A Second Fixed-Line Operator Should Be Licenced in Saudi Arabia by 2008.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46754) has announced the addition of "Saudi Arabia Telecommunications Market Intelligence Report 2006" to their offering.

Saudi Arabia's telecommunications market is regulated by the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), an entity that was established in June 2001 as the Saudi Communications Commission (SCC) to assume the regulatory responsibilities of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), to which it reports. The MCIT continues to have a key role in the regulation of the market, and is responsible for setting general policies, plans, and development programmes for the telecommunications sector, as well as having ultimate authority over the licensing of new players in the market. The MCIT's predecessor - the Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones (MoPTT) - developed the Telecommunications Act, which was put into effect on December 26, 2001.

The act provides for the licensing of alternative fixed-line, mobile, and value-added service providers that will compete with incumbent state-owned carrier, Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC), which completed an initial public offering (IPO) of shares to domestic entities early in 2003. A second mobile operator - Mobily - was licensed in 2004 and began operating in May 2005. Elsewhere, competition is currently restricted to the public data communications, VSAT, and Internet services markets. A second fixed-line operator should be licensed by 2008.

Each extensive Market Intelligence Report includes the following sections: Economic, Social, Political, and Telecoms Indicators; key data presented in tabular form. Regulation; a summary/overview of the market and regulatory climate, followed by synopses of the regulator's powers and other competition or ministerial bodies to which it reports or with which it co-operates. A summary of the regulations in force, a list of differences in the types of available licences and a list of the licences issued. Market Indicators; the available data is presented in tabular form with commentary and graphics. Major Operators; contact data and company information, including ownership, background where relevant for pan-European carriers, licensed activities, scope of activities/services, recent major equipment contracts, summary of network status, references to major subsidiaries, joint ventures, and alliances. Major Manufacturers; contact data and company information including ownership, background where relevant, manufacturing & distribution activities, recent major equipment contracts, references to major subsidiaries, joint ventures, and alliances. Industry Associations; contact data and organisation information covering background where relevant, activities/objectives and references to members.

Companies mentioned:

* Mobily

* Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC)

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46754