Sign in Subscribe

List of Mobile Operators in Saudi Arabia

Last updated on 


Mobile operators in Saudi Arabia play a crucial role in providing telecommunications services to the country's population. Saudi Arabia has a rapidly growing mobile telecommunications sector with a high mobile penetration rate. The market is highly competitive, and various operators provide a range of services to meet the diverse needs of consumers. Here is a detailed overview of the major mobile operators in Saudi Arabia:

  1. Saudi Telecom Company (STC):
    • Ownership: STC is the largest and oldest telecommunications company in Saudi Arabia. It was initially a government-owned entity but has since been partially privatized. The government remains the majority shareholder.
    • Services: STC offers a wide range of mobile services, including prepaid and postpaid plans, 4G and 5G data services, international roaming, and a variety of value-added services. They have invested heavily in expanding their network infrastructure.
    • Market Share: STC is one of the dominant players in the Saudi Arabian telecommunications market and provides services to a substantial portion of the population.
  2. Mobily (Etihad Etisalat):
    • Ownership: Mobily, also known as Etihad Etisalat, is a subsidiary of the UAE's Etisalat Group. It was the first operator to break STC's monopoly in the Saudi market.
    • Services: Mobily offers a comprehensive range of mobile services, including 4G and 5G data services, international roaming, and innovative data packages. They have invested in expanding their network infrastructure and have a competitive presence in the market.
    • Market Share: Mobily is a major player and competes aggressively with STC in the Saudi telecom sector.
  3. Zain Saudi Arabia:
    • Ownership: Zain Saudi Arabia is a subsidiary of the Kuwait-based Zain Group.
    • Services: Zain Saudi Arabia offers various mobile services, including 4G and 5G data services, international roaming, and value-added services. They have also been investing in improving their network infrastructure to enhance coverage and performance.
    • Market Share: Zain Saudi Arabia is another significant operator, providing a strong alternative to STC and Mobily.
  4. Virgin Mobile Saudi Arabia:
    • Ownership: Virgin Mobile Saudi Arabia is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in partnership with STC. It operates under the Virgin Mobile brand and targets a specific segment of the market.
    • Services: Virgin Mobile focuses on offering innovative mobile services, prepaid plans, and a unique customer experience. They leverage STC's network infrastructure to provide their services.
    • Niche Focus: Virgin Mobile caters to a niche market segment looking for alternative mobile services.
  5. Lebara Saudi Arabia:
    • Ownership: Lebara Saudi Arabia is another MVNO in the Saudi market. It operates using network infrastructure provided by a partner operator, likely one of the major telecoms like STC or Mobily.
    • Services: Lebara primarily targets the international community and offers competitive international calling rates and prepaid services.
    • Niche Focus: Lebara serves a niche customer segment seeking cost-effective international calling options.

The competitive landscape in Saudi Arabia's telecommunications industry has led to extensive investments in network infrastructure and services. The race for 5G dominance is a notable trend, as operators seek to provide high-speed and low-latency connectivity to cater to the growing demand for data services and emerging technologies like IoT (Internet of Things).

Overall, the presence of multiple operators and MVNOs provides Saudi consumers with a wide array of options for mobile services, making the market dynamic and competitive. The government's regulatory oversight ensures a balance between private and state-influenced operators, fostering growth and innovation in the sector.