to download the complete report - GulfBase.com
to download the complete report - GulfBase.com
to download the complete report - GulfBase.com
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Tele<strong>com</strong> Sec<strong>to</strong>r<br />
Tele<strong>com</strong> Sec<strong>to</strong>r Reforms<br />
» Post establishment of Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) in 2001,<br />
various initiatives were under<strong>to</strong>ok <strong>to</strong> actively develop <strong>the</strong> Kingdom’s tele<strong>com</strong>munications sec<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
» Saudi Tele<strong>com</strong> Company had a full monopoly over <strong>the</strong> mobile market until 2003, when <strong>the</strong> second<br />
mobile license was granted in 2004 <strong>to</strong> Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily).<br />
» In March 2007, a consortium led by Zain of Kuwait won <strong>the</strong> third mobile license with a bid of US$6.1bn,<br />
and launched its services in 2008.<br />
» The fixed market was liberalized when three consortia- led by Bahrain Tele<strong>com</strong>munications (Batelco),<br />
Hong Kong’s PCCW and US based Verizon Communications won three fixed line licenses in April 2007,<br />
bringing <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>tal number of fixed line licenses in <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>to</strong> four and ending STC’s monopoly over<br />
fixed lines.<br />
» These reforms facilitated in stimulating <strong>the</strong> investments in <strong>the</strong> tele<strong>com</strong>munications sec<strong>to</strong>r and create a<br />
<strong>com</strong>petitive environment that provides services at fair charges.<br />
Global Investment House 53 Saudi Arabia Economic Overview - January 2009
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