عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Pandemic Raises Prevalence of Mobile Telecom Services in Saudi Arabia to 135%

Statistics revealed at the annual Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum in Riyadh show a doubling of data and Internet use in Saudi Arabia last year. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Statistics revealed at the annual Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum in Riyadh show a doubling of data and Internet use in Saudi Arabia last year. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Pandemic Raises Prevalence of Mobile Telecom Services in Saudi Arabia to 135%

Statistics revealed at the annual Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum in Riyadh show a doubling of data and Internet use in Saudi Arabia last year. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Statistics revealed at the annual Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum in Riyadh show a doubling of data and Internet use in Saudi Arabia last year. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A significant hike in Saudi Arabia’s communication-related industries last year can be traced back to the coronavirus pandemic raising the need for distance communication. Mobile telecommunication services in the Kingdom witnessed an astonishing 135.5% increase in 2020.

Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications, information technology (IT) and postal markets were valued at SR246 billion ($65.6 billion) in 2020, according to data from the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC).

The Kingdom’s telecommunications market reached SR70 billion in the same period, with Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, CITC’s governor, describing it as the most developed in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Commenting on the 2020 statistics at the annual Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum in Riyadh, Al-Tamimi said the information technology market was valued at SR64 billion, while the postal market stood at SR6.4 billion.

More so, the estimated market value of telecom companies reached SR246 billion.

Al-Tamimi said the Kingdom’s IT and postal sectors account for 5.5% of its GDP.

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in its digital infrastructure as it seeks to diversify its income sources, veering away from oil dependence.

Al-Tamimi revealed that the number of homes connected to the optical fiber network reached over 3.5 million and the 5th generation networks exceeded 12,000 towers in more than 51 cities and governorates across the Kingdom, noting that Saudi Arabia became among the top ten countries in the world in mobile Internet speed.

More than 60,000 free Wi-Fi spots are located in public places across the Kingdom, he revealed.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

French MP: We Look Forward to Sustainable Cooperation with Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030

French MP Amélia Lakrafi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
French MP Amélia Lakrafi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

French MP: We Look Forward to Sustainable Cooperation with Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030

French MP Amélia Lakrafi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
French MP Amélia Lakrafi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

As Saudi Arabia undergoes economic and social changes under its Vision 2030, attention is turning to strengthening strategic partnerships with France in areas such as innovation, technology and cybersecurity.

Amélia Lakrafi, a French member of parliament and representative for French nationals abroad, stressed the importance of Vision 2030 as a platform for long-term cooperation between the two nations.

Vision 2030 presents unique opportunities to boost economic ties between France and Saudi Arabia, she stressed.

She emphasized the need to support innovation and technology as key areas of collaboration.

To advance this partnership, she suggested empowering French-Saudi business councils and holding regular meetings for companies and experts to discuss legal and tax issues, such as setting up companies without a local partner.

She also proposed creating a unified platform to streamline information access for businesses and coordinate with entities like embassies and the “Business France” agency.

France should highlight the investment opportunities it offers to Saudi investors, ensuring quick and clear solutions to legal and procedural challenges, Lakrafi went on to say.

Innovation and AI

Innovation and technology are vital for future cooperation. Lakrafi noted that artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy are key areas for collaboration.

She explained that AI is a strategic priority for both France and Saudi Arabia, and French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Riyadh highlighted its potential.

Paris will host a global AI event in February, with Saudi Arabia as a partner guest, said the MP.

The event will help strengthen partnerships between institutions and businesses from both countries. She proposed creating competitive hubs in Saudi Arabia, similar to those in France, to bring together large companies, startups and researchers.

Boosting capital

Lakrafi stressed the importance of intangible capital, which includes branding, reputation and internal processes, for improving competitiveness.

“Intangible capital represents about 60% of a company's value,” she said. “Companies should invest in securing these assets, through trademark registration, enhanced cybersecurity, or better internal management.”

She called for the development of tools to measure intangible capital, which could help businesses build trust and attract investors and customers.

Cybersecurity

Given the rise in global cyber threats, Lakrafi called for stronger cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia in cybersecurity.

She underscored France’s expertise through institutions like the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems.

This collaboration could help Saudi Arabia develop shared cybersecurity standards, including rules to secure companies receiving government funding. She also warned that 80% of companies hit by major cyberattacks close within three years.

Lakrafi concluded by stressing that the cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia extends beyond economic ties, focusing on building cultural and social connections that support shared goals.

“Our relationship with Saudi Arabia goes beyond economics. We are building new links every day, whether between leaders, lawmakers, or citizens. I see a bright future for this partnership that will strengthen both countries’ global standing,” she remarked.