Universal Service Fund (USF)

The Universal Service Fund (USF) is an initiative launched in 2007 by the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) (now, Communications, Space and Technology Commission 'CST'). The fund aims to provide telecommunications and internet services to populations in remote villages and hamlets across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with fewer than five thousand inhabitants. Ensuring access to telephone and internet services for all segments of society is a fundamental component of Saudi Arabia's development plans, contributing to social, cultural, and economic growth. The CST serves as the implementing agency in this sector.

In 2015, USF provided telecommunications and internet services to approximately 1,546 centers and hamlets in Riyadh Province, with a population of around 506,000 individuals. It also extended services to 2,205 hamlets and centers in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province, with a population of around 555,000 individuals, and to 1,286 centers and hamlets in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province, with a population of around 218,000 individuals.

The fund's efforts included serving 535 hamlets and centers in Qassim Province, 133 hamlets and centers in the Eastern Province with a population of 45,000, and 2,120 hamlets and centers in Aseer Province with a population of 433,000. Additionally, it provided services to 67,000 residents in hamlets and centers across Tabuk Province.

The fund also ensured internet and telecommunication services reached hamlets and villages in Hail Province, with a population of 238,000, along with 119 centers and hamlets in the Northern Borders Province, with a population of 32,000. In al-Jawf Province, 136 hamlets received services, benefiting approximately 63,000 people.

In the southwest of Saudi Arabia, the fund extended internet and telecommunication services to 984 hamlets and centers in Jazan Province, covering 352,000 residents, 439 hamlets in Najran Province with a population of 120,000, and 934 hamlets in al-Bahah Province, benefiting 210,000 people.

CST has endeavored to implement all government-funded universal service projects, totaling fourteen projects, to extend voice communications and internet services to all villages and hamlets with populations under five thousand by 2017. These projects encompassed thousands of remote villages, centers, and hamlets through the operations of USF.