RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has launched an ambitious project to connect everyone in even the most remote parts of the country with voice (mobile) and Internet services. The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), Saudi Arabia's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) regulator, has set up a Universal Services Fund (USF) under which Zain Saudi Arabia, the third mobile phone operator, won a contract to build infrastructure and provide mobile communication services to people living in remote areas of the Kingdom. There are about 500 small towns and villages which so far do not have mobile phone or Internet services. Engr Ahmed Al-Faifi, Chief Operation Officer (COO), Zain Saudi Arabia, said the Saudi government wants to provide everyone with mobile phone and Internet services, even if they are living in remote border areas. CITC's USF project is aimed at connecting all of the Saudi population with voice (mobile) phone and broadband Internet services. Zain Saudi Arabia, which offered the lowest bid, won the contract for building infrastructure and connecting the remote areas of the Kingdom with voice and broadband Internet services, said Al-Faifi. “Zain Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with CITC recently and will soon start working on the project to deliver services to people living in those areas by expanding the network and establishing new sites to ensure high quality data and voice services,” said Al-Faifi. He said there are towns and villages in remote regions where the number of housing units is between five and 10. CITC wants to ensure that the people living in these areas are also connected with voice and Internet services,” he said. Engr. Al-Faifi said his company has the responsibility to connect these towns and villages and ensure that they will be fully provided with voice and Internet services. “We believe that by undertaking the project we are contributing to the empowerment of citizens and residents,” he said. Zain Saudi Arabia is proud to offer residents a variety of services that are of the highest quality and best prices, he said.
