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Saudi Arabia: Watchdog orders largest telco shakeup in years

By  |  January 27, 2014

Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications authority is set to begin the largest shakeup in the nation’s telco industry in six years as the market plans for a new competitor, say reports.

Number-two Mobily will reportedly lease some of its network to the new competitor in the first quarter of this year, a move following regulators’ orders that telcos must improve wholesale processes for new rivals that do not have their own spectrum.

Top rival Saudi Telecom Co, as well as Zain Saudi, are also affected by the ruling.

While the Communications and Information Technology Commission declined to comment on incoming competitors, Mobility said the UK’s Lebara Group, with which is partners, will soon begin operating in Saudi Arabia as the CITC is set to issue new licenses by the end of the month.

Full Content: Gulf Business

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