Saudi Arabia has expanded its national fiber coverage to reach 5.8 million homes across the Kingdom, representing a fivefold increase compared to the 2017 baseline, according to Al Yaum. Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha stated during a government press briefing that the total digital divide in the country dropped from 50% to 1% over ten years.
Closing the National Digital Divide
The overall gap in digital infrastructure decreased while service quality disparity declined from 15% to 5%. In international rankings, the Kingdom advanced from positions 106 and 107 prior to Saudi Vision 2030 to secure places among the top five globally. Furthermore, the country achieved these figures across an expansive geographic area comparable in scale to five European nations.
For global comparison, Alswaha noted that the digital divide stands at 26% in rural areas of the United States and 5% in American cities, whereas China maintains an overall rate of 15%. Quarterly performance reports regarding consumer service complaints have helped track service quality and resolve infrastructure shortfalls in the telecom sector.
Expansion of Fiber Coverage Networks
The baseline for nationwide fiber coverage stood at only 1 million households when modernization programs began in 2017. Current data shows that active subscription rates in connected properties hover around 32%, prompting official calls for residents to activate connections to support digital industries, startup ventures, and local growth in gaming.
The expansion in fiber infrastructure serves as the fundamental base for artificial intelligence technologies today.
Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology
Alternative Connectivity via 5G and Space Systems
In areas where physical cable installation faces practical barriers, authorities recommend fifth-generation mobile services as primary alternatives. In addition, the Kingdom plans to deploy satellite communications to cover remaining remote locations. The Chief Executive Officer of the National Space Company will present upcoming space connectivity initiatives to ensure complete service accessibility nationwide.
Future Infrastructure Outlook
The ongoing buildout of digital networks establishes the physical backbone required for advanced ai applications and large-scale digital initiatives. As network operators address remaining coverage gaps, user complaints and technical support requests will continue to direct network remediation efforts across the country.
