The program launched in 2010 and planned to finish by 2017, will connect more than 20,000 rural communities in Saudi Arabia to Internet with a minimum speed of 512kbps. This provides Universal Service to every user in Communities with population between 100 & 5000. And for communities with population less than 100, Universal Access is provided through local Internet Centers located within a range of 10 km from each community. The Program is technological neutral. Universal Service Providers are selected through a competitive mechanism developed by USF. The program contain 14 projects of which 6 were already completed, 5 are in progress, and 3 to be released for competition later this year.

http://www.citc.gov.sa/english/rulesandsystems/bylaws/pages/theuauspolicy.aspx

• Saudi Arabia