Keeping in Touch in Saudi Arabia
Fortunately, since 2000 the Arab world has had one of the fastest growing Internet use rates with rapidly decreasing cost of access. Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications market in particular is the most competitive, and in this way, also one of the most diversified.
Its combination of population size and wealth, and its slightly slower rate of economic development compared to some of the smaller oil-rich countries of the Middle East have created a fertile ground for telecommunication giants to vie for profit.
Using the Internet in Saudi Arabia
As an indirect result the Saudi population and expats alike now benefit from faster ADSL fixed line broadband, more extensive WiMAX infrastructure, and growing networks for mobile broadband.
Keeping in touch via applications like Skype, instant messaging software, and even webcams is easy and accessible. Saudi Arabia incumbent (STC), Awalnet and Eitsalat are the largest and most reliable telecommunications company in the nation. STC, known for being consistent and reasonably priced, overshadows the latter both in terms of revenue and market capitalization, but Awalnet is also known as being a reliable provider.
For installation with STC dial 907 once in Saudi and a member of the team will arrange an appointment to come to your home and set up accordingly. While Wifi is widely available in the city and WiMAX and mobile broadband are becoming more and more common in Saudi, ADSL is still the cheapest and best option. The only documentation necessary to open an account is your Iqama.
You can expect to pay SR 149 for 4 GB of ADSL monthly. Long distance calling is also known to be reasonably priced in Saudi.
Internet Censorship
Despite the ease of communication access in Saudi Arabia, content is still at risk of restriction. In 2001 the Council of Ministers Resolution issued a declaration that all parties publishing or accessing data in Saudi Arabia should abide by certain principles that preserve Islamic values and avoid contradicting beliefs or influencing culture.
Pages that contained information about health, religion, education, reference, humour and even entertainment have been reportedly banned as a result of the government decree. Though the most aggressive banning of sites addressed data that had content of or relating to pornography, drug use, gambling, religious conversion of Muslims, and filtering circumvention tools.
As an expat if you wish to avoid Saudi censorship, it is advised to make use of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) from another country or to create a virtual private network (VPN). Do note that using an ISP from another country can be expensive, but that there are plenty of affordable intermediary companies that will create a VPN for you. Essentially, this means that the intermediary company assigns you a new IP address that allows you to access Internet through a secure encrypted network to unique servers that allow bypass of censorship and restriction.
English Language Media
Keeping abreast of newsworthy events in your home country is also a good way to stay connected.
The majority of English language mass media in Saudi Arabia is based around hard news, and tends to have a broad global focus in addition to a local Middle Eastern focus. These publications, both electronic and print, can also offer relevant information, helpful tips and unique advice to the expatriate community.
Some popular options:
- Newspapers: Arab News
- Magazine: Sayyidaty
- Guides: Destination Jeddah
International newspapers are also available for the expatriate community.
