Access Alert | Introducing Saudi Arabia’s Updated IoT Regulations

The Saudi telecom regulator, the Communications & Information Technology Commission (CITC), has launched a public consultation to provide interested parties with the opportunity to submit their views and comments on the proposed revisions to the IoT regulations. The consultation is open until the 19^th of May 2022 and comments can be submitted directly online.

Key points of the Public Consultation Document on Updating the IoT Regulations are the following:

1. IoT Devices need to obtain Certificate of Conformity by the CITC and then Customs Clearance Permission. The use of IPv6 and interoperability between IoT devices and IoT connectivity are encouraged.
2. IoT Connectivity can be provided using:
   1. Licenced frequency bands – only provided by CITC connectivity licensees.
   2. License-exempt frequency bands – provided by “Facility-Based Unified Telecommunications Services” licensees or “Providing IoT services using license-exempt frequencies” licensees.

All IoT mobile-based connectivity must use numbers from the machine-to-machine (M2M) numbering range as per the Saudi National Numbering Plan.

The CITC opens to the public comments on whether international inbound roaming should be allowed or prohibited. And whether licensed satellite connectivity providers should be allowed to provide IoT connectivity.

3. All IoT solutions providers are encouraged to register in “Manassa Tech” available on CITC website.

If you are interested in learning more about the updated IoT Regulations, require support in drafting a response or engaging the CITC for clarity, contact Ilaria Bencivenga, Policy Manager or Hussein Abul-Enein, Senior Policy Manager, Access Partnership.

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