REGULATIONS FOR PROVISIONING OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER NTN

1.1              In accordance with the Telecom Act (the Act) and its Executive Regulations (the Regulations) and the powers it includes for the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), including those related to the regulation of telecommunication services, and in accordance with the development of telecommunications markets in the Kingdom and the experiences of other countries; CITC issues this document to enable advanced telecommunications services, establish a proper environment for effective and fair competition, and encourage the provisioning of Non-Terrestrial Network services under the General Class License; to achieve clarity and transparency in its procedures.
1.2               Keeping with the international best practices to build a competitive and modern regulatory framework that aims to remove identified market entry barriers, and reduce regulatory burdens, by adopting the principle of “technological neutrality” in the licensing processes. This approach allows for the licensing of future networks as well as all present networks, promoting innovation and competition, creating certainty, thus attracting investments in the country for the expansion of the telecommunication services. ​

​​​The words and phrases that are defined in the Telecom Act, its Executive Regulations and other decisions issued by the CITC, will have the same meaning when used in this document, and the following words and expressions will have the meanings associated with them, Unless the context requires otherwise.

1.1.        The conditions of this document applies to anyone who operates a non-terrestrial network for the purpose of providing any of the below services to the end users either directly or through authorized service providers by the CITC; which include:

​4.1.            General terms and conditions

1.1.        Applicants wishing to obtain a “Provisioning of Telecommunication Services over NTN Permit” will have to provide the CITC the following information, and all required documents and information shall be in Arabic. Supporting documents (if any) may be submitted in English:

6.1.        The tariffs applicable to the services and that must be paid by the authorized person are determined in the “Regulations of Fees for Telecommunication Services” published by the CITC on its website.​​​

7​.1.        The duration of the permit to provide the authorized services would be the same as the duration of the General Class license, unless each permit is cancelled or terminated by the CITC.

8.1.        The CITC will review the permit application and issue a decision based on the conformity of the submitted documents with the requirements listed under section 6.
8.2.        The CITC may request licensees and applicants to provide the contracts signed between the providers of operation services of NTN and the providers of telecommunication services over NTN, as well as the contracts between end-users and the service providers.
8​.3.        This document is subject to periodic review by the CITC, and it is updated as it deems appropriate in accordance with the regulatory framework, and prior approval of the Governor of the CITC.​

9.1        The Regulations for Provisioning of Telecommunication Services over NTN (this document) will replace and substitute the current and relevant regulations.
9.2        The Authorizations granted to General Class Licensees will remain as is and will not be altered till the expiry date of their General Class Licenses. Subsequent renewals will be subject to Service Permit Regulations.
9.3      The current licensee will have the option to acquire the provisioning of operation services of NTN permit before the expiry of their General Class License.
9.4.        The obligations, general and special terms and conditions as stipulated in the current Authorizations’ regime under the General Class License shall remain the same and applicable to existing licensees.
9.5.        Any new application received by the CITC for General Class License will be subject to this regulation document.
9.6.        Current Authorized providers of GMSPC services shall:
9.6.1.    Notify the CITC of the tariff plans available to end-users before offering them to the public
9.6.2.    Include in the terms and conditions of the subscriber service agreement at least the following:
9.6.2.1  Confidentiality of subscriber information.
9.6.2.2  How to recover amounts and discounts related to service problems or bills that are more than their actual value.
9.6.2.3  Payment terms (including but not limited to payment period, acceptable methods of payment).
9.6.2.4   ​Quality of service.
9.6.2.5   Subscriber and authorized rights.
9.6.2.6   The method of resolving the subscriber's complaints or other disputes, which includes the subscriber's right to resort to the CITC in the event that the authorized person fails to address the complaint, or the subscriber is not convinced of the solution provided by the authorized person.
9.6.2.7   The tariff for the service details, type, and cost.
 
9.7.        Current Authorized providers of mobile phone services on aircraft shall:
9.7.1.   The use of the frequencies assigned to this service as designated by the CITC and according to the terms and conditions in the Spectrum License. Frequencies to be used shall be in accordance with the CITC National Frequency Plan as well as relevant Radio Spectrum Regulations.
9.7.2.   The CITC has the right at any time to stop this service if it is proven that the use of this service causes interference to other devices or services operating on the same frequency band or at any other bands.
9.7.3.   The provision of the service aboard aircrafts registered outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that are transiting the Kingdom’s territory, does not require a license nor authorization.
9.7.4.   Set equipment to a lower transmit power so as not to affect the terrestrial mobile networks and their equipment.
9.7.5.   Not claim any protection against interference to its services due to other wireless services or similar systems. At the same time, its devices and equipment must not cause interference to other uses or similar systems.
9.7.6.   Stop using the assigned frequencies at any time or at any location deemed by the CITC.
9.7.7.   Provide the services using a network operated by a holder of a NTN network permit in the Kingdom or apply for NTN network license to operate communication systems on aircrafts.