Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) announced the issuance of a bid to allow new mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to provide services in Saudi Arabia.
CITC continues to develop and improve the telecom market in the Kingdom by encouraging the provisioning of MVNO services and making amendments and improvements to its regulations.
The Commission has prepared a Request for Applications document for Licensing of Mobile Virtual Network Operator Services in Saudi Arabia for the purpose of issuing two licenses.
Since 2014, mobile telecommunications services in the Kingdom are offered by Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC) Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) and Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) Saudi Arabia (Zain).
Two other operator services were licensed in 2014 including Virgin Mobile Saudi consortium (Virgin) and Etihad Jawraa for Telecom and Information Technology Company (Lebara).
The Commission is authorized to encourage reliance on market forces to provide telecommunications and information technology services, and encourage investment in its services, equipment, and provide them at affordable prices and high quality in all regions.
CITC governor Mohammed al-Tamimi revealed that offering the two licenses should boost investment opportunities in the sector, support entrepreneurship, and enhance the content industry.
Tamimi emphasized that the Saudi telecommunications and information technology sector is vital and keeps pace with the developments of the industry.
He stressed that this step comes in line with the Commission’s approach to enhance the investment environment for the telecommunications services market in the Kingdom.
CITC announced the licensing conditions and process and called on interested parties to obtain their request for application (RFA)
Potential applicants may submit any questions they have concerning the RFA by no later than using the communication protocol, and the Commission will publish the answers on its website.
Applications may be submitted under the procedure stated at any time prior to May 10, 2020, 3.00 PM Riyadh time.
Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) means a Licensed Service Provider that resells wholesale mobile network services which are leased or purchased from a Host FBP in order to provide retail services to the MVNO’s subscribers without spectrum assignment or radio access network.
