Tata Communications on Tuesday said it had secured a telecom licence in Saudi Arabia. The “Type B” licence entitles the company to provide internet and related telecom services to enterprises and bill them in local currency .

This will enable the company to make the shift from offering services as a foreign carrier in West Asia to a local licensed service provider. A statement from the Tata group firm said through this licence, it would now become a “carrier-neutral” service provider to the over-the-top players, large enterprises and MNCs in the region.

The company said it would be able to offer network transformation services in Saudi Arabia and address internet, network security and private cloud requirements across the region.

``A strong digital backbone has become essential for businesses to address the changes in the industry landscape,” Vaneet Mehta, Associate Vice President and Region Head, Middle East, Central Asia & Africa, Tata Communications said.

Mehta added that by securing this telecom license in Saudi Arabia, the company will be able to seamlessly bring carrier-neutral services like internet connectivity, public or private cloud, cyber security, borderless mobility and more such services to the region

It is expected to help simplify the digital experience for its customers and aid them in transforming their businesses.

``The evolving business regulations in KSA are increasingly making it an epicentre for businesses globally to invest in the region. The Type B license enables Tata Communications to expand its reach in the Middle East, leveraging its global expertise and capabilities coupled with regional knowledge and experience to cater to the new customer requirements’’, Mehta said.

According to the company, to succeed in the current environment, enterprises need to adapt their business models in favour of digital first solutions.

Tata Communications has been working with enterprises to provide a secure connected digital experience through industrialised, scalable and secure workplace solutions apart from other enterprise commerce tools to deliver a seamless digital, omni-channel experience to enterprises and end-customers.

The firm owns and operates the world’s only wholly owned subsea network that encircles the globe. This network enables businesses to reach more than 200 countries and territories. Today, around 30 per cent of the world’s Internet routes travel over Tata Communications’ network, the company disclosed.

Shares of the company today settled nearly 2.53 per cent or Rs 17.75 lower at Rs 683.80 in the BSE.