Saudi telecom operators slapped with $10.67m in fines

Saudi telecom operators slapped with $10.67m in fines
The penalties targeted operators including the STC. (File/Reuters)
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Updated 16 January 2021
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Saudi telecom operators slapped with $10.67m in fines

Saudi telecom operators slapped with $10.67m in fines

The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) imposed more than SR40 million ($10.67 million) fines on a number of Saudi telecom operators due to committing violations to the telecommunications law.

The penalties targeted the following operators; stc, Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily), Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA), and Etihad Jawraa Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (Lebara Mobile KSA).

STC was fined SR31.4 million, Mobily was handed a fine of SR1.2 million, Zain KSA (SR996,000), and Lebara Mobile (SR366,000). Other operators were fined SR6.16 million.

The violations include making promotional offers in violation of CITC’s decisions, using frequencies without licenses, failing to comply with the CITC’s decisions with regard to a number of user complaints, using violating SIMs, failing to provide CITC with information required within the specified deadlines.

Other violations include causing damage to public telecommunications networks by cutting off a communication cable, sending Spam messages, and providing SMS service without obtaining a license.