Saudi CST holds auction for 600 MHz, 700 MHz and 3800 MHz bands on 16 October

Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) has announced that the fifth spectrum auction for International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) networks in the frequency bands 600 MHz, 700 MHz and 3800 MHz will be held on 16 October. The CST has published its information memorandum and rules for this auction. 

The auction aims to improve 5G coverage in remote areas, improve the quality of service on roads, border entries and railways, raise internet speeds for customers, and promote investment and competition in providing wireless services. 

CST said it will solidify the country’s leadership  in the ICT sector and is part of its implementation of the Spectrum Outlook for Commercial and Innovative Use 2021-2023, which was published in 2020. Saudi Arabia will become the first country in the Middle East, Europe and Africa to assign the 600 MHz band for IMT, and the top country globally in terms of assigned IMT spectrum in the bands below 5 GHz, said the commission.

The information memorandum includes the auction design elements and rules, such as for allocating channel blocks for different domains, technical and regulatory conditions, eligibility criteria as well as the opening prices and obligations for the channel blocks. CST encourages eligible service providers to participate in the auction.