Amendments to the Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications Tariff Approval Procedures

After reviewing the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 3 of the Telecommunications Act, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/12) dated 12/03/1422H, which requires regulation of the telecommunications sector in accordance with “the creation of a favorable atmosphere to promote and encourage fair competition in all fields of telecommunications”; and after reviewing the provisions of the amended Telecommunications Bylaw, by the Decisions No. (1) dated 01/01/1435H, of His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. and Based on the decision of the Board of Directors of the Communications and Information Technology Commission at its meeting No. (123) held on 29/10/1438H, related to the Amendments to the Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications Tariff Approval Procedures;
Work is done according to the following:
First:
Amending Clause No. (2-6-2) of the Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications Tariff Approval Procedures, to be as follows:
"(Restrictions of Use): Means restrictions imposed by service provider, on any of the services, by restricting consumption of this service by any means that may lead - without limitation - to interruption, deterioration or shortage of advertised service. These restrictions include, but are not limited to, the advertised quantity, time, and speed".
Second:
Adding a new clause to Article (2) of updated Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications Tariff Approval Procedures, regarding definitions, to be as follows:
"(Advertising): Intended to any means by which user's attention is attracted to products, services, and trademark of Service Provider, including –but not limited to– marketing, promotional and branding activities.
Third:
Amending Clause No. (6-5-1) of updated Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications Tariff Approval Procedures, to be as follows:
"If the service provider wishes to place any conditions or restrictions for the subscriber when using a service or package, whether it is unlimited, he must use phrases such as “Unlimited Use/usage”; Or if the service or package is limited to capacities, speeds or minutes, he must clarify the following to the subscriber before subscribing In this service or package through all sales outlets, on website or electronic application and when announcing it":
Fourth:
Add following clauses to Article (6) of updated Regulatory Framework for Telecommunications Tariff Approval Procedures, regarding obligations of service providers relating to transparency, to be as follows:
1- In the event that promotion or advertising activities for packages or offers are visual or printed, the service provider must:
- Specify a duration of (0.2) seconds for each word as a minimum for restrictions and obligations to appear on display screens, taking into account all the texts displayed at the same time.
- Text size for restrictions and obligations shall not be less than (30%) of the largest text size displayed at the same time.
- Font color and size and the place where restrictions and obligations appear should be clear, so that the user can read and understand it.
2- In the event that promotion or advertising activities for packages or offers are broadcast, then restrictions and obligations must be clearly audible to the user.
Fifth:
Service providers are obligated to abide by this decision within a period not exceeding (30) days from the date of its issuance.

Governor, CITC
Dr. Abdulaziz Salem AlRuwais