Zain KSA Acquires 30 MHz Spectrum for SAR 624 Million

Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA) announced on Tuesday that on 11/11/2024 have successfully completed the auction process and acquired a license for additional 30 MHz in the 600 MHz spectrum that uses FDD with Bandwidth of (2×15)MHz, for a period of 15 years, and the total spectrum acquisition fee is SAR 624,000,000 payable in equal annual installments over 13 years starting from 01/07/2026.

This spectrum will be available to use starting from 01/01/2025.

The newly acquired spectrum (600 MHz) is going to be used to provide 5G services in Saudi Arabia, It is worth mentioning that this spectrum band has unique features, such as a wider coverage area and a higher ability to penetrate buildings, which enhances the network’s performance and improves users’ experience.

and following this acquisition, Zain spectrum holding comprises frequencies including 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz, 3500 MHz and 600MHz.

Spectrum is a very valuable asset for mobile network operators as customers demand high speed data services in the Kingdom, additional spectrum enables telecom operators to improve network capacity and deliver faster and more reliably throughput, thus enriching the customer experience.

Additionally, it enables new use cases to support emerging technologies in both the consumer and business sectors, such as standalone 5G (5G-SA) technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and enabling of private networks, in line with the Kingdom’s aspirations to develop the digital economy and empower the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The combined spectrum assets, some which have been already deployed in the Saudi market, will significantly improve throughput rates and experience for heavy data users and allow for deployment of future network technologies, including 5G at lower total capital expenditure.