The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) would receive considerable socio-economic benefits from the release of harmonised spectrum in the 700/800 and 2.6 GHz bands for use by mobile operators to deliver next-generation mobile broadband services.

In particular, KSA would see:

• a total GDP gain of SAD 358 billion in net present value over the period 2013 to 2025
• jobs for 424 000 people by 2020
• mobile coverage to large rural areas, providing education and information benefits to poorer areas.

Any delay in the release of this harmonised spectrum would have a significant impact on these benefits. A five-year delay in the release of harmonised spectrum would reduce the total GDP gain over 2013-2025 to just SAR 96 billion, and reduce the number of jobs created to 75 000.