Telecommunication infrastructure in Saudi Arabia: Is it ready for eLearning?

Recently, there has been a strong global trend towards utilizing eLearning tools in the educational process. Live lectures, tutorials, online discussion forums, and digital libraries are progressively becoming mainstream education delivering methods in most higher education institutions in developed and middle-income countries. The availability and capability of computer devices (including desktop and laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones), network connection (internet), and content (videos and lectures, etc.) have helped eLearning spread. The different Learning Management Systems (LMS) and market competition accelerate these processes as they try to include new tools and features in their frequent updates. However, it is almost impossible to realize eLearning without reliable internet infrastructures and LMS use. Therefore, eLearning tools in the education process require efficient internet connection infrastructure in metropolitan areas and rural areas. The high-speed and reliable internet infrastructures are prerequisites for eLearning education, including virtual laboratories, remote-controlled laboratories, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). This paper reviews the current telecommunication infrastructure in Saudi Arabia to highlight the minimum required standard for eLearning infrastructures.