TAWAL of stc Group fully acquires Awal Telecom in Pakistan

TAWAL, the leading Saudi ICT infrastructure company, a stc Group subsidiary, has announced its entry into Pakistan market via a full acquisition of Awal Telecom. The move is TAWAL’s first foray outside Saudi Arabia, and an initial step in its international expansion roadmap.

In principle, TAWAL agreed on a full acquisition of Pakistani tower company AWAL Telecom from its shareholders. The acquisition will see TAWAL bringing significant capital investment, processes, and expertise and introduce innovative products.

Subject to regulatory approval from the Pakistani authorities, the deal will see AWAL rebranded as TAWAL Pakistan, form the launchpad of TAWAL’s operations in Pakistan. AWAL, a fully licensed operation by Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, currently builds and operates the country’s northwest region primarily.

Eng. Olayan Alwetaid, Chief Executive Officer of stc Group said: “We are pleased of TAWAL’s -a stc Group subsidiary-, entry into Pakistan market. TAWAL is anticipating fruitful partnerships with the country’s mobile network operators meeting the robust telecom’s infrastructure demand. We believe TAWAL has a strong position, extending its footprint outside Saudia and exploring opportunities in key regional and global markets.”

Mohammed Alhakbani, Chief Executive Officer, TAWAL said. “Pakistan is an exciting, growing potential market. TAWAL is anticipating extending its digital transformation and ICT infrastructure development capabilities. The country is witnessing growing mobile service penetration, creating infrastructural demand that TAWAL will address. We are excited to add the AWAL team to our international operations under TAWAL umbrella, laying groundworks for further global expansion.”

With four major mobile network operators Pakistan services 238 million people. It’s the 5^th most populous country after China, India, America and Indonesia (excluding the European Union). With over 189 million cellular subscribers, 108 million-plus 3G/4G subscribers, mobile voice and broadband subscriptions, Pakistan saw double-digit growth in recent years. The 4G LTE - 5G mobile networks’ expansion, is expected to drive market’s, revenue growth, and wider availability. Currently there are fewer than 40,000 tower sites.

TAWAL has over 15,500 telecom towers in Saudia and operates under the Communications and Information Technology Commission license-2019, providing infrastructure wholesale services. TAWAL is supporting Saudi’s digital transformation plans, Vision 2030, and expanding reach through smart-city-ready technologies like: camouflage telecom towers, 5G and IoT smart poles, in-building solutions (IBS), and small cells.