Virgin Mobile to acquire 10% of mobile services in Saudi market: Report

Virgin Mobile Saudi Arabia said it plans to acquire 10 percent of mobile services in the Saudi market over the next three years, according to Karim Benkirane, chief executive of the company. 

The Saudi market is in need of a new player to raise the level of services provided, and to introduce new innovative services, Benkirane was quoted by Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper as saying.

Virgin Mobile services were launched in Saudi Arabia last September, making it the first default telecom operator in the kingdom, according to data available on Argaam.

Saudi’s Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) shortlisted two companies to be awarded MVNO licenses, including Virgin Mobile MEA, with host provider Saudi Telecoms Company and Jawraa Group (Lebara), which is in partnership with Etihad Etisalat Mobily. 

Zain Saudi Arabia’s host provider has not yet been announced.