Saudi's Mobily says SIM sales ban lifted

By Andy Sambidge
  • Saturday, 8 December 2012 12:57 PM
  • Share via facebook
  • Tweet this
  • Bookmark and Share
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)

(Photo for illustrative purposes only)

Saudi Arabia's number two telecom operator Etihad Etisalat Co (Mobily) said on Saturday it has resumed prepaid SIM sales to new subscribers after regulators relaxed a ban imposed last Sunday.

Mobily, the Saudi Arabian affiliate of UAE telco Etisalat, said in a statement to the Saudi bourse that the sales suspension imposed by the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) ended on Wednesday night.

The statement said that Mobily had "fulfilled all regulations related to providing prepaid mobile calling services, including the linkage of recharge with customers identification numbers".

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia's industry regulator suspended Mobily's sales of new pre-paid, or pay-as-you-go, SIM cards until it met recently imposed rules on SIM registration.

Etisalat said on Tuesday it was committed to its Saudi Arabian affiliate, adding that it wanted to up its stake in Mobily if given the chance.

Etisalat owns a 28 percent stake in Mobily and has previously talked of increasing its holding.

Mobily said the ban would have little impact on earnings.

Related:

Stories

Etisalat backs Saudi unit after SIM ban

Saudi telco regulator suspends Mobily pre-paid SIM sales

Saudi's Mobily posts 23% rise in Q3 net profit

Saudi telco Mobily plans 10% bonus share issue

Etisalat’s Nigeria unit faces additional government fines

Galleries
Clear call: Top Arabs in Telecoms

Clear call: Top Arabs in Telecoms

Companies

Etihad Etisalat Company

Market Performance

Etihad Etisalat Company
80.0
0.0 0.0 (%)
Enlarge graph

Also in Technology

Dubai's du warns of broadband 'slowness'

Saudi's Mobily denies plan to spy on customers

Also in Saudi Arabia

Saudi oil exports drop to 7.42m bpd in March

Saudi airline eyes US, Canada after 777 delivery

Join the Discussion

Disclaimer:The view expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by Arabian Business, its employees, sponsors or its advertisers.

Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

  • No comments yet, be the first!

Enter the words above: Enter the numbers you hear:

All comments are subject to approval before appearingTerms and conditions

Further reading

Get E-Mail Alerts
Get E-Mail Alerts

Arabian Business Power 500 2013 - Top 5 from Saudi Arabia »

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud  Khalid Al Falih  Fahad Al Mubarak  Haifa Al Mansour  Abdulla Al Zamil 
View complete list
Features & Analysis
Chipping in to boost Palestine

Chipping in to boost Palestine

A growing IT sector could be the answer to Palestine’s economic...

Boost your sales with Twitter ads

Boost your sales with Twitter ads

Sarah Rassasse, digital consultant at Prototype Interactive,...

Networking events in the Gulf

Networking events in the Gulf

Diaries at the ready: we find four of the best networking opportunities...

Most Popular
Most Discussed
Read all user comments »
Read all user comments »
Read all user comments »