Saudi Data Sim
Jan 27, 2013 | 4:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: Intercontential, priority club
Posts: 5
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
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
Jan 27, 2013 | 7:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: شمال أمريكا والعالم العربي - N America + Arab World
Programs: *A, SkyTeam
Posts: 45
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.
Feb 13, 2013 | 9:50 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
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.
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.
Feb 21, 2013 | 6:37 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: Intercontential, priority club
Posts: 5
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!
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!
Mar 2, 2013 | 9:00 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
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...
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...
Jul 4, 2014 | 1:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEF
Programs: FI Gold, BA Bronze, SK Silver
Posts: 40
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
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
Jul 4, 2014 | 7:52 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: شمال أمريكا والعالم العربي - N America + Arab World
Programs: *A, SkyTeam
Posts: 45
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
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