Saudi Arabia’s Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has invited bids for a new satellite licence to expand broadband services to remote regions. Companies eligible for bidding include Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) and its broadband subsidiary Bayanat Al-Oula, Zain Saudi Arabia, Etihad Atheeb (GO Telecom) and Integrated Telecom Company (ITC). Abdulaziz Al-Ruwais, Governor of CITC, said the move is part of the country’s 2020 National Transformation Plan of the telecoms sector, which targets wireless broadband coverage of 70% of homes in remote areas by 2020. The project will provide services to more than 140,000 people in 13 regions across Saudi Arabia.