Mobiles and connectivity in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is well-connected. Even on long stretches of highway in the middle of nowhere, 4G service is available almost everywhere. Wifi is available in many cafes and hotels, though mobile coverage is often better. Saudi Arabia has a number of mobile operators. The three main operators in the Kingdom are STC, Mobily, and Zain, but STC has the best coverage of the three. Mobily is slightly less expensive, but its service is less reliable outside of cities and towns. Outside of metro areas, Zain is the cheapest option, but it also has the worst coverage.

If you need a SIM card, it is best to get one when you arrive at the airport (if you fly in). The major carriers all have small offices at the airport, and getting a card is simple because everyone speaks English. In cities, SIM cards are available, but only at official stores, and employees are less likely to speak English. A SIM card with 10 GB of data costs around 160 SAR. A top-up of 10GB costs 100 SAR.