Saudi Data Sim
 

Hey,

I'm travelling to Saudi next month and I just want to check what is the best data sim to get to put into a MiFi?

I was thinking of getting a STC sim card and get the week unlimited data package on it as advertised here http://www.stc.com.sa/wps/wcm/connec...e/DataPackages

But I thought I should double check with someone who has done something like this before or lives in Saudi

Advice please. Thanks

From what I hear STC is the most reliable/best network, tho Mobily might have something to offer as well. Whatever you do, I have heard multiple times to stay away from Zain.

Agreed, the order you want to use is STC>Mobily>Zain. Mobily is working to give STC a run for their money though and I think either would be a good choice.

Zain for me worked okay in Al Khobar, but was spotty in Jeddah so I ditched it and got Mobily.

Mobily and STC also have top-up cards available for purchase at most stores, while Zain is hit or miss.

Hey that's I'm back from Saudi Arabia and I thought I should fill in what happened.

I originally got a prepaid STC data sim but it didn't work, they kindly refunded it. I then tried mobily which didn't work either and they wouldn't refund my money.

After checking my mifi it turned out it wasn't picking up the correct network APN settings.

So I got my mifi to work in the end with the right APN settings.

Notes for next time or for whomever may find this of interest:
* Add the APNs settings to your mifi before you leave the country.
* In Saudi a 5GB prepaid data sim costs 120 SR. If you are flying with Saudi Airlines they offer a 15GB prepaid data sim with STC for the same price, bargin!

Thanks for the update and glad it worked out for you in the end.

How do you get the pre-paid SIM with more data at a discounted rate from STC? Do you just show them your boarding pass at any shop?

Also, I now make it a point to grab the top 2 or 3 major carriers in a countries APN information online before I go, copy it to a MS word file, and print it out. This after I have asked the reps in shops around the world for their APN information and gotten so many blank stares...

No the 15GB STC data sim is offered on Saudi Airlines in their duty-free magazine and trolly on board the flight.

Yeah I will be keeping a list of APN for carriers next time.

Sorry for the bump of this old post.

But I'm now about to visit Saudi again after already to many visits with horrible internet.

So I'm hoping a 3G will give be better speed. But my question on this post is, we don't need to show any passport or anything like that when buying prepaid data sim at the airport?

H

It's been a while since I did prepaid, and my latest understanding is that they were trying to link an ID to a (pre- or post-paid) SIM card. Oh, and stick to STC or Mobily and avoid Zain (if memory and my picky brother serve me).

Yes you will be expected to show your passport when you get a sim card, as they will need to take a photocopy of it

Thanks,

I went with mobily this morning as STC at the airport said they didnt have any prepaid data sims.

And yes, They had to get a copy of my passport.