Access Alert | Saudi Arabia’s Public Consultation on Vehicle-to-Everything

On 13 October 2022, the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) published a public consultation titled “Roadmap for 5.9 GHz for Vehicle to Everything Communications (V2X) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” The consultation highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accelerating the deployment of V2X technology. 

The CITC’s efforts are running in parallel to the automotive industry’s work on V2X standards, which aims to ensure interoperability between vehicles brands and road infrastructure. As such, the consultation is timely and requires immediate attention. 

Aims

To support V2X rollout in Saudi Arabia, the CITC seeks to understand how the technology may be deployed, the supporting business models, and implementation barriers. This is part of the CITC’s Spectrum Outlook for Commercial Innovative Use 2021-2023. Hence, the consultation responses will help the CITC take appropriate decisions regarding different network architectures, regulations, and spectrum options for V2X deployment in the Kingdom.  

Key Input Needs

The consultation sets out key topics and questions on potential spectrum bands and authoriszation approaches to support V2X applications. With various types of V2X technologies, the CITC aims to consider, through the consultation responses, whether there is a need to support a particular approach for V2X connectivity. It is thus seeking input regarding the following issues:  

1. Spectrum allocation approach for V2X, i.e., the most favourable frequency bands for V2X implementation in Saudi Arabia; 

1. Regulation and regulatory barriers to V2X implementation in Saudi Arabia; 

1. Frequency licensing, i.e., the most appropriate authoriszation form for spectrum access for V2X services; 

1.  Eligibility, i.e., the type of users eligible to use the spectrum; 

1. Feedback on international implementation of V2X both in the 5.9 GHz band and in other spectrum bands; and  

1. Invitation for V2X trials and demonstrations in Saudi Arabia. 

Next Steps

The CITC invites stakeholders to submit their consultation responses by 15 November 2022. This can be done either through: (i) The consultation platform: https://istitlaa.ncc.gov.sa/; (ii) The CITC’s regulatory platform: https://regulations.citc.gov.sa/ar/pages/home.aspx; (iii) E-mail: [email protected]; or (iv) Written delivery to the CITC’s headquarters.  

Specifically, the CITC invites car and technology manufacturers, government entities, telecommunication service providers, start-ups, and V2X solution providers to respond to the consultation should they be interested in conducting a V2X trial in Saudi Arabia.  

If you are interested in learning more about the CITC’s consultation, V2X technology, or require support in engaging the regulator, please contact Hussein Abul-Enein at [email protected] or Dana Ramadan at [email protected].