Saudi Telecom Company Wins Platinum Gaming Operator Award for 2026

Riyadh:The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) has released its Q2 2026 Game Mode report, highlighting a 60% improvement in the performance quality of telecom service providers in Saudi Arabia compared to the same period in 2025. According to Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Telecom Company (stc) received the prestigious Platinum Gaming Operator Award for providing the best gaming performance in the Kingdom during the first half of 2026. The award was based on several evaluation criteria, including the enhancement of the gaming experience, support for cloud gaming platforms, gaming bundles, local hosting services, and community engagement. The report also included game download speed performance results across various gaming platforms in Saudi Arabia. STEAM achieved a 100% game download speed performance, with Mobily, stc, and Salam sharing the top rank. PlayStation recorded 98% with the same set of providers leading, while Mobily and Salam topped the rankings for XBOX at 98%. Additionally, stc and Mobily were recognized for their leading latency performance in five games: Call of Duty, EA Sports FC, Marvel Rivals, eFootball, and Overwatch. stc claimed the top spot in eight games, including StarCraft II, Call of Duty: Mobile, League of Legends, VALORANT, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, Teamfight Tactics, and Mobile Legends. Mobily ranked first in Free Fire and PUBG, while Zain led in Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile. Practical guidelines were also shared in the report to improve internet quality for online gaming, including securing home networks and optimizing connected devices. Users are encouraged to participate in the Game Mode initiative by registering for the 'Meqyas' FTTH Internet Device, which allows tracking of internet performance and app quality. The report, updated quarterly, also provides insights into trending games and performance metrics, showcasing telecom providers' efforts in supporting the gaming community. The Game Mode initiative is part of CST's strategy to foster competition among te lecom service providers, enhance the gaming experience, and improve market transparency by publishing performance data. It aims to provide valuable insights for investors and stakeholders regarding market performance in Saudi Arabia.