CITC says Saudi telecom operators fined SAR 8 mln upon violations

Saudi telecom regulator, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), imposed more than SAR 8 million worth of fines on a number of Saudi telecom operators.

The penalties targeted the following operators; Saudi Telecom Co. (STC), Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily), Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA), Etihad Jawraa Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (Lebara Mobile KSA) and Virgin Mobile KSA.

STC was fined SAR 3.31 million, Mobily was handed a fine of SAR 1.41 million, Zain SAR 2.14 million, Lebara Mobile KSA SAR 218,000, Virgin Mobile SAR 200,000, while other operators were fined SAR 870,000.

The violations include failure to implement the CITC directives as regards a number of complaints and provide required information, as well as launching prepaid lines and promotions without the commission approval.