About Radio Spectrum

Radio spectrum is a valuable and limited natural resource that is crucial in various technologies, services, and daily wireless communication activities. Radio spectrum represents a key pillar of technologies, services, and daily wireless communications' activities. It encompasses a range of electromagnetic waves utilized for transmitting information between different points. These waves are categorized by their frequency, technical characteristics, and technological uses in satellites, mobile phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other fields.

Due to the scarcity of Radio Spectrum, its management is of utmost importance. CST undertakes the responsibility of Radio Spectrum management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This management includes Radio Spectrum planning, licensing, and monitoring processes in line with global trends and meeting the demands of the Kingdom's Radio Spectrum users.

Radio Spectrum ranges from 3 kHz to 300 GHz and is measured in Hertz, a unit named in honor of the renowned German physicist Heinrich Hertz, who made significant discoveries regarding the nature and functionality of these waves.

Wireless transmission knows no political boundaries and can potentially cause harmful interference among radio systems operating within different states. Hence, effective management of Radio Spectrum holds great significance at national, regional, and international levels. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as a specialized agency of the United Nations, is responsible for managing the global utilization of the frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. ITU sets standards for wireless communication systems, resolves disputes related to frequency spectrum usage, and addresses other ICT-related issues.

Radio Spectrum Functions:

Planning, organizing, and allocating spectrum bands. It also includes developing plans to ensure the availability of spectrum resources as needed.

Regulating radio services, wireless systems, and applications, and developing National Radio Spectrum Law.

Managing National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) and National Frequency Plan (NFP).

Cooperation and coordination with national sectors that use frequency spectrum.

Implementing administrative and regulatory procedures for licensing the Radio Spectrum use in various radio services.

Offering Radio Spectrum licenses through competitive mechanisms such as Auctions.

International coordination of space and terrestrial services.

Reviewing regulations, agreements, and international recommendations and representing the Kingdom in radio-related meetings.

Monitoring and examining the Radio Spectrum use and measuring its occupation and utilization in the Kingdom.

Resolving harmful interference complaints caused from

Radio Spectrum use

Managing National Frequency Register, maintaining confidentiality, and updating information based on radio monitoring information.

Managing and operating Spectrum Monitoring Management Systems in the Kingdom's regions.

International Activities

World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC)

World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) are held every three to four years to review and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Revisions are made on the basis of an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which considers recommendations made by previous world radiocommunication conferences.

World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC)

CST Contributions

Seeking to achieve pillar (C.1.2) of NSS to enhance the Kingdom’s international influence, CST provided a number of contributions regionally and internationally.

CST Contributions

Forums

Connecting the World from the Skies

CST organized, in cooperation with ITU, an international forum on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). Through its sessions, the forum discussed various pillars related to the most prominent services provided via NTN and their regulatory and technical aspects. In addition, it highlighted CST recent technology trials in the field of NTN and its role in the adoption of 6G telecommunication networks and enabling environmentally friendly and sustainable telecommunications networks.

Fostering Spectrum Commercial and Innovative Use

CST participated in organizing an international webinar, in cooperation with ITU, titled “Fostering Spectrum Commercial and Innovative Use.” This webinar comes as part of CST efforts connected with NSS 2025 to standardize international efforts and visions in this vital field and activate the frequency spectrum’s role in fostering digital transformation in the Kingdom and the world. In addition, more than (70) speakers who are senior officers and specialists from governmental, private, and academic entities concerned with wireless technologies from more than (20) countries worldwide participated in this webinar.