The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has issued new regulations governing deployment of telecommunication networks to construction sites.

The rules cover the development stages of land plots, residential, commercial and governmental projects, and are aimed at making sure telecom installation works are better co-ordinated with the introduction of other utilities.

In a statement sent in Arabic by CITC to Zawya, it said the aim of the new rules was to reduce the frequency of drilling, and to achieve economic efficiency in line with international best practices.

The regulations cover the rights and obligations of property owners, developers and ICT providers related to infrastructure for the implementation of external and internal telecommunications networks and access to networks, the statement added.

CITC said that by implementing telecom network deployment regulations in the early stages of a development, it would reduce the cost of early delivery and the provision of ICT services to users. It argued that this would help to stimulate investment in telecom infrastructure in the kingdom, promoting the adoption of 5G networks and smart city infrastructure.

What do these regulations cover?

- Details on broadband and fiber optic services provision into buildings

- Provision of options for users to select the appropriate service provider

- Enabling modern services and advanced technologies

- Providing quality telecommunication services

- Readiness of new buildings for broadband services

Last year, the volume of spending on telecommunications and information technology services in Saudi Arabia reached more than 136 billion Saudi riyals ($36 billion). The revenues from telecommunications services also amounted to about 70 billion Saudi riyals in 2017.

(Reporting by Nada Al Rifai; Editing by Michael Fahy)

(nada.rifai@thomsonreuters.com)

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