China Telecom Gulf Expands Global Reach with Launch in Saudi Arabia

On November 21, 2024, China Telecom Gulf officially inaugurated its operations in Riyadh, a move aimed at enhancing its international presence and following the directives of the Belt and Road Initiative. This launch represents a significant stride in the company's commitment to fostering a deeper partnership between China and Saudi Arabia, striving for the establishment of a “China-Arab Community with a Shared Future.”

The event featured prominent speeches from various dignitaries, including Mr. Liu Guiqing, Executive Director and EVP of China Telecom Corporation, who passionately articulated the company's vision of openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. Mr. Liu expressed a desire to share insights and experiences in cloud-network integration, cloud transformation, intelligent operations, and technological innovation. He emphasized the aim to collaborate with Saudi governments and enterprises to accelerate the development of local digital infrastructure and advance next-generation information technologies.

China Telecom's move into the Saudi market is marked by a strong commitment to bring advanced technological solutions including 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to corporate clients, institutions, and consumers in the region. By leveraging its extensive resources and operational expertise, the company is set to deliver superior communication products and services tailored to the needs of the Saudi market.

Mr. Fawaz, a representative from the Saudi Contact Office of Chinese Companies, congratulated China Telecom on their entry and acknowledged the significance of this development in supporting digital transformation in Saudi businesses. He conveyed confidence that collaborative efforts would unlock potentials in the digital age and contribute positively to Saudi Arabia’s socio-economic development.

During the inauguration, China Telecom presented its strategic capabilities, showcasing key services such as eSurfing Cloud, specialized computing solutions, quantum technologies, and bespoke 5G network offerings. With operations in 42 countries and ownership of 53 international submarine cables, China Telecom also manages 27 self-operated Internet Data Centers (IDCs), which bolster its global service reach.

In a noteworthy development during the event, China Telecom Gulf established strategic partnerships with local giants such as Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Huawei, and Baud Telecom Company. These alliances are aimed at merging their respective strengths to optimize and enhance the digital experiences available to Saudi customers.

This official launch of China Telecom Gulf is not merely an expansion; it signifies a crucial advancement in the company’s overall global strategy to penetrate the Middle Eastern communications market. Moving ahead, China Telecom Gulf intends to utilize its robust digital infrastructure and resource integration capabilities to collaborate closely with local enterprises, Chinese companies looking to expand, and international partners. Through these endeavors, the company aspires to foster the growth of Sino-Saudi collaboration and develop innovative solutions that support the digital economy in the region.

In conclusion, with its commitment to intelligent technology services and the advancement of digital infrastructure, China Telecom Gulf is poised to play a major role in shaping the landscape of communication in the Middle East, fortifying mutual cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia as it grows its international footprint.