Al-Sawaha issues directives to remove block on online voice and video calls

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Sawaha has directed intensive efforts to remove the block on applications that have met regulatory requirements, and allow users to easily access them within a week, starting next Wednesday 29 Dul Heja 1438 H (20 September 2017).

The step comes in line with the Ministry’s ‘Customer Comes First’ policy, which focuses on improving services provided to customers, both Saudi and non-Saudi.

Al-Sawaha, who is also Chairman of the Board of Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), said coordination efforts were on with telecom providers to enable customers access to online voice and video call applications. Telecom providers have been collaborating with CITC to enable the use of such applications at the best possible quality. The Ministry and CITC will periodically inspect applications and approve the ones that have met the regulatory requirements.

The Minister thanked CITC and telecom providers for completing all the relevant technical setup processes as per the latest standards of the communications and information sector.

“This productive collaboration with our partners in the telecom sector comes in line with our ‘Customer Comes First’ policy. It reflects our sustained efforts to provide users of telecom services in the Kingdom with the finest services that meet their expectations and needs,” Al-Sawaha said.

The Ministry has taken several measures to enhance transparency and clarity in the delivery of services. As part of these efforts, it has recently launched an indicator that classifies telecom providers every quarter based on the number of complaints lodged by their customers. The Ministry continues to closely monitor telecom providers to ensure their compliance to the User Protection Document and Fair Use Policy with complete transparency and clarity. It is planning to launch more initiatives to improve the sector’s services and customer experience, and build a digital community in line with Vision 2030 objectives.

Saudi Arabia has one of the largest number of smartphone users around the world and a high percentage of social media users as well. The rate of individuals who use smartphones as the primary means of internet access in the Kingdom is among the highest globally, highlighting the need to keep pace with the rapid growth in technology and provide highly-reliable infrastructure and networks. The Ministry has been working with the telecom providers to achieve this objective as part of the National Transformation Programme 2020.