CST Grants International Cable Landing Permit

Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) has granted a Landing Stations and International Cable Services Permit to Technical Links Services (TLS), a move expected to unlock significant new investment in the Kingdom's digital infrastructure.

The permit allows the company to establish, operate, and manage international cable landing stations and to provide international connectivity and capacity services. anticipated investments reach SAR 375 million (about USD 100 million) into landing stations and capacity services infrastructure across the country.

What the permit covers

CST is the competent regulator for landing stations and international cable services in the Kingdom. The relevant license — the "Permit to provide Landing Stations and International Cable Services" — covers the construction and operation of international submarine and terrestrial cable landing stations, as well as the sale of international capacity inside Saudi Arabia.

Applications are handled through the CST Business Portal (Mutasil), accessed via the national unified digital access service نفاذ. Applicants log in, select the service, complete an electronic request form with company and technical details, then submit. The stated processing time is 15 calendar days, and the license fee is SAR 100,000, invoiced after acceptance and issued electronically once paid.

The award comes alongside CST's updated "Regulations for the Provision of Services for Landing Stations and International Cable Capacities," which cover wholesale infrastructure and international cable services.

For residents and businesses, expanded landing station capacity strengthens the Kingdom's role as a regional and global hub for telecommunications, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence — supporting faster, more reliable international connectivity that underpins everyday digital services.

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