Buraidah, Muharram 09, 1448 AH, corresponding to June 24, 2026, SPA – His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Qassim Region, chaired a meeting at his office today, attended by His Highness Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Faisal bin Saad, Deputy Governor of the Region, and His Excellency Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha, along with several leaders of the digital economy and technology ecosystem. At the outset of the meeting, the Governor of Qassim Region welcomed His Excellency the Minister and the accompanying delegation, praising the efforts of the communications and information technology ecosystem in enhancing the readiness of digital infrastructure, harnessing modern technologies and artificial intelligence to serve residents and visitors of the region, and enabling government and service entities to provide digital services with high efficiency and quality. The meeting reviewed the readiness of the communications, technology, and artificial intelligence ecosystem in the region, and indicators of progress in digital infrastructure and technical capacity development. Mobile internet speeds in the region reached 214 Mbps, an increase of 2040% compared to the baseline of 10 Mbps in 2017, while 5G mobile internet speeds reached 300 Mbps. 4G coverage for the population reached 99% compared to a baseline of 76% in 2017. The number of households served by fiber optics in the region grew from 36,000 to 129,500 homes, a 260% improvement, while the number of housing units served by high-speed wireless broadband in villages and hamlets grew by 800%, reaching 45,000 housing units compared to 5,000 in 2017. His Highness was briefed on the level of progress in technical skills and programs to enhance national capabilities in the communications and information technology sector. The number of workers in the sector rose to 9,507 employees, with a Saudization rate of 80.56%, and women's participation reached 47.01%. More than 30,000 people benefited from digital training and empowerment programs, and more than 10,000 beneficiaries utilized the 'Code' Lab at Qassim University. Specialized initiatives contributed to providing 650 job opportunities and supporting the employment of over 400 young men and women, enhancing the readiness of national talents for the requirements of the digital economy and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The meeting discussed opportunities for development, improvement, and enhancement of digital and technical gains, reflecting on the quality of services provided to residents and visitors of the region, and supporting its readiness with high efficiency and reliability. At the conclusion of the meeting, His Excellency expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Governor of Qassim Region and His Highness the Deputy Governor for their continuous support and follow-up on the communications and information technology ecosystem projects being implemented in the region, contributing to enhancing the readiness of digital infrastructure and enabling smart services provided to residents and visitors of Qassim. // End // 16:29 T M 0133

Buraidah, Muharram 09, 1448 AH, corresponding to June 24, 2026, SPA – His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Qassim Region, chaired a meeting at his office today, attended by His Highness Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Faisal bin Saad, Deputy Governor of the Region, and His Excellency Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha, along with several leaders of the digital economy and technology ecosystem. At the outset of the meeting, the Governor of Qassim Region welcomed His Excellency the Minister and the accompanying delegation, praising the efforts of the communications and information technology ecosystem in enhancing the readiness of digital infrastructure, harnessing modern technologies and artificial intelligence to serve residents and visitors of the region, and enabling government and service entities to provide digital services with high efficiency and quality. The meeting reviewed the readiness of the communications, technology, and artificial intelligence ecosystem in the region, and indicators of progress in digital infrastructure and technical capacity development. Mobile internet speeds in the region reached 214 Mbps, an increase of 2040% compared to the baseline of 10 Mbps in 2017, while 5G mobile internet speeds reached 300 Mbps. 4G coverage for the population reached 99% compared to a baseline of 76% in 2017. The number of households served by fiber optics in the region grew from 36,000 to 129,500 homes, a 260% improvement, while the number of housing units served by high-speed wireless broadband in villages and hamlets grew by 800%, reaching 45,000 housing units compared to 5,000 in 2017. His Highness was briefed on the level of progress in technical skills and programs to enhance national capabilities in the communications and information technology sector. The number of workers in the sector rose to 9,507 employees, with a Saudization rate of 80.56%, and women's participation reached 47.01%. More than 30,000 people benefited from digital training and empowerment programs, and more than 10,000 beneficiaries utilized the 'Code' Lab at Qassim University. Specialized initiatives contributed to providing 650 job opportunities and supporting the employment of over 400 young men and women, enhancing the readiness of national talents for the requirements of the digital economy and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The meeting discussed opportunities for development, improvement, and enhancement of digital and technical gains, reflecting on the quality of services provided to residents and visitors of the region, and supporting its readiness with high efficiency and reliability. At the conclusion of the meeting, His Excellency expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Governor of Qassim Region and His Highness the Deputy Governor for their continuous support and follow-up on the communications and information technology ecosystem projects being implemented in the region, contributing to enhancing the readiness of digital infrastructure and enabling smart services provided to residents and visitors of Qassim. // End // 16:29 T M 0133