Zain starts mobile operations in KSA

Zain will start mobile operations in the Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, with an operation initially covering 53% of the population in 36 cities. Zain, which will compete with incumbent operator STC and mobile operator Mobily, said coverage will be expanded to rest of the country in stages over the next year. The remaining coverage area will be attained initially through a complementary countrywide roaming service.

Zain, which has invested some US$1.5 billion in the network, will introduce high-speed 3.5G broadband technology to about half of the Saudi population offering services including television, video-calling, multimedia content and fast internet access.

The operation will also be part of Zain’s One Network – which allows users to make international calls to other Zain phones at local rates – from the start of operations.

“We intend to fulfil our promise to offer the community world-class telecom services,” said Dr Saad Al Barrak, CEO, Zain Group. “Coupled with the impressive economic growth that the Kingdom is experiencing, we are confident that all our stakeholders in the Kingdom and beyond will reap excellent rewards.

“The attractiveness of and continual expansion of the ‘One Network’ will play a key role in Zain attaining its year 2011 targets of attaining 150 million customers and being a top-ten global mobile operator,” he added.

Zain paid $6.1 billion for the third Saudi mobile phone licence last year, is unlikely to begin reaping gains from its investments until 2009.

Zain Saudi Arabia is listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange. Zain Group is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.

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Head out of the sand
Posted by Utheman, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday 31 August 2008 at 07:01 UAE time


Very true Zain just started their operations in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately Zain is plagued with the same problem as STC (the 1st mobile phone provider in Saudi Arabia). Both companies have an issue with serving the expatriate community.

Both companies want an arm and a leg (deposit) before they give you roaming. They do not mention that ANYWHERE in their ads. I would LOVE to know why do they require a security deposit from expats and a local national can simply call and get the roaming turned on. I advise both companies (Zain and STC - to go and use some business intelligence tool and actually see WHO has issues/problems/late issues when it comes to paying bills. Saudis or expats???? NOTE: CEO of both companies...time to get your heads out of the sand.

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