REGULATIONS FOR PROVISIONING OF OPERATION SERVICES OF 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 this document. This approach allows for assigning permits for 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 following:
1.1.1.   Provisioning of voice telecommunications services through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
1.1.2.   Provisioning of internet services through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
1.1.3.   Value-added services related to services through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
1.1.4.   Any other telecommunication services related to Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) that CITC deems necessary to include to the scope of this documents according to the growth and expansion of the telecommunications sector and based on CITC judgment.
1.2.        The services mentioned above in 3.1 are provided through Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), which may include one of the following technologies:
1.2.1.   Operations of personal mobile communications systems and networks via satellite (GMPCS-Network)
1.2.2.   Provision of VSAT services
1.2.3.   Provision of broadband satellite services
1.2.4.   Operation of systems of identical earth stations
1.2.5.   Operation of connectivity systems on aircrafts (airborne or spaceborne) 
1.2.6.   Any other technology related to Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) that CITC deems necessary to include to the scope of this documents according to the growth and expansion of the telecommunications sector and based on CITC judgment.
 
1.3.        A permit for provisioning of operation services for NTN is required when the undertaking intends to operate or deploy relevant infrastructure to transmit signals wholly or partially.
1.4.        A “Provisioning of Operations Services for NTN Permit” is required before the provisioning of any telecommunications services through Non-Terrestrial Networks mentioned in 3.1 to the end users.​​

​1.1.           General terms and conditions

​1.1.        Applicants wishing to obtain a provisioning of operation services of 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:
1.1.1.   Submit the application through the electronic licensing system.
1.1.2.   Have a General Class License with at least six months validity.
1.1.3.   Submit a valid commercial registration in the Kingdom with at least three months validity and indicating the activity of the service permit. The CITC, subject to its sole discretion, may exempt some applicants from this requirement. In that case, the CITC will request the commercial registration in the home country attested by the Saudi Consulate. 
1.1.4.   Provide a brief description of the company profile and operations.
1.1.5.   Provide a brief description of the services to be provided in the Kingdom.
1.1.6.   Provide the technical specifications of the networks, systems, and devices to be used in the provision of the service, including the details on the location of the gateways stations that will be used to provide the services, if applicable.
1.1.7.   Comply with the regulatory requirements of providing the service.
1.1.8.   Pay the applicable fee, as defined in the “Regulations of Fees for Telecommunication Services” published on CITC website, through SADAD payment system within a month from the date of issuing the invoice.
1.1.9.   Submit, for services that are to be provided to the public, the following:
1.1.9.1.       Proposed price plan for end-users
1.1.9.2.       Brief description of the proposed approach to customer care and after-sales services, monitor service performance, and billing procedures.
1.1.9.3.       Expected date for launching services.
1.1.9.4.       Expected number of subscribers, and their geographical distribution
1.1.10.         Submit the application for the use of numbering resources, if applicable.
1.1.11.         Submit the application for the use of spectrum frequencies, if applicable.
1.1.12.         Submit a confirmation of the agreement with the proposed satellite capacity provider, if the services to be provided require the use of satellite capacity, unless the applicant and the satellite capacity provider are the same.
1.1.13.         Submit a proof that the satellite provider has been registered at the CITC to provide capacity over the Kingdom.
1.1.14.         Applicants wishing to provide broadband services must additionally submit a financial identification letter from a Saudi bank or an international bank with its approval from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, confirming the applicant will be eligible for sufficient funding to meet the maximum financial requirements.

6.1.        The tariffs applicable to the networks 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 operate the authorized networks 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 provider of operation services for NTN and the provider 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 Operation Services of NTN (this document) will replace and substitute the current relevant regulations.