Article 13 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
المادة 13 من نظام الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات · الفصل الثالث: الطيف الترددي
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
في حال استخدام الطيف الترددي المخصص للأغراض المدنية والتجارية بما يخالِف النظام أو اللائحة أو أحكام وشروط الترخيص، فللهيئة إيقاف تشغيل الأجهزة المستخدمة في المخالفة أو سحبها من الخدمة، ولها الاستعانة بالجهات الأمنية المختصة عند الحاجة.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article gives the Authority a direct enforcement tool to protect the frequency spectrum.
When does it apply? When the frequency spectrum allocated for civil and commercial purposes is used in violation of any of the following:
- The Law.
- The regulations.
- The provisions and conditions of the license.
What does the Authority have the power to do?
- Stop the operation of the devices used in the violation.
- Withdraw those devices from service.
- Call on the competent security bodies when needed.
This article complements Article 12, which prohibits the use of any frequency until it is allocated by the Authority and the license is obtained and the fee paid; anyone who uses a frequency without that exposes his devices to being stopped or withdrawn. It also covers someone who has a license but uses it contrary to its conditions.
The article speaks of a measure relating to devices, and does not mention fines or other penalties. Anyone whose devices the Authority has stopped and who believes the measure is incorrect would do well to consult a lawyer who specializes in communications and information technology laws or one who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
A shop in Jeddah operated an unlicensed signal booster that uses frequencies allocated to another operator, causing interference in the network. The Authority may stop the operation of the device or withdraw it from service, and it may call on security bodies if it needs to.
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 13 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
Can the Communications Authority seize wireless devices?
Yes. If the civil and commercial spectrum is used in violation of the Law, the regulations or the license terms, the Authority may stop the operation of the devices used or withdraw them from service.
Can the Authority call on the police?
The article allows the Authority to call on the competent security bodies when needed.
Does the article apply to a license holder?
Yes. It covers violation of the provisions and conditions of the license, so it applies to someone who uses the spectrum contrary to the terms of his license.
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 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 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.