Saudi CITC Launches Free Local Roaming Service

The Saudi CITC launches the free local roaming service. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi CITC launches the free local roaming service. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi CITC Launches Free Local Roaming Service

The Saudi CITC launches the free local roaming service. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi CITC launches the free local roaming service. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) launched Sunday the local roaming service to ensure operating services in all regions in the Kingdom.

The service enables users to change their operator to another service network if there is no coverage for their primary service operator.

The launch was held at the authority's headquarters in Riyadh, in the presence of CITC Gov. Mohammed al-Tamimi and the chairmen of the boards of directors and CEOs of the three companies providing the service in the Kingdom.

The ceremony included the signing of an agreement between the Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily), and Mobile Telecommunications Company Saudi Arabia (Zain).

The authority said local roaming covers all services, such as voice and Internet services and short text messages (SMS), and will be implemented in all regions, including in 21,000 villages, covered by the telecommunications services.

The implementation of the local roaming service will start in the al-Asir region and will be completed in all other regions by the end of 2021.

Al-Tamimi said local roaming is part of the authority's cooperation with all concerned parties to provide the best telecommunications services.

"The local roaming service aims to enable service providers to benefit from the telecommunications networks of others and also to help them meet the requirements of the beneficiaries, as it supports the empowerment of digital transformation in the Kingdom," he added.



Morocco’s Tanger Med Port Handles 10.24 Mln Containers in 2024

A view of Morocco's Tanger Med Port. (AFP file)
A view of Morocco's Tanger Med Port. (AFP file)
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Morocco’s Tanger Med Port Handles 10.24 Mln Containers in 2024

A view of Morocco's Tanger Med Port. (AFP file)
A view of Morocco's Tanger Med Port. (AFP file)

Morocco's Tanger Med Port said on Wednesday it maintained its position as the Mediterranean's leading port handling 10.24 million containers, up 18.8% from a year earlier.

Reuters had reported in June that the port was expecting to exceed its nominal processing capacity of 9 million foot equivalent units (TEUs), this year.

Citing reduced waiting and maneuvering times, Tanger Med processed a total of 142 million tons of freight, up 16.2%, the port's authority told Reuters.

The number of vehicles exported through the port grew 4% to 600,872, mostly produced by Renault and Stellantis plants in the country, the port authority said.