The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) announces the qualification of 4 applicants to participate in the upcoming Spectrum Auction in the 2100 MHz band for Non-Terrestrial Networks, which is set to be held on the 30th of November 2022. The auction has been designed to boost the NTN deployment, promote investments in the ICT sector, raise the spectrum usage efficiency in the Kingdom and emphasize the Kingdom’s global leadership in enabling these technologies. 

CST announced the qualified applicants as follows: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Echostar, Omnispace, Salam in cooperation with Iridium, AST Space Mobile and Airbus.

CST further clarified that the qualified applicants would be participating in the spectrum auction to acquire a total of (2x30) MHz bandwidth in the 2100 MHz band for the provision of Non-Terrestrial Network services, including Mobile Satellite Services (MSS), wireless connectivity on aircrafts (A2G), Internet of Things through satellites (Sat-IoT) and hybrid 5G connectivity (5G CGC).