Article 10 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
المادة 10 من نظام الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات · الفصل الثالث: الطيف الترددي
The frequency spectrum is a natural resource owned by the State, and the Authority prepares the national frequency spectrum plan for approval by the Ministry in coordination with military and security bodies.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- الطيف الترددي ثروة طبيعية تملكها الدولة.
2- تعد الهيئة الخطة الوطنية للطيف الترددي بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة -مراعية ما تقضي به الأنظمة الأخرى، والاتفاقيات الدولية التي تكون المملكة طرفًا فيها- تمهيداً لاعتمادها من الوزارة.
3- تعتمد الوزارة الخطة الوطنية للطيف الترددي بالتنسيق مع الجهات العسكرية والأمنية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 10 explained in plain English
The frequency spectrum, as Article 1 defines it, is the set of frequency bands in the international radio regulations that can be used in communications networks, and it is what mobile and wireless broadcasting networks run on.
The article lays down three provisions:
- Ownership: the frequency spectrum is a natural resource owned by the State. No operator or individual therefore owns frequencies; he is merely permitted to use them according to the Law.
- Preparation: the Authority prepares the national frequency spectrum plan in coordination with the related bodies, taking into account other laws and the international agreements to which the Kingdom is a party.
- Approval: the Ministry approves the plan in coordination with military and security bodies.
The national frequency spectrum plan, as defined in Article 1, is a document that organizes the bands in terms of their type, range and allocation to the concerned bodies. Article 11 comes after it to give the Authority management of the spectrum allocated for civil and commercial uses in accordance with this plan.
The practical effect of considering the spectrum as owned by the State is that its allocation and management are carried out in accordance with the national plan and under the regulation of the bodies the article specifies, not according to the wishes of users.
Practical example
A company in Riyadh wanted to operate a wireless network that relies on a particular frequency band. It cannot treat this band as if it were its property, because the frequency spectrum is a natural resource owned by the State, and its allocation is carried out under the national plan that the Authority prepares and the Ministry approves.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 10 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
Who owns the frequency spectrum in Saudi Arabia?
The frequency spectrum is a natural resource owned by the State, by the text of this article.
Who prepares the national frequency spectrum plan?
The Authority prepares it in coordination with the related bodies, taking into account other laws and the international agreements to which the Kingdom is a party.
Who approves the frequency spectrum plan?
The Ministry approves it in coordination with military and security bodies.
More articles on Radio Spectrum
- Article 11
The Authority manages the frequency spectrum allocated for civil and commercial uses under the national plan, and sets electromagnetic exposure levels for non-ionizing spectrum and the rules for measuring them.
تتولى الهيئة ما يأتي: 1- إدارة الطيف الترددي المخصص للاستخدامات المدنية والتجارية، وفقاً لما تحدده الخطة الوطنية للطيف الترددي. 2- تحديد المستويات الخاصة بالتعر
- Article 12
No user or service provider may use any frequency until the Authority has allocated it to him, he has obtained the necessary license and he has paid the fee.
لا يجوز لأي مستخدم أو مقدم خدمة استخدام أي تردُّد إلا بعد تخصيصه له من الهيئة وحصوله على الترخيص اللازم وتسديد المقابل المالي.
- Article 13
If the civil and commercial spectrum is used in violation of the Law, the regulations or license terms, the Authority may stop the operation of the devices used or withdraw them from service, calling on security bodies when needed.
في حال استخدام الطيف الترددي المخصص للأغراض المدنية والتجارية بما يخالِف النظام أو اللائحة أو أحكام وشروط الترخيص، فللهيئة إيقاف تشغيل الأجهزة المستخدمة في المخ
- Article 14
The Authority must establish a national frequency register recording data on the frequency spectrum, manage it, keep its data updated and preserve its confidentiality.
تنشئ الهيئة سجلاً وطنيًّا للترددات في المملكة، تقيد فيه البيانات المتعلقة بالطيف الترددي، وتتولى إدارته وتحديث بياناته والمحافظة على سريتها.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.