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.



Trump's Baseline Tariff Plays to Türkiye’s Advantage, Vice President Says

Türkiye's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz speaks during a press conference to unveil a savings measures package in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo
Türkiye's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz speaks during a press conference to unveil a savings measures package in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo
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Trump's Baseline Tariff Plays to Türkiye’s Advantage, Vice President Says

Türkiye's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz speaks during a press conference to unveil a savings measures package in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo
Türkiye's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz speaks during a press conference to unveil a savings measures package in Ankara, Türkiye, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo

The relatively low 10% baseline tariff that the United States has applied to Türkiye could favor Turkish exporters, Türkiye's vice president told broadcaster CNN Turk on Saturday.
Along with the baseline tariff that took effect on Saturday, US President Donald Trump has announced higher levies on goods from 57 larger partners including China, European Union, Vietnam and Japan that are due to start next week.
The decision not to impose such levies on Türkiye "seems to be to our advantage as of now, for access to the American market", Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz told CNN Turk.
"There were already tariffs on iron, steel and aluminium (exports from Türkiye to the US). When (the US) imposed similar tariffs on the others, there was an equalization there, it was in our favour," he added.
Yilmaz said that as an importer, Türkiye would also benefit from a drop in international commodity prices, including oil, following Trump's announcement.
Türkiye's Trade Minister Omer Bolat said on Friday that the Turkish government wanted to negotiate with the US to lift the 10% in new tariffs.
He called them the "best of the worst", given higher tariffs on many other countries.