In a major move to spread computer literacy, the Saudi Arabian Telecommunications and Information Technology (SAT and IT) Commission has concluded a deal to import one million computers for distribution among Saudis having land telephone lines on an easy installment payment scheme.
This was announced by Dr. Muhammed Al-Suwealm, Governor of SAT and IT Commission, who was addressing a group of businessmen at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dammam.
Those wanting the computers will have to cover the cost through monthly installments of SR100 for a period of four years, according to a report published today by Saudi Gazette.
Al-Suwealm said the Commission is taking the initiative to create a computer literate generation that can cope with the fast-paced developments in technology.
The Commission has assigned Intel International to work out the technical specifications needed for the imported computers.
On other matters, he said, the Commission will license a third mobile-phone operator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the end of 2006. Existing licensees are Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and Etisalat Ittihad, which is expected to start operations by mid-year.
Al-Suwealm also said that a second landline phone operator would be licensed to open up competition in the sector now monopolized by STC.
The company will also offer for the first time an opportunity for international bidders to bid for a second license for land telephones. The move comes within the Commission's strategic plans to open the telecommunications market and not because of the requirements set for joining the World Trade Organization WTO.
He said the Commission hasn't any plans to grant a license for data transmission service until the year 2006.
He said the Commission might grant Saudi Telecom a license for operation of the third generation of the mobile phones by the end of this year, as this has already been approved by the Council of Ministers.
