Virgin Mobile prepares Saudi MVNO launch

Virgin Mobile is preparing to launch an MVNO in Saudi Arabia after the country’s telecoms regulator the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) issued the firm with an MVNO licence for the country, according to local reports.

The CITC announced in January last year that it is inviting applications from companies for MVNO licences.  It then announced in July last year that it received applications from five consortiums to provide MVNO services in the country: Virgin Mobile, Axiom Mobile, Lebara, FastNet and Safari Consortium.

According to the Arabian Gazette, Virgin Mobile’s Middle East and Africa business announced this week that it has now been granted an MVNO licence. It is currently unclear which Saudi network will host the new MVNO.

Virgin Mobile has advertised a number of vacant positions on its Saudi website since October last year, including head of Virgin Mobile prepaid segment, customer care director and corporate affairs director.

Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It also has operations in South Africa, Oman, Jordan and Malaysia.