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.



Gold Gains on Weaker Dollar; Traders Brace for Fed Rate Decision

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo
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Gold Gains on Weaker Dollar; Traders Brace for Fed Rate Decision

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo

Gold prices firmed on Monday, supported by a softer dollar, as investors awaited further details on the US-China trade relations, along with the Federal Reserve's policy meeting due later this week.

Spot gold gained 0.5% to $3,256.85 an ounce, as of 0416 GMT. US gold futures rose 0.7% to $3,265.10.

The dollar was down 0.3% against its rivals, making gold more attractive for other currency holders.

"The US dollar is looking subdued ahead of the Fed meeting this week which is enabling gold to take a mild run higher," KCM Trade's Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.

"We may see gold continue to operate in the $3,200-$3,350 range ahead of the Fed meeting. However, any new headlines on the trade deal could cause volatility to tick up once again."

The market's focus will be on the US central bank policy decision and speeches by several Fed officials due this week, for insights into future monetary policy trajectory.

Traders are now expecting 80 basis points of rate cuts this year starting in July, following the US Labor Department's report on Friday showing larger-than-expected job additions in April.

Non-yielding gold acts as a hedge against global uncertainty and inflation and tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment. US President Donald Trump said he will not remove Jerome Powell as Fed Board Chairman before his term ends in May 2026, while reiterating his call for the Fed to cut interest rates.

Trump on Sunday said the US was meeting with many countries, including China, on trade deals, and his main priority with China was to secure a fair trade deal.

Chinese markets are closed for the Labor Day holiday from May 1-5 and will resume trade on Tuesday, May 6.

Spot silver rose 0.5% to $32.14 an ounce, platinum fell 0.2% to $957.77 and palladium gained 0.2% to $955.28.