Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly popular destination, whether for tourism, business, pilgrimage, or work. As connectivity is essential, having the right SIM card can make your stay in the Kingdom seamless. Fortunately, Saudi Arabia offers several telecom providers with a range of SIM card options tailored to different needs. Here is a list of the major SIM card names and what each offer.
1. STC (Saudi Telecom Company)
STC is the largest and oldest telecom operator in Saudi Arabia. Its SIM card is branded as Sawa. Sawa offers various prepaid and postpaid plans that cater to both short-term visitors and long-term residents. It provides excellent coverage across the country, including remote areas, which makes it ideal for travelers who plan to visit different cities and regions.
Popular Sawa options:
- Sawa Prepaid SIM
- Sawa Postpaid SIM
- Sawa Visitor Package (tailored for tourists and Umrah pilgrims)
STC also supports 5G in most urban centers and offers international calling packages, especially for South Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
2. Mobily
Mobily, the trade name of Etihad Etisalat, is another major telecom provider in Saudi Arabia. Its SIM card is simply known as Mobily SIM, with various packages under the same brand. Mobily is well-known for its competitive data plans and solid internet speeds, especially in cities.
Key Mobily SIM cards:
- Mobily Prepaid SIM
- Mobily Postpaid SIM
- Mobily Tourist SIM
Mobily is a good choice for heavy internet users and offers frequent discounts on data bundles. It also provides a user-friendly mobile app for account management.
3. Zain KSA
Zain is a growing player in the Saudi telecom market and offers attractive deals on data-heavy plans. Its SIM card is generally referred to as the Zain SIM. It’s popular among young users and expats due to affordable internet and call packages.
Zain SIM varieties:
- Zain Prepaid SIM
- Zain Postpaid SIM
- Zain Visitor SIM
Zain is also investing heavily in expanding its 5G network, and it provides various digital-only offers via its mobile app.
4. Virgin Mobile KSA
Virgin Mobile operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Saudi Arabia, using STC’s infrastructure. Its SIM card is known as the Virgin Mobile SIM, offering digital-first services where customers can order, activate, and manage everything through the app.
Highlights include:
- Fully app-based activation
- Customizable plans
- Nationwide 4G+ coverage
It is ideal for tech-savvy users who prefer managing their plans digitally.
5. Lebara Mobile KSA
Lebara is another MVNO, popular with expatriates because of its affordable international calling rates. The Lebara SIM is easy to obtain and offers cost-effective plans tailored to workers and travelers.
Main features:
- Cheap international calling rates
- No contracts
- Multilingual customer service
Conclusion
Choosing the right SIM card in Saudi Arabia depends on your needs—whether it’s local coverage, international calling, or mobile data. The primary players—STC (Sawa), Mobily, Zain, Virgin Mobile, and Lebara—all provide reliable service, and each has a niche audience. By understanding the SIM card names and what each offer, you can stay connected effortlessly while exploring the Kingdom.