RIYADH — The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) published a follow up public consultation on its “Spectrum Outlook for Commercial and Innovative Use 2021-2023”, along with responses received to the previous public consultation, which took place in July 2020, on “Spectrum for IMT-2020 and beyond: Fostering Commercial and Innovative Use of Radio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.

The consultation proposes a plan to release more than 20 GHz of additional radio spectrum, with the aim of promoting further innovation and investment in multiple wireless technologies within the Kingdom’s commercial sector.

This progressive spectrum policy aims to enable Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a leading digital society, in line with Vision 2030 and CITC's National Spectrum Strategy (NSS).

CITC is inviting all interested parties, both local and international, to provide comments on the updated spectrum outlook. CITC welcomes the participation of telecom and technology providers, industrial stakeholders, public entities, members of the public as well as consumers of telecom and digital services. Submissions can be made until Feb. 28 2021.

CITC is leading a global initiative to “foster commercial and innovative use of spectrum”, to capitalize on this finite resource. This initiative seeks to enable the digital transformation of the Kingdom and the world, and comes as a part of CITC’s transition to become a digital regulator.

This latest publication presents a draft spectrum outlook, reflecting the stakeholder’s comments following the July consultation. The initial consultation received comments and submissions from 65 organizations, spanning 20 different countries, which were also published along with CITC’s responses.

CITC thanked all those who responded to the initial consultation. Interested parties will now have a second opportunity to review and comment on the response document and the updated 5-year spectrum outlook, prior to its finalization and adoption. — SG