the progress of Saudi Arabia’s ICT market by adhering to its guiding principle “Human Inspired, Business Focused”. This philosophy captures Etihad Salam Telecom Company ‘s commitment to using digital innovation not just to advance business processes, but to also positively affect societal well-being. The company has evolved from simply providing digital infrastructure to becoming a driving force behind transformative solutions that emphasise significant interactions and results for various communities and industries.
By focusing on empowering the SME sector, Etihad Salam Telecom Company enhances their operational efficacy and advances the accessibility of high-level tools while strengthening security measures to counter emerging digital threats efficiently. As 5G technology rapidly advances, Etihad Salam Telecom Company leads in developing future-proof connectivity options that offer exceptional speed and dependability, thus opening a realm of opportunities for businesses and society at large. Moreover, Etihad Salam Telecom Company is dedicated to adopting eco-friendly technologies, aligning with the global shift towards sustainability and the promotion of environmental care.
With cybersecurity being a top priority, how is Etihad Salam Telecom Company addressing evolving security threats and ensuring digital resilience for businesses and consumers?
Etihad Salam Telecom Company is taking steps to strengthen its security infrastructure and services in anticipation of the unique needs presented by the digital era, therefore providing robust protection for both businesses and consumers. The company’s proactive stance is evidenced by the implementation of innovative solutions such as SalamBot, which incorporates advanced technologies to fend off a range of cybersecurity hazards.
Understanding the market dynamics has helped inform Etihad Salam Telecom Company’s strategic decisions, and this is crucial given the anticipated expansion in Saudi Arabia’s data security and cybersecurity markets. The data security market in the country is expected to reach a volume of $20.33 million by 2029, gaining momentum with an estimated growth rate of 11.13 percent between 2025 and 2029. Meanwhile, the cybersecurity market is predicted to grow at a rate of 8.46 percent during the same period, with an expected market volume of $687.00 million by 2029.
Reflecting on Kaspersky’s telemetry, there’s a notable decrease in the number of cyberattacks in Saudi Arabia, with 40 million incidents reported in the first 11 months of 2024, marking a 44 percent reduction from the previous year. This indicates significant progress in cyber defence. With 62 percent of entities prioritising the optimisation of existing technology and investments to safeguard their digital environment, Etihad Salam Telecom Company is concentrating its efforts on enhancing the current technological capabilities to maintain resilience. The commitment to digital security is evident as the Saudi Arabia digital security control market, after generating revenue of $359.3 million in 2023, is on a trajectory to hit $780.3 million by 2030. Etihad Salam Telecom Company acknowledges the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats and is placing optimisation at the heart of their strategy to ensure steadfast digital resilience in the telecom sector.
As 5G adoption accelerates, what’s next for Etihad Salam Telecom Company in delivering next-generation connectivity solutions?
Etihad Salam Telecom Company is pushing the boundaries of traditional telecommunications by championing a vision titled “Going Beyond Connectivity.” We focus on building robust digital infrastructure through strategic investments in data centres located in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, as well as international cable landing stations in Al Khobar and Jeddah, which also strategically positions us to bridge the East and West. Our 24,000 km fibre network spanning seven borders strengthens this role, ensuring high-speed, reliable connectivity where it’s needed most.
Etihad Salam Telecom Company’s efforts are particularly evident through its implementation of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fibre-to-the-business (FTTB) solutions, coupled with an early adoption of 5G technology. These innovations are the backbone of next-generation advancements like IoT applications and autonomous vehicles. Beyond broadband, we’re deeply invested in smart city projects, cloud services, and cybersecurity, setting new standards for digital infrastructure in the region.
With Saudi Arabia’s ICT market expected to grow from $54.90 billion in 2025 to $82.51 billion by 2030, and internet penetration rising to 70.99 percent, we know our role is more important than ever. The connected mobility market, projected to grow by 4.71 percent from 2025 to 2029, highlights the need for cutting-edge solutions like 5G Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and Fibre to The Room (FTTR). At Etihad Salam Telecom Company, we’re not just keeping up—we’re leading the charge toward a digitally inclusive future.
Through these innovations, Etihad Salam Telecom Company is setting the stage as an enabler of a digitally inclusive future for the kingdom, serving as a model for how broadband providers can evolve to meet the complex digital demands of tomorrow.
At Etihad Salam Telecom Company, we’re committed to strengthening our digital offerings through strategic partnerships that align with our mission to enhance the ICT ecosystem.
What unique advantages does Etihad Salam Telecom Company bring to businesses and consumers?
