Digital Reach

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10%
Fixed
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Mobile Internet PC
World Saudi Arabia
Figure 1: ICT indicators, CAGR 2000-2004
Fifa village – ICT services to Fifa are provided through a modern cellular and
microwave system linking this community to the national network. Mobile
satellite coverage is also available in all areas of the Kingdom
The capital city of Riyadh along with all other major cities enjoy full ICT
service coverage. Programs are now under way to increase the penetration of
broadband access in all urban centers
the efficiency of education and training and the preparation of
qualified manpower through the use of ICT.
The five-year plan includes projects that cover the main aspects
of ICT usage such as e-government, e-commerce, telework,
telemedicine, e-learning, and digital Arabic and Islamic cultural
content. Furthermore, they cover regulatory activities such as
issuing licenses for new voice and data operators and establish-
ing regulations for the ICT market. The scope also includes
elements relating to the development of the ICT industry, such as
fostering investment opportunities, research and development,
innovation, international cooperation and technology transfer. A
set of indicators called the Information Society Indicators are iden-
tified and measured against specific targets by the end of the plan.
ICT initiatives
Saudi Arabia is pursuing a number of ICT initiatives to speed
society’s access to, and use of, different ICT services. The Home
PC Initiative is a public-private-partnership that aims to deliver
one million PCs to Saudi homes within 4-5 years. It enables citi-
zens to own high-end PCs at reduced prices, through a USD27
monthly installment. The package includes a suite of desktop
applications, free monthly Internet access, training and a wide
range of Islamic and Arabic digital literature. In addition to
increasing both PC and Internet penetration across a wide sector
of Saudi society, especially students, the initiative aims to improve
the computing skills and qualifications of citizens.
“Easy Net” was introduced to reduce barriers to Internet access
and to stimulate its’ usage and penetration in the country. This
is achieved by cutting the cost of Internet access to the cost of a
local call, coupled with eliminating the need for separate Internet
subscriptions. Users can obtain Internet access by dialing dedi-
cated national Easy Net numbers and receiving a single bill for
Internet and other telephone charges. Assessments indicate an
11 per cent increase in Internet usage over the past six months
as well as a major shift to the Easy Net model.
A joint national e-government programme was launched in
early 2005 under the name Yesser, an Arabic word meaning
“simplify” or “make easy”. Yesser acts as an
enabler to implement e-government in the public sector. Its objec-
tives include raising the public sector’s efficiency and
Madinah is a major city and holy site. Citizens as well as hundreds of
thousands of annual pilgrims and visitors to Madinah have access to a wide
range of ICT services both fixed and cellular