Phones and Internet services in Saudi Arabia
Nowadays, it's safe to say that telecommunication is an essential part of our lives in that it helps us to keep in touch with the outside world. Deciding to move to Saudi Arabia means that you most likely will be leaving your family and friends back home.
Telecommunications in Saudi Arabia
Distance is always made easier with easy access to telecommunication services. In addition to keeping in touch with friends and family, it must be said that Saudi Arabia is prioritizing the digitalization of its governmental services. You will need to download and register for a few official apps, and that implies being able to either have internet or data access. The good news is that it is widely available nationwide in Saudi Arabia, and the providers are more than happy to set you up.
All forms of telecommunication that you are accustomed to are available. Landlines, mobile phones, data packages and internet can all be found from one of the providers listed below.
Setting up a landline in Saudi Arabia
Getting set up is very easy, and you have nothing to worry about. All you need to do first is decide what you would like to get and what options are best suited for you. Once you have made a decision, visit your nearby telecommunications office or storefront to get started. Make sure to bring the following documents with you:
- Your Iqama (resident permit),
- Passport.
Each provider offers its own rates and packages, so shopping around before settling on something is a good idea. Ask your landlord, colleagues or neighbors what provider is already set up in your apartment compound to speed up the set-up process. This is especially true if you decide to get fibre internet access as whether this is possible or not will depend on your building.
In general, contract lengths are negotiable and will play a part in the overall fee. However, all the companies offer contract-less service, so there is no need to worry about penalties. Your bill, which is issued monthly, can be settled via online banking or at any of the respective telecommunication offices.
Keep in mind that prepaid packages are very favorable in Saudi Arabia; they tend to be the most cost-efficient packages.
Internet in Saudi Arabia
The major Internet providers in Saudi Arabia are STC, Mobily, Zain, and Salam. They all operate 4G and 5G networks and provide reliable, speedy internet services. Depending on your personal needs, each company caters to a wide range of available options.
In 2019, STC and Ericsson signed a deal to launch 5G services across Saudi Arabia. At present, the 5G network is available in most major cities. At the end of 2020, Saudi Arabia was ranked second in 5G download speed, after the UAE. In addition, Riyadh was ranked as the sixth fastest capital in the world in 5G network performance in the first half of 2021 — with the average download speed reaching 384.66 Mbps. However, in 2023, Saudi Arabia dropped out of the top 10 fastest countries ranking list in terms of download speed over 5G. This does not indicate slower speed in Riyadh, but represents the overall country coverage.
Mobile phones in Saudi Arabia
Lately, Saudi Arabia has introduced a range of mobile service providers into the Kingdom. An industry once dominated by three leading telecommunication companies now offers a wider range of competitors.
Mobile phone services offer packages, phone deals, and contracts. In Saudi Arabia, there are two types of service plans: billed or prepaid.
Billed service plans are contracts between the user and the company that offers the service, and payment is billed and settled monthly. These contracts tend to have certain durations attached, and if the contract is broken, you might have to pay penalty fees. The ease of being billed monthly is a nice feature and something most expats are used to.
The prepaid service plans are contract-less, and the user is responsible for 'recharging' the phone for usage. This is the most common type of service in Saudi Arabia and has become very popular amongst expats. All prepaid service plans entitle you to a fixed airtime, number of text messages, as well as data transmission. You can recharge your account through scratch cards or via your provider's app. Make sure you read your contract before signing to know when you will be allowed to terminate your subscription without penalty.
The prepaid plan allows you to recharge your phone credit whenever you want through scratch cards, at bank counters or ATMs, or on the service provider's website or app. You can also purchase a smartphone at your service provider's outlet.
For mobile Internet connection, it is best to subscribe to either STC, Mobily or Zain. Note that you will be required to produce your Iqama.
Social media in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of social media usage, and according to some statistics, even the highest in the world. As of 2024, about 99% of the population are internet users with about 94.3% having social media accounts. The average person spends over 3 hours on social media and 7 hours using the internet daily. With such a large amount of the population active online, e-commerce is thriving in the country.
WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat are all very popular with over 70% of the population using these. In terms of sheer amount of time spent, TikTok is the first app in Saudi Arabia, followed by YouTube.
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