In 1977, the Ministry of Post, Telegraphs and Telephones (which had taken over PTT responsibilities from the Ministry of Communications) embarked upon an ambitious plan to establish a modern telecommunications network, comprising telephone, telegraph and telex services, for the entire Kingdom. The Ministry’s achievements have been remarkable by any yardstick.

In May 1998 Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications service was privatized. The new company, known as the Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC), had a capital of over SR 10 billion during the first phase. STC was to become one of the Kingdom’s largest employers, providing jobs for more than 70,000 Saudis. There were plans to add 1.7 million new telephone lines across the country in the next three to four years.

In May, 2003, the Ministry of Post, Telegraphs & Telephones was renamed the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology.

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