Article 15 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
المادة 15 من نظام الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات · الفصل الثالث: الطيف الترددي
The article requires all service providers to meet reasonable interconnection or access requests, imposes stricter duties on a dominant provider covering 40% of the market, and gives the Authority binding power to resolve disputes.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يلتزم جميع مقدمي الخدمة بتلبية الطلبات المعقولة لربط الاتصال البيني أو النفاذ التي يتقدم بها مقدمو خدمة آخرون، وذلك وفقاً للأحكام التي تحددها اللائحة.
2- يلتزم مقدم الخدمة المسيطر في الأسواق ذات الصلة بتلبية طلبات ربط الاتصال البيني أو النفاذ التي يتقدم بها مقدمو خدمة آخرون بشروط وأسعار عادلة مبنية على التكلفة المعتمدة من الهيئة، ويعد مقدم الخدمة مسيطرًا إذا كانت خدمته تغطي نسبة (40%) على الأقل من سوق اتصالات أو تقنية معلومات ذي الصلة أو جزء منه. وللهيئة تعديل هذه النسبة وفقاً لأوضاع السوق. وتضع الهيئة الضوابط اللازمة لتحديد مقدم الخدمة المسيطر.
3- يحق لكل مقدم خدمة التفاوض مع أي مقدم خدمة للاتفاق على ربط الاتصال البيني أو النفاذ، وفي حال عدم التوصل إلى اتفاق بينهما، فله التقدم بطلب إلى الهيئة للبت في ذلك، ويكون قرار الهيئة في هذا الشأن ملزِمًا لجميع الأطراف.
4- تضع الهيئة القواعد اللازمة لربط الاتصال البيني أو النفاذ بما في ذلك التزامات مقدمي الخدمات.
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 15 explained in plain English
Interconnection, as defined in Article 1, allows one operator's subscribers to communicate with another operator's subscribers, and access means making infrastructure, networks, devices or other facilities available for providing services. Without them there is no real competition.
Provisions of the article:
- General duty: All service providers must meet reasonable interconnection or access requests submitted by other service providers, as the Implementing Regulations specify.
- Stricter duty on a dominant provider: A service provider that is dominant in the relevant markets must meet these requests on fair terms and prices based on costs approved by the Authority. A provider is considered dominant if its service covers at least 40% of the relevant market, or part of it. The Authority may adjust this percentage according to market conditions and sets the criteria for identifying a dominant provider.
- Negotiation, then the Authority: Every service provider may negotiate with another provider. If they do not agree, either may ask the Authority to decide, and its decision is binding on all parties.
- Detailed rules: The Authority sets the rules for interconnection and access, including the obligations of service providers.
Article 16 complements this provision by prohibiting any interconnection or access agreement that endangers a person or their property or harms other networks or services. Article 1 refers to paragraph (2) of this article in defining a dominant service provider. In such disputes, service providers may consult a lawyer specializing in communications and information technology law.
Practical example
A start-up telecom company asked a large operator covering more than 40% of the mobile market to connect its network to the operator's network so its subscribers could reach the operator's subscribers. The large operator must meet the request on fair terms and prices based on costs approved by the Authority. If they do not agree, the start-up may ask the Authority to decide, and its decision is binding.
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 15 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
When is a telecom company considered dominant in the market?
If its service covers at least 40% of the relevant communications or information technology market, or part of it. The Authority may adjust this percentage according to market conditions.
Must telecom companies accept interconnection requests?
All service providers must meet reasonable interconnection or access requests as the Implementing Regulations specify.
What if two companies cannot agree on interconnection?
Either may ask the Authority to decide, and the Authority's decision is binding on all parties.
More articles on Interconnection and Access
- Article 16
The article prohibits service providers from entering any interconnection or access agreement that endangers any person or property or harms other networks or services.
يُمنع مقدمو الخدمة من الدخول في أي اتفاق لربط الاتصال البيني أو النفاذ إذا كان من شأنه تعريض أي شخص أو ممتلكاته للخطر، أو الإضرار بشبكات أو خدمات اتصالات أو تقن
- Article 34
The article allows any service provider in a dispute with another service provider to ask the Authority for an amicable settlement, and to turn to the competent court if the settlement is not accepted or 30 days pass without one.
دون إخلال بحكم الفقرة (3) من المادة (الخامسة عشرة) من النظام، عند حدوث نزاع بين مقدمي الخدمة، فلأي منهم التقدم إلى الهيئة للنظر في تسوية النزاع وديًّا. وله في ح
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.