Etihad Salam Telecom Company brings unique advantages to businesses and consumers, particularly focusing on digitising SMEs to boost the economic fabric of Saudi Arabia. This strategic emphasis aims to enhance operational efficiency, implement advanced security measures, and equip SMEs with the digital tools necessary for their growth and competitiveness in a digital economy. Etihad Salam Telecom Company has introduced SME Bundle Products to meet the specific needs of SMEs in security, applications, and infrastructure services, which is pivotal considering the SME landscape in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia holds the highest confidence levels among SMEs within the MENA region at 93 percent, showcasing a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, with nearly 900,000 SMEs making up 90 percent of all registered businesses. Despite this, a significant gap remains as 84 percent of these businesses have yet to adopt e-commerce, signalling a substantial opportunity for digital growth and integration.
SMEs play a crucial role in the Saudi economy, contributing 28.7 percent to the GDP as of 2023. The inception of Vision 2030 has fuelled a more than 200 percent increase in the number of SMEs, indicating the sector’s rapid growth and evolving dynamics. By the third quarter of 2023, the number of SMEs reached 1.3 million establishments, employing 6.7 million individuals, as highlighted by the NTP’s Annual Report 2023. The broadband sector is expected to continue its innovative growth, supporting SMEs’ evolving needs as they transition towards digitisation. Broadband services will provide the essential connectivity and technological framework, enabling SMEs to flourish in a digital environment through enhanced service delivery, customer support, and cybersecurity solutions tailored to their needs.
How is Etihad Salam Telecom Company leveraging partnerships to strengthen its digital offerings and enhance its impact on the ICT ecosystem?
At Etihad Salam Telecom Company, we’re committed to strengthening our digital offerings through strategic partnerships that align with our mission to enhance the ICT ecosystem. As we expand, we’re actively seeking data centre collaborations, such as our partnership with TLS, to grow our services and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. We’re also working with global tech leaders to introduce AI-ready data centres and bring cutting-edge AI capabilities to the region.
A key milestone for us is our collaboration with EdgeNext, announced at LEAP 2025, which will enhance service delivery and network capabilities by leveraging our data centre colocation, internet services, and improved connectivity via the Saudi Internet Exchange. Additionally, our partnership with ACES will deliver 25-gigabit internet speeds to residential areas in Riyadh through an Open Access Agreement. By teaming up with National Water Company and Genesys, we’re driving digital transformation, AI automation, and cloud innovation, reinforcing our leadership in the ICT sector.
What role do you see Etihad Salam Telecom Company playing in shaping Saudi Arabia’s digital economy?
Etihad Salam Telecom Company is playing a pivotal role in the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy, closely aligning its broadband expansion efforts with the ambitions of the nation’s digital transformation. The company has established data centres in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar and operates international cable landing stations in both Al Khobar and Jeddah. With its impressively extensive fibre network of 24,000 km, which traverses seven borders, Etihad Salam Telecom Company is leveraging Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographical position to serve as a pivotal connectivity hub between the east and the west.
A central aspect of Etihad Salam Telecom Company’s strategy focuses on expanding its fibre-optic networks to ensure the provision of high-speed and reliable internet services. This is immensely beneficial for data-heavy sectors, which require robust bandwidth and seamless connectivity. Both residential and business customers stand to benefit from Etihad Salam Telecom Company ‘s deployment of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fibre-to-the-business (FTTB) solutions, which are instrumental in enhancing connectivity options across various demographics.
In addition to supporting fibre internet, Etihad Salam Telecom Company is adopting 5G technology, facilitating revolutionary changes such as the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the deployment of autonomous vehicles. The low latency and high bandwidth that 5G offers are critical for the functionality and effectiveness of such cutting-edge technologies. Moreover, Etihad Salam Telecom Company ‘s engagement in smart city initiatives exemplifies its commitment to supplying the requisite infrastructure needed for IoT applications and the analytics of vast datasets.
Etihad Salam Telecom Company continues to invest in cloud service platforms and is poised to further enhance cybersecurity measures. These efforts are tailored to safeguard data privacy and integrity, ensuring a secure environment for the scale-up of digital services. The company is actively forming strategic alliances to deliver industry-specific solutions, which not only strengthens the digital ecosystem but also advances the cause of digital inclusion across Saudi Arabia’s diverse population.
Through these comprehensive efforts, Etihad Salam Telecom Company is actively shaping the trajectory of the digital economy in Saudi Arabia, ensuring that the kingdom remains at the forefront of technological innovation and connectivity in the region and beyond.
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