Saudi Arabia to Auction Spectrum for Enhanced 5G Services and Connectivity

​The Communications, Space and Technology Commission of Saudi Arabia announced the holding of the fifth frequency spectrum auction to provide International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services in the bands (600, 700 and 3800) MHz, on October 16.

The Authority published an information document and auction rules that allow licensed service providers to participate in it. By making these frequencies available, the Authority seeks to improve the coverage of fifth generation networks, raise the level of service quality on roads, border crossings, and passenger train routes, and enhance Internet speeds for users, in addition to developing investment. And stimulate competitiveness in wireless services.

The Authority explained that holding the auction is a step that strengthens the Kingdom’s leadership position in the communications and technology sector, and also comes within its efforts to implement the “Plan for Enabling Commercial and Innovative Use of the Frequency Spectrum 2021-2023,” which it adopted in 2020, and based on its strategic role in enabling fifth generation networks in The Kingdom is thus classified as the first country in Europe, Africa and the Middle East to make the 600 MHz band frequencies available, and the first in the world in the total number of frequencies licensed for international mobile telecommunications systems for bands less than 5 GHz.

The document included the various design elements and rules of the auction, such as dividing the channels into different bands, the technical and regulatory conditions, in addition to the mechanism for determining the eligibility of the competition to participate, and the obligations and opening prices associated with the channels offered in this auction.

The Authority invites licensed service providers to participate in the auction, where you can view the information document and auction rules for the bands (600, 700 and 3800) MHz