Saudi telecom operators slapped with SR40 million in fines
Penalties targeted STC, Mobily, Zain KSA, Etihad Jawraa, Lebara Mobile KSA
Abu Dhabi: The Saudi telecom regulator, Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), has imposed more than SR40 million ($10.67 million) fines on a number of Saudi telecom operators due to breaking the telecommunications laws, local media reported.
The penalties targeted the Saudi Tlecom Company (STC), Etihad Etisalat Co. (Mobily), Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA), and Etihad Jawraa Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (Lebara Mobile KSA).
STC was fined SR31.4 million, Mobily was handed a fine of SR1.2 million, Zain KSA (SR996,000), and Lebara Mobile (SR366,000). Other operators were fined SR6.16 million.
The violations included making promotional offers in violation of CITC’s decisions, using frequencies without licenses, failing to comply with the CITC’s decisions with regard to a number of user complaints, using violating SIMs, failing to provide CITC with information required within the specified deadlines.
Other violations included causing damage to public telecommunications networks by cutting off a communication cable, sending Spam messages, and providing SMS service without obtaining a license.