RIYADH — In a recent report, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) hailed the impressive and rapid development of the Communications and Information Technology sector, in Saudi Arabia, pointing to the role of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) as the regulator of the sector. The Saudi model is a pioneer in transforming regulating the communications and information technology sector, notably among the most mature category (5G), the report stated. The ITU report pointed out that Saudi Arabia is continuing to prioritize the rapid growth of its ICT sector and pursue sustainable economic diversification as part of its Vision 2030. "A new strategy bringing government agencies and the private sector together as well looking into new and emerging technologies have been critical elements of the Saudi Arabian regulator's journey," the report added. The report said that the CITC is stepping up to meet the 5th-generation regulation challenge with an ambitious new digital transformation strategy with a guiding vision of a "connected nation for a thriving digital economy." "Their vision also emphasizes safeguarding the public, providing reliable service, ensuring fair competition, and balancing the diverse needs of multiple stakeholders," the report highlighted. Today, CITC is delivering on its vision by working to create a robust regulatory platform within which government and businesses can safely operate and invest, the ITU report stressed. The CITC has achieved success against the challenges and overcoming them through a world-class mature and ambitious strategy to realize the shift towards a regulator regulatory, the report elaborated. Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the Kingdom, the CITC collaborated quickly and effectively with telecom operators to meet the surge in demand for online access and data with increased speeds and data capacity, free services, expanded spectrum use, and enhanced network configurations and connectivity. "This rapid response played a critical role in enabling remote work, business continuity, delivery apps, e-government services, and remote learning across Saudi Arabia, the ITU report highlighted. CITC is placing a strong emphasis on sustainability through the inclusion of ITU's global standards on sustainability within its core objectives. As it continues to hit milestone after milestone, CITC is well on its way to becoming one of the world's most developed 5th-generation regulators, the report added.
