Article 14 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
المادة 14 من نظام الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات · الفصل الثالث: الطيف الترددي
The Authority must establish a national frequency register recording data on the frequency spectrum, manage it, keep its data updated and preserve its confidentiality.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تنشئ الهيئة سجلاً وطنيًّا للترددات في المملكة، تقيد فيه البيانات المتعلقة بالطيف الترددي، وتتولى إدارته وتحديث بياناته والمحافظة على سريتها.
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 14 explained in plain English
This article creates a regulatory tool, the national frequency register, and specifies the Authority's responsibility for it:
- Establishment: the Authority establishes a national frequency register in the Kingdom.
- Content: data relating to the frequency spectrum is recorded in it.
- Management and updating: the Authority manages it and updates its data.
- Confidentiality: the Authority is bound to preserve the confidentiality of its data.
The provision on confidentiality is important; frequency spectrum data may be sensitive, and so the article did not make the register available to the public, but obliged the Authority to protect its data. The article does not specify who is entitled to inspect the register or how.
This register serves the Authority's function of managing and protecting the spectrum, including its power in Article 13 to stop the devices used in violating the civil and commercial spectrum or withdraw them; having updated data on frequencies helps in identifying violating uses. Article 15 comes after it to move to the subject of interconnection and access.
The article does not impose direct obligations on individuals or companies; it is an obligation on the Authority itself.
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 14 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
Is there a national frequency register in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The article obliges the Authority to establish a national frequency register in which data relating to the frequency spectrum is recorded.
Is the frequency register data public?
The article obliges the Authority to preserve the confidentiality of the register's data, and does not provide for making it available to the public.
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 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
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.