Overview
Saudi Arabia’s telecom and ICT sectors continue to benefit from the range of programs aimed at diversifying the economy away from a dependence on oil and establishing a wider digital transformation over the next decade. An essential element of this has been the widening reach of 5G networks, which by mid-2021 reached about half of the population and the majority of cities.
The competitive mobile sector is serviced by Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain KSA, as also four licensed Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have focussed investment on upgrading LTE infrastructure and further developing 5G. This in part is aimed at generating additional revenue from mobile data services, and also to their contribution to the Vision 2030 program. The ongoing pandemic has resulted in more people working and schooling from home during periods of restricted travel. This has stimulated growth in mobile data traffic, while the government has encouraged non-cash transactions and so helped develop the vast e-commerce market.
While Saudi Arabia’s fixed broadband penetration remains relatively low, there has been a concentration of fibre infrastructure and the Kingdom has developed one of the fastest services in the region.
Telephone Services |
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Is there an existing landline telephone network? |
Yes |
Does it allow international calls? |
Yes |
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) |
No downtime periods |
Mobile Phone Providers |
STC Zain KSA Mobily |
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage |
100% |
Telecommunications Regulations
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is the Government body that oversees all information and communication technology in the Kingdom. It is responsible for planning and implementing the Government’s policies and strategies for the telecoms sector.
The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC)
The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) is responsible for regulating the ICT and postal sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Telecommunications Act, issued by Royal Decree, provide the legal framework for organizing this sector. This Act involves a number of objectives such as: Providing advanced and adequate telecommunication services with affordable prices, creating an appropriate atmosphere to encourage fair competition, using frequencies effectively, localization of telecommunication technology and managing recent advancements, clarity and transparency in procedures, equality and neutrality, protection of the public interest as well as the interest of users and investors.
Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers (the “Council”) must sanction the granting of any licence under the Telecom Act.
Regulations on Usage and Import |
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Regulations in Place? |
Regulating Authority |
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Satellite |
Yes |
CITC |
HF Radio |
Yes |
CITC |
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile |
Yes |
CITC |
UHF/VHF Repeaters |
Yes |
CITC |
GPS |
Yes |
CITC |
VSAT |
Yes |
CITC |
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required |
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CITC has structured the scope of services defined by the infrastructure elements they include. Different requirements and obligations may be placed on licensed entities wishing to offer services that fall within these different service categories.
Any applicant to a license under the regulatory framework shall:
Any licensee regulated under the regulatory framework and offering services under (category A) shall:
For the full requirements and the process please check the following link. |
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Frequency Licenses Required |
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Broadband Satellite Service (BBSS) providers require access to scarce frequency spectrum resources. The Statutes permit CITC to limit the number of licenses to ensure the efficient use of limited spectrum. Applicants must determine the spectrum required from these scarce resources and prove the efficient use of this spectrum. CITC seeks applications from experienced and qualified Applicants who are capable of providing services to users successfully. The following are the requirements that Applicant must meet: Revenue: Potential applicants are required to prove their ability to fund the expenditure needed to establish a BBSS service in Saudi Arabia. Hence, the applicant must submit documented evidence showing relevant ICT sector revenues of at least SAR 25 million per annum for the most recent year for which audited accounts are available. Experience: CITC requires the applicant or a member of the applicant to submit evidence to demonstrate a minimum of 5 years' experience in the provision of ICT services. Information and Documents Required BBSS license applicants shall provide the following information and documents in Arabic with their application, and a translation in English may be submitted with it. If any discrepancies exist, the Arabic version shall prevail:
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Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
There are no existing humanitarian telecoms systems set in the Kingdom however it is possible to be established under the rules and regulations sets by CITC as following:
In addition to the requirements and documents requested in Frequency Licenses Required section it is also requested to submit the following:
- Certified copies of the original documents authorizing the signatory(ies)
- Certified copies of the official identity documents (National ID or iqama) of the authorized signatory(ies) along with the original for verification.
- The Applicant shall submit a certified copy of a valid Commercial Registration along with the original for verification in the name of the Applicant which includes a business activity related to Communications or Information Technology
After CITC has verified that the Applicant has provided all of the required information and the required frequencies are available, the Applicant shall then be requested to:
- Pay the prescribed fees through the SADAD payment system. Details of the relevant invoice number can be obtained by contacting the CITC Financial Accounts Department
- Pay the annual spectrum fees in accordance with the CITC process which is required prior to issuance of the license.
- Submit the final agreement between the applicant and the satellite capacity provider.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
According to The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) report on internet speeds in the Kingdom (Meqyas) for Q3 2020 - In which the report compared the speeds of service providers in the Kingdom through download, upload and 5G speeds, ranks the best performing operators in each region - Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) came in the first place in terms of mobile internet average download speed, with 78.17 Mbps. Meanwhile, Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily) and Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA) came in the second and third places with 67.71 Mbps and 61.58 Mbps, respectively. Zain KSA ranked first in terms of fixed mobile internet average download speed, with 110.88 Mbps, followed by Integrated Telecom with 84.79 Mbps and Mobily with 76.68 Mbps.
Internet Service Providers |
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---|---|---|
Are there ISPs available? |
Yes |
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If yes, are they privately or government owned? |
Both |
|
Dial-up only? |
No |
|
Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) |
Dial-up |
Download speed 200 Mbps Upload Speed 50 Mbps Unlimited Fees : 345 SR per Month |
Broadband |
Unlimited for One Month (5 G) = 350 SR |
|
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth |
Air Fiber 5G (around 10 times faster than 4G.), Free 5G Router capable to Connects up to 64 users, Monthly Subscription Fees: 402.5 SAR |
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
Three main companies handle mobile phones in Saudi Arabia. These are STC (Saudi Telecom Company), Zain, and Mobily.
For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.
Company |
Number of Agent Outlets by Area |
Network Strength by Area |
Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer Programmes? |
Services Offered |
---|---|---|---|---|
STC |
|
Covering all the kingdom |
N/A |
N/A |
Mobily |
239 Outlets and 3,900+ retailers |
Covering all the kingdom |
N/A |
N/A |
Zain |
192+ outlets and 3900+ retailers |
Covering all the kingdom |
N/A |
N/A |