Tata Communications get local telecom license in Saudi Arabia

The development will enable the company to make the shift from offering services as a foreign carrier in the Middle East to a local licensed service provider, the company said in a regulatory filing.

"The license entitles Tata Communications to provide Internet Service Provider (ISP) and related telecom services to enterprises in a defined capacity, along with local currency billing for end-customers in KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)," it said Through this license, Tata Communications will now become a carrier-neutral service provider to the OTTs, large enterprises and MNCs in the region.

It will be able to offer network transformation services in the county and address internet, network security, private cloud and SDWAN  (software-defined wide-area network) requirements across the region.

"A strong digital backbone has become essential for businesses to address the changes in the industry landscape," said Vaneet Mehta, Associate Vice President and Region Head, Middle East, Central Asia & Africa, Tata Communications.

He added that by securing this telecom license, the company will be able to seamlessly bring carrier-neutral services like internet connectivity, public and private cloud, cyber security, borderless mobility and more such services to the region.

The filing said that the evolving business regulations in Saudi Arabia are increasingly making it an epicentre for businesses globally to invest in the region.

The Type B license enables Tata Communications to expand its reach in the Middle East, leveraging its global expertise and capabilities coupled with regional knowledge and experience to cater to the new customer requirements.