Telecommunications in Saudi Arabia

The market, emergency numbers and dialling codes

Telecommunications in Saudi Arabia

Getting online and securing a good phone deal is a first priority for most people when touching down in Saudi Arabia. The expanding telecommunications market means there are plenty of good mobile and internet packages to choose from. Don’t forget to make a note of the country’s emergency numbers and dialling codes in case you need them.

The market

Although Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications industry is currently dominated by three main providers (Saudi Telecom Company, Mobily and Zain), new local and international companies are continually joining the market, including Virgin Mobile and Lebara (in partnership with Huawei). As the government works to develop the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, the market is expected to continue to grow, attracting more providers and improving services. Read our articles on mobile phones and internet access to find out more.

Emergency numbers

All emergency calls are free of charge from both landlines and mobiles.

  • General emergency number: 112
  • Police: 999
  • Fire: 998
  • Ambulance: 997
  • Traffic accidents: 993

Dialling codes

The international country code for Saudi Arabia is +966. To make an international call from a Saudi Arabian phone, you need to use the country’s exit code; 00. Read our calling abroad article for more information on making international calls in Saudi Arabia.

Further reading

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