The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has the mission of ensuring the provision of high-quality Universal Telecommunication and Information Technology services at affordable prices in Saudi Arabia. The CITC is led by Dr. Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al-Suwayel. Initially the CITC was known as the Saudi Communications Commission. The name was changed after the organization was assigned new tasks related to information technology.
The commission enjoys both judicial and financial independence. This is necessary as the CITC faces the challenges of creating a competitive environment in order to open the telecommunications market, activate the role of the private sector and encourage investments. The partial liberalization of mobile telephone services is scheduled for the last quarter of 2004 and fixed telephone in 2008.
At CITC’s website (citc.gov.sa/CITC/EN/) can be found an enormous amount of information targeted toward both investors and the public. News and updates including public notices and articles for download are readily available. The commission’s statutes, rules and procedures, regulations and licensing are all posted online. There are also details on spectrum management, the National IT Plan and VSAT providers. With the prequalification date for the second mobile license approaching, CITC’s website is the place to turn to stay informed on the future of telecommunications in the Kingdom.