“The issue of selling part of the company’s shares to citizens is still under consideration,” the STC chief told Arab News.

Press reports have suggested that STC is planning a domestic initial public offering (IPO) early next year that will probably involve around 10 percent of its issued shares.

The Kingdom set up STC in 1998 to prepare for privatization, transferring assets held by the Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones. It is expected to raise revenue of SR20 billion this year, up from SR17 billion last year and SR14.5 billion in 1999.

Milhem said the company had accommodated nearly 5,400 employees, who were previously under the PTT Ministry, providing them with suitable jobs in accordance with their qualifications.

He said the STC would continue to revise tariffs for its various services.

“Our strategy is to make our tariffs competitive at the regional and international level. We review our tariffs regularly and reduce them in tune with our expansion projects,” he stated.

The company has now embarked on a new project to link major business firms, industries and establishments in various parts of the country using optical fiber technology.

“The project will link about 350 sites at a cost of SR250 million,” he said, adding that 180 sites have already been linked.

The project offers vast space for users to receive various services including the Internet and high-speed information circuits. Subscribers of STC’s DSL service are expected to reach 10,000 by the end of next year.