Article 12 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
المادة 12 من نظام الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات · الفصل الثالث: الطيف الترددي
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز لأي مستخدم أو مقدم خدمة استخدام أي تردُّد إلا بعد تخصيصه له من الهيئة وحصوله على الترخيص اللازم وتسديد المقابل المالي.
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 12 explained in plain English
This article is short but decisive: no frequency may be used unless three conditions are met together:
- Allocation: the Authority allocates the frequency to the person who wants to use it.
- License: he obtains the necessary license.
- Payment: he pays the fee.
The rule covers both the user and the service provider, and is not limited to the large communications companies. The user, as defined in Article 1, may be a natural or legal person.
This is consistent with Article 11, which puts the management of the civil and commercial spectrum in the Authority's hands. If the civil and commercial spectrum is used in violation of the Law, the regulations or the license terms, Article 13 allows the Authority to stop the operation of the devices used in the violation or withdraw them from service, and to call on security bodies when needed.
This article does not specify the amount of the fee or the allocation procedures. Anyone who wants to use wireless devices that rely on frequencies in his business would do well to check with the Authority first or consult a lawyer who specializes in communications and information technology laws.
Practical example
A security company in Riyadh bought two-way radios that operate on a particular frequency to use among its guards. It may not operate them on that frequency until the Authority allocates it to the company, it obtains the license, and it pays the fee.
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 12 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
Can a wireless frequency be used without a license?
No. No user or service provider may use any frequency until the Authority has allocated it to him, he has obtained the license and he has paid the fee.
Does the rule cover individuals or only companies?
The article covers any user or service provider, and a user may be a natural or legal person.
What happens if a frequency is used in violation?
Article 13 allows the Authority to stop the operation of the devices used in the violation or withdraw them from service, and to call on security bodies when needed.
More articles on Radio Spectrum
- Article 10
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.
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، والاتفاق
- 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 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.