TAWAL to construct 1,000 new towers in 2025: CEO

Mohammed Alhakbani said CEO of Telecommunication Towers Co. Ltd. (TAWAL)

Telecommunication Towers Co. Ltd. (TAWAL) invests over SAR 1 billion annually in network expansion and development, CEO Mohammed Alhakbani said.

He noted that Saudi Arabia’s strong economic growth supports TAWAL’s continuous expansion and service enhancements. The company plans to build 1,000 new towers this year.

Speaking to Argaam on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 conference, Alhakbani outlined TAWAL’s key strategic goals, which focus on network expansion and service quality improvement.

This year, the company aims to construct over 1,000 new towers and upgrade more than 4,000 towers to accommodate the latest technologies, particularly 5G. TAWAL is supporting major national projects, including Qiddiya, Diriyah, NEOM, AlUla, and the Red Sea, he added.

As the region’s leading telecom infrastructure provider, TAWAL currently operates 16,000 towers across Saudi Arabia and 21,000 towers in five different markets, according to Alhakbani.

With the recent merger of GLIC and TAWAL under a deal between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and stc, the total number of towers will rise to 30,000, positioning TAWAL among the world’s top 15 telecom tower companies.

Alhakbani highlighted that the company surpassed its financial and operational targets and anticipates even greater achievements in 2025. He emphasized that recent ownership changes involving stc and PIF will provide TAWAL with additional momentum to achieve its ambitious goals.

TAWAL has signed over 15 agreements with partners, particularly in value-added and support services such as indoor coverage solutions. Recent agreements include a partnership with Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) to enhance coverage in entertainment areas, a deal with OneWeb for satellite connectivity, and a collaboration with Arabian Centres Co. (Cenomi Centers) to support shopping malls.

Alhakbani stressed that the telecom sector reflects Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation, with major projects requiring a robust and reliable infrastructure. He noted that TAWAL plays a crucial role in this transition, especially as the Kingdom prepares to host global events, including Expo 2030 and international sporting tournaments.