Zain Saudi acquires additional 3.5 GHz spectrum

Mobile Telecommunication Company Saudi Arabia (Zain Saudi) on March 17 secured 100 MHz of additional 3.5 GHz spectrum for 15 years for a total license fee of SAR 624 million, the telecom firm said in a bourse statement today.

The price will be paid in equal annual installments over 13 years starting from Jan. 1, 2022. The spectrum will be available as of Jan. 1, 2020, it said.

Zain will fund the fees from its operating cash flows and existing cash reserves, the statement said, adding that this investment had been anticipated in its business plan for 2019.

The 3.5 GHz will be used to provide 5G services in the Kingdom.

Zain’s spectrum holding includes 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3.5 GHz frequencies.