Page 143 - SAMENA Trends - February 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia

In a first-of-its-kind initiative for the Kingdom, the Communications network operators (MVNOs) in the Kingdom, by publishing a
and Information Technology Commission (CITC) launched an document that answers inquires submitted by interested parties.
open access agreement between all six telecommunications The document, which is available on CITC’s website, answered
companies, guaranteeing the provision of broadband services the most prominent questions about the license, including
through any subscriber-selected service provider, independent questions related to Consortium and Partners, FBP Host, Process
of infrastructure ownership. The agreement was signed by the and Evaluation, and MVNO Operations. The commission invited
CEOs of each of the telecoms providers, which included Saudi interested parties to submit applications according to the
Telecom Company (STC), Saudi Mobily Company (Mobily), Mobile competition’s requirements by May 10, 2020.
Telecommunications Company Saudi Arabia (Zain), Integrated (February 17, 2020) citc.gov.sa
Telecom Company (ITC), Dawiyat Integrated, and Etihad
Atheeb Telecom (GO). The initiative aims to utilize the existing As part its continuous effort to improve Saudi domain names
infrastructure, encourage competition, attract investment, and services (.sa or .السعودية), The Communication and Information
increase broadband subscriptions by improving service quality Technology Commission (CITC) updated the ‘Saudi Domain Name
and consumer choice. During the signing ceremony, H.E. Dr. Registration Regulation’ to adopt the “Registry-Registrar” model,
Mohammed Al Tamimi, Governor of the CITC, praised the initiative one of the most efficient practices in the domain name industry.
for its success in uniting the efforts of communications service The “Registry-Registrar” model allows registering Saudi domain
providers under the new agreement. “By increasing access to names through accredited Registrars from the private sector. The
broadband networks for individuals and businesses, this initiative new version of ‘Saudi Domain Name Registration Regulation’
will help further optimize our country’s resources while building a included replacing the objections article with an article about
cohesive digital community, in line with the Kingdom’s ambitious Domain Name Dispute Resolution. As well as, adding an article
plans.” Dr. Al Tamimi added, “The adoption of an open access about handling complaints, and other changes to support adopting
model will increase the use of Saudi’s fiber-optic infrastructure the “Registry-Registrar” model. The Regulation also stated that
through the development of commercial agreements that make registrants shall be bound by any revised terms and conditions as
it easier for subscribers to choose any provider they prefer” The well as any additional terms and conditions in the Domain Name
governor also commended the level of cooperation between Registration Regulation, or any related regulations or procedures.
participating telecoms companies throughout the development of CITC announced that these changes go into effect after (30)
the open access initiative. The Kingdom’s digital transformation days of publishing the new version on SaudiNIC’s website, and
has accelerated significantly since the launch of Vision 2030, encouraged all registrants to update their information. As well as,
with its ICT sector valued at $28.7 billion, the largest in the Arab updating the administrative and technical contacts’ information
world. According to the International Telecommunication Union, for all their Saudi domain names, in preparation for any additional
Saudi Arabia has an internet penetration rate of 93% versus the future changes, especially those in relation to domain name
global average of 53%. Additionally, the Kingdom was the first dispute resolution or fees.
adopter of commercial 5G technology in the region and the third (February 10, 2020) citc.gov.sa
largest globally and recently jumped 93 places to 12th in global
rankings for internet speed, with an average download speed of Saudi Arabian fixed line and broadband operator Etihad Atheeb
57.46 Mbps. Telecom (GO Telecom) has received approval from the Capital
(February 23, 2020) citc.gov.sa Market Authority (CMA) to reduce its capital by 34.8% from
SAR350.53 million (USD93.4 million) to SAR28.53 million, with
The Communications and Information Technology Commission its number of shares to drop from 35.05 million to 22.85 million.
clarified the details of the request to obtain a license to provide The CMA’s authorization is conditional on the proposal being
the services of virtual mobile communications network operators approved by the company’s extraordinary general assembly and
(MVNO) in the Kingdom, by publishing a document that answers the completion of necessary procedures, the statement added.
the questions of the interested and making it available to the GO’s board of directors recommended the capital reduction in
public through its official website. The Communications and January 2020 in order to offset 67.41% of total accumulated
Information Technology Commission (CITC) revealed more losses.
details about requests to obtain the license for new mobile virtual (February 5, 2020) commsupdate.com

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