in 2002. 11 To enhance the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in the kingdom, STC started installation of IP-VPN service at various speeds
of up to 2.5 Gbps. 12
The telecom sector continues to grow with relative consistency. Service revenues
have been climbing steadily at an annual average rate of nearly 15 percent since 2001.
Despite high mobile revenues, the kingdom’s broadband penetration rate of about 1
percent remains well below the world average of 5 percent and the 20 percent benchmark of developed countries. 13 This situation, however, is likely to change as advanced
ICT projects are introduced. These projects include STC’s launch of a home fiber-optic
service providing Internet speed reaching 100 Mbps for its clients in the kingdom. 14
The government’s Internet Services Unit (ISU), a department of the King Abdulaziz
City for Science and Technology (KACST), has been responsible for overseeing Internet
services in Saudi Arabia and for implementing government censorship. 15 As its Web
site explains, 25 licensed ISPs connect users to the national network. 16 In accordance
with a Council of Ministers decision, the Saudi Communications Commission was
renamed the Communications and Information Technology Commission and took
charge of licensing and filtering processes previously managed by KACST. 17
Because of numerous restrictions on the public interaction of unrelated men and
women and the limited roles of women in open society, the Internet has emerged not
only as a popular means of socialization but also as one that is dominated by women.
Reports estimate that two-thirds of Saudi Internet users are women. 18 Some Saudis believe that cyberspace has encouraged people to lead ‘‘double lives,’’ conducting themselves in a more conservative manner in the public eye while engaging in far more
liberal behavior online. 19
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Saudi newspapers are established by decree. Although pan-Arab newspapers are available, they are subject to censorship and tend to conform to the state’s standards when
contemplating the publication of sensitive content. 20 Public criticism of the Saudi leadership and the questioning of Islamic beliefs are not generally tolerated, but in the
post-9/11 era and amid instances of internal militancy, a bolder and more candid
approach has brought about at least some press and television coverage of more controversial topics. 21 This approach remains limited, however. For example, in January
2008 the Ministry of Culture and Information imposed a nationwide ban on all live
broadcasts from Saudi public television channels two days after disgruntled viewers
phoned in to the Al-Ikhbariya news channel and made critical remarks targeting senior
Saudi officials. The ban compelled Reporters Without Borders to call for a reversal of
the government’s action and the reinstatement of the network’s director, who had
been fired after the incident. 22
Saudi Arabia
563
of up to 2.5 Gbps. 12
The telecom sector continues to grow with relative consistency. Service revenues
have been climbing steadily at an annual average rate of nearly 15 percent since 2001.
Despite high mobile revenues, the kingdom’s broadband penetration rate of about 1
percent remains well below the world average of 5 percent and the 20 percent benchmark of developed countries. 13 This situation, however, is likely to change as advanced
ICT projects are introduced. These projects include STC’s launch of a home fiber-optic
service providing Internet speed reaching 100 Mbps for its clients in the kingdom. 14
The government’s Internet Services Unit (ISU), a department of the King Abdulaziz
City for Science and Technology (KACST), has been responsible for overseeing Internet
services in Saudi Arabia and for implementing government censorship. 15 As its Web
site explains, 25 licensed ISPs connect users to the national network. 16 In accordance
with a Council of Ministers decision, the Saudi Communications Commission was
renamed the Communications and Information Technology Commission and took
charge of licensing and filtering processes previously managed by KACST. 17
Because of numerous restrictions on the public interaction of unrelated men and
women and the limited roles of women in open society, the Internet has emerged not
only as a popular means of socialization but also as one that is dominated by women.
Reports estimate that two-thirds of Saudi Internet users are women. 18 Some Saudis believe that cyberspace has encouraged people to lead ‘‘double lives,’’ conducting themselves in a more conservative manner in the public eye while engaging in far more
liberal behavior online. 19
Legal and Regulatory Framework
Saudi newspapers are established by decree. Although pan-Arab newspapers are available, they are subject to censorship and tend to conform to the state’s standards when
contemplating the publication of sensitive content. 20 Public criticism of the Saudi leadership and the questioning of Islamic beliefs are not generally tolerated, but in the
post-9/11 era and amid instances of internal militancy, a bolder and more candid
approach has brought about at least some press and television coverage of more controversial topics. 21 This approach remains limited, however. For example, in January
2008 the Ministry of Culture and Information imposed a nationwide ban on all live
broadcasts from Saudi public television channels two days after disgruntled viewers
phoned in to the Al-Ikhbariya news channel and made critical remarks targeting senior
Saudi officials. The ban compelled Reporters Without Borders to call for a reversal of
the government’s action and the reinstatement of the network’s director, who had
been fired after the incident. 22
Saudi Arabia
563