Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Represented by CITC, Signs Broadband Initiative Implementation Agreement with Saudi Telecom Company

In realization of Saudi Vision 2030, and as part of the National Transformation Program 2020 initiatives related to the communications and information technology sector system, which aim to develop this vital sector, enhance digital infrastructure, and provide high-speed fiber optic broadband services to all urban areas in the Kingdom.

In the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Chairman of the Commission's Board of Directors, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, the Chairman of the Board of Saudi Telecom Company, Dr. Abdullah Al-Abdulkader, and senior officials from the Ministry, the Commission, and Saudi Telecom Company, His Excellency the Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Ruwais, and the CEO of Saudi Telecom Company, Dr. Khaled Biyari, signed today, Sunday 11/8/1438H corresponding to 8/5/2017, the agreement to implement the high-speed fiber optic broadband initiative, as this agreement comes as part of the communications and information technology sector system's plan to expand the deployment of fiber optic broadband services for homes and vital government facilities in various urban areas of the Kingdom. The number of targeted homes in high-density urban areas is estimated at 405 thousand homes, from 44% currently to 80% in 2020, and the number of targeted homes in urban areas is 1,730,000 homes, from 12% currently to 55% in 2020.

For his part, His Excellency the Minister noted that this agreement targets delivering fiber optic broadband services to more than 2 million homes in various urban areas of the Kingdom, by covering 80% of these high-density homes, and 55% of homes in urban areas, with fiber optics at speeds of no less than 100 megabytes/second.

His Excellency explained that the Ministry will proceed with implementing all 36 initiatives related to the communications, information technology, and postal sector system, which were approved in the National Transformation Program 2020.

His Excellency the Commission's Governor also praised this agreement, noting that it will support the deployment of infrastructure in all regions of the Kingdom and will contribute to spreading services to homes and vital government facilities such as in the fields of health, education, and electronic services for citizens.