Ashraf Abo Arafe
Saudi Arabia ranked second in the list of G20 countries for the total allocation of globally recognized frequency bands for the provision of mobile telecommunications services, according to the reports and statistics of the countries’ allocation of frequency bands.
Following the Kingdom’s implementation of the National Frequency Spectrum Plan to support the expansion of the new generation of telecommunications and information technology services, and to support digital transformation plans through the National Transition Program 2020, which aimed to raise spectrum allocations for the provision of mobile telecommunications services and to develop integrated plans to prioritize the vacancy, redeployment and allocation of frequency bands in a way that would improve the quality and speed of mobile Internet services in the Kingdom.
In this regard, His Excellency the Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Salem Al-Ruwais, affirmed that the Kingdom’s ICT sector is supported by the wise leadership and contributed to the Kingdom being among the developed countries in this vital sector. All relevant government sectors and fruitful cooperation in the implementation of this project.
According to a recent report by Speed Test, a global mobile speed measurement company, the kingdom has succeeded in increasing spectrum allocations by increasing the average mobile Internet speed from 9.2 Mbps by the end of September 2017 to 37.5 Mbps At the end of May 2019.
It is noteworthy that the spectrum is the basis for the provision of technology and wireless services in various fields, and one of the natural resources owned by the state. The Council of Ministers is authorized to approve the national plan for distribution, after being prepared by the Communications and Information Technology Commission, in line with the latest technologies to enable the provision of wireless communications quality.
