In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the digital infrastructure of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Communications and Space Technology Commission (CITC) has released a draft of the updated National Spectrum Plan through the National Competitiveness Center's "Survey" platform. This initiative seeks to engage the public, specialists, and relevant stakeholders in shaping the new regulatory changes, ensuring alignment of local policies with the latest international standards. This will enhance the efficient use of limited natural resources and solidify the principle of transparency in the management of the Kingdom's communications and technology sector.
Pillars of the new modernization and its strategic objectives
The proposed document focuses on four key strategic pillars, all aimed at restructuring the regulatory framework and clarifying its overall objectives more precisely. A key element of the draft is the precise definition of user categories and access rights, ensuring comprehensive and effective spectrum governance. The Authority's new proposal introduces a separate column titled "User Access Category," which clearly identifies the entities entitled to use each frequency band, whether governmental (military and civilian), commercial, or individual, thus eliminating any previous regulatory ambiguity.
The context of digital transformation and the importance of the frequency spectrum
This update comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing significant advancements in the communications and information technology sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The radio spectrum is a scarce and limited national resource, forming the backbone of modern wireless technologies, from 5G networks to the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities like NEOM. Therefore, the effective management of this resource is essential to meet the growing demand for data and support the digital economy, which has become a cornerstone in diversifying national income sources.
Redefining services and international compliance
The proposed amendments included radical changes to the structure of the National Frequency Allocation Table, including updating the international and national footnotes and adding detailed information to resolve potential interferences. The draft also precisely redefined radio services, dividing them into:
- Primary services: Enjoy full protection from harmful interference.
- Secondary services: They are not entitled to claim protection from primary services, even if they preceded them in terms of time usage.
The Authority also affirmed the Kingdom’s full commitment to the regulations issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as the national distributions have been updated to conform to the outputs of the World Radiocommunication Conferences, thus preserving the Kingdom’s leading regulatory position within the “first region” in the Union’s geographical division, and enhancing the reliability of the technology investment environment in the country.
Financial responsibilities and application timeline
The plan clearly defines financial responsibilities, emphasizing that spectrum users will bear the cost of modifying or replacing their existing systems to comply with the new standards in case of conflicts. This is to ensure an operational environment free from harmful interference that could affect vital and security services. Regarding the timeframe, the authority has set a specific deadline for implementation. The revised plan is scheduled to take effect ninety days after its official adoption, giving stakeholders sufficient time to adjust their technical and legal standing.
The Authority concluded its document by emphasizing that the National Plan is the only regulatory reference that achieves a balance between the different needs of the military, security and civilian sectors, in a way that supports national security and economic prosperity alike.
