The Commission signs Universal Service Fund service agreements for project No. (3) and project No. (4) under the Fund's second operational plan

In line with the direction of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - may God protect it - in its development strategy, represented by making voice telephone services and broadband internet services available in all regions of the Kingdom and to all segments of society, the Communications and Information Technology Commission today signed two agreements for the third and fourth projects under the Commission's Universal Service Fund's second operational plan. These projects aim to provide universal service and the universal access obligation, in accordance with the Fund's approved policy and strategic plan.

The agreement for the third project, won by Saudi Telecom Company, was signed by His Excellency the Governor of the Commission, Chairman of the Fund's Executive Committee, Engineer Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Darrab, and His Excellency the CEO of the Saudi Telecom Group, Engineer Saud bin Majed Al-Daweesh, to provide universal service and the universal access obligation for voice communications and broadband internet services in the governorates of Al-Baha region (Al-Baha, Al-Aqiq, Al-Qura, Al-Mikhwah, Al-Mandaq, Baljurashi, and Qilwah), and the governorates of (Al-Namas, Balqarn, and Bisha) in Asir region, and (Al-Qunfudhah) governorate in Makkah region.

The agreement for the fourth project, won by Saudi Telecom Mobile Company (Zain), was signed by His Excellency the Governor and His Excellency the CEO of Saudi Telecom Mobile Company (Zain), Dr. Saad bin Hamad Al-Barrak, to provide universal service and the universal access obligation for voice communications and broadband internet services in the governorates of (Al-Majma'ah and Rumah) in Riyadh region, and the governorates of (Al-Khafji, Hafr Al-Batin, and Qaryat Al-Ulya) in the Eastern Province.

Through the Fund, and according to the announced evaluation criteria and the methodology contained in the request for proposal documents, the Commission evaluates and analyzes the technical proposals, then qualifies the proposals that pass this stage to the financial proposal evaluation stage, and invites owners of technically qualified proposals to attend the public session for opening the financial proposals. The financial proposals are then analyzed, and the project is awarded to the proposal holder requesting the least financial support from the Fund.