Telephone tariffs in Saudi Arabia one of the highest in the world

03/09/2014 00:16 AST

Call charges in Saudi Arabia account for as much as 30 per cent of an average person's monthly income, thus making it one of the highest tariffs in the world, according to the Majlis Al Shura.

According to a report in Arab News, the Shura Council urged the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) to reduce telephone tariffs in the Kingdom.

"A study conducted by the Consumer Protection Society found that Saudi Arabia has one of the world's largest telephone tariffs," said Fahaad Al Hamad, assistant president of the Shura Council.

Call charges in the Kingdom are 35 halalas ($0.00933) per minute while the world average is seven halalas. The Shura made this comment while discussing CITC's annual report, said Fahaad Al Hamad, assistant president of the consultative body.

Ezzuddin Hafiz, a Saudi teacher, backed the Shura's call to reduce telephone charges. "All telecom operators in Saudi Arabia have joined hands to impose high charges on consumers. This must end and new companies should be allowed to provide services at competitive rates," he told Arab News.

Hafiz said reduced charges would help get rid of illegal operators in the market. He proposed CITC to bring down charges to five halalas per minute. "This will increase the number of users and boost the telecom market.


Times of Oman

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