Saudi mobile subscribers drop 7% in Q1

The number of mobile subscribers in Saudi Arabia fell 7 percent year-on-year (YoY) to 44.5 million in Q1 2017, with a market penetration rate of 140 percent, data issued by Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) showed.

Prepaid subscriptions accounted for 80 percent, or 35.6 million of total users.

Fixed-line subscribers reached 3.8 million with a YoY rise of 3 percent and a penetration rate of 33.2 percent.

Residential lines stood at 2 million, accounting for 53 percent of total lines.

Broadband users rose by 4 percent YoY to 28.3 million for Q1 2017.

Mobile and fixed broadband subscribers reached 25 million and 3.3 million, respectively, in Q1.

Internet users stabilized at 24 million, with a penetration rate of 74.8 percent, the data added.