Article 21 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
المادة 21 من نظام الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات · الفصل السادس: المنافسة
The article prohibits a dominant provider in a relevant communications market, or part of it, from any activity or measure that abuses its position, and refers the details to the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز لأي مقدم خدمة مسيطر على سوق اتصالات ذي صلة أو جزء منه القيام بنشاط أو إجراء يمثل استغلالا لوضعه. وتوضح اللائحة التزامات مقدم الخدمة المسيطر والقواعد التي يُعد على أساسها النشاط استغلالاً لوضع السيطرة.
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 21 explained in plain English
Market dominance is not in itself a violation; an operator may reach a large share through the quality of its service. But this article prohibits abusing that position.
Who is addressed? A service provider that is dominant in a relevant communications market or part of it. Its definition in Article 1 refers to paragraph (2) of Article 15.
What is prohibited? Engaging in any activity or measure that amounts to abuse of a dominant position.
What did the article leave to the Implementing Regulations?
- The obligations of the dominant service provider.
- The rules on the basis of which an activity is considered an abuse of a dominant position.
The article does not list specific forms of abuse, so determining whether a particular act is an abuse requires referring to the Implementing Regulations.
This article complements those before and after it: Article 20 requires the Board's approval for buying an amount that reaches the level of a dominant provider, and Article 22 prohibits agreements between service providers that make one of them dominant or limit competition, and makes their provisions void. Together these articles aim to protect competition in the sector. Anyone who believes they are harmed by the conduct of a dominant operator should consult a lawyer specializing in communications and information technology law.
Practical example
A small internet company relies on the network of a dominant operator and notices that the operator imposes terms on it that it does not impose on its own branches, aiming to push it out of the market. This may be considered abuse of a dominant position, and the decision is made under the rules set out in the Implementing Regulations.
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 21 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law
Is a company's dominance of the market a violation?
The article does not prohibit dominance itself; it prohibits the dominant provider from any activity or measure that amounts to abuse of its position.
What are the forms of abusing a dominant position in telecommunications?
The article does not list specific forms. It refers to the Implementing Regulations the dominant provider's obligations and the rules on which an activity is considered abuse.
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- Article 7
A service provider must obtain the Authority's approval before a material change in ownership or assignment of its license, and the Authority's non-objection to a material change in senior management, with 90 days for the Authority to decide.
1- دون إخلال بما تقضي به الأنظمة الأخرى، على مقدم الخدمة الحصول على الآتي: أ- موافقة الهيئة قبل اتخاذ أي من الإجراءين الآتيين: (1) تغيير جوهري في ملكية المرخص ل
- Article 15
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.
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- يلت
- Article 20
The article requires the Board's approval before a service provider merges or anyone buys 5% or more of its shares or enough to reach control, and requires notifying the Authority within 5 working days of any preliminary merger agreement.
1- دون إخلال بما تقضي به الأنظمة الأخرى، على مقدم الخدمة الحصول على موافقة المجلس قبل القيام بأي عملية اندماج مع مقدم خدمة آخر في الداخل أو الخارج، وإبلاغ الهيئ
- Article 22
The article prohibits service providers from agreeing on practices that make one of them dominant or that limit, prevent or reduce the effectiveness of competition, and makes the provisions of such agreements and decisions void.
يُحظر على مقدمي الخدمة الاتفاق بينهم لإجراء ممارسات من شأنها جعل مقدم خدمة مسيطراً على سوق اتصالات ذي صلة أو جزء منه، أو الحدُّ من المنافسة أو منعها أو التقليل
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.