CITC Announces the Issuance of Temporary Licenses for Conducting 5G Technology Trials in the Kingdom

The Communications and Information Technology Commission today announced the issuance of temporary licenses in the (3.6-3.8) GHz frequency band to telecom companies licensed to provide public mobile telecom services in the Kingdom to conduct trials of fifth-generation (5G) mobile phone technology.

The Commission affirmed that it seeks to provide all the necessary enablers to ensure that 5G technology trials in the Kingdom are conducted with ease, adding that the field launch of the trials is expected by the end of this year.

The Commission said that 5G services will have a significant impact on increasing internet speeds, and will also enhance the use of modern technologies in the Kingdom, such as Internet of Things technologies, given the great facilitation this technology provides for smart city services, digital homes, connected vehicles, and other applications, considering that 5G technologies are characterized by diverse and multiple services, most notably enhanced mobile broadband services.

It is noted that the Communications and Information Technology Commission formed the National 5G Enablement Task Force earlier this year, chaired by the Commission's Vice Governor for Technology and Infrastructure, Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Muzaid, with membership from 5G system manufacturers and telecom companies licensed to provide mobile telecom services in the Kingdom. This task force aims to enable the early adoption of 5G technologies in the Kingdom, and to establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate the deployment of their networks in accordance with international technical specifications.