CITC Awards Additional Spectrum In 2300MHz And 2600MHz Bands

Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has awarded new frequencies for 4G/5G use to Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) and Zain Saudi Arabia. The regulator disclosed that it granted a total of 290MHz in the two bands, bringing the total spectrum allocated in the Kingdom to 710MHz. STC confirmed the allocation by announcing that it had secured spectrum in the 2300MHz band, for use from January 2020. The operator paid SAR360 million (USD96 million) for the 15-year spectrum concession, to be payable in equal installments starting 1 January 2020, adding that the ‘investment will be internally-financed from the company, and is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s financial results’.

The new frequencies will increase the capacity of STC’s mobile network to meet the growing demand for services, while also enhancing the speed and quality of its mobile data services, the operator added.―Tele Geography