Advantages of Saudi Sim for Umrah

Posted by Ady Grewal on August 27th, 2019

Though Wi-Fi and free calling apps such as WhatsApp, Viber or even good old Skype are very common in these days to get in touch with friends and family, when people are abroad, especially for Hajj or Umrah, yet they might still want to take a Saudi sim, which has its obvious benefits.

1. Firstly, Transfers Company of pilgrims is local and they might want to inform the company about their arrival after landing at Jeddah. It is particularly important for Royal Jordanian airlines which have recently started using the Hajj terminal instead of the international terminal.
2. Wi-Fi is usually available only inside hotels, so pilgrims still will need a sim to get in touch when they go outside.
3. Telecom companies in most Muslim countries offer special rates for calling Saudi owing to the large demand. It is easier for families to get in touch at a cheap price.
4. Pilgrims can avoid voice and data roaming charges on their home country line.
5. If pilgrims with umrah packages from Manchester call one number in the UK, so there is a possibility to add a favorite number which costs SR 1.9 per minute with Mobily and Zain.
6. If pilgrims are new to Saudi Arabia and they get hold of emergency and other important numbers but still there is a lack of contacts. On the other hand, Saudi sim mostly is loaded with local important contacts. These Sims are distributed during Hajj to pilgrims containing even all the important Hajj officials contacts preloaded.
7. Pilgrims should take special care of their Sim jacket as that will be needed for every recharge.

Since data and voice, Sims are usually separate, so pilgrims can choose after careful consideration or best is to buy two if they can.

There are three major operators in Saudi Arabia, so their brief about services, call and data rates are given below.

Mobily:

Mobily offers a special package sim for Hajj and Umrah which is valid for 60 days. The most considerable thing is that Mobily has separate sims for Data and Voice.

Rates are as follows:

Voice:

• Free Incoming
• The charges of all Local calls are SR 0.50 per minute.
• The charges of SMS (Local/International) are SR 0.25
• The charges of International calls to the UK are From 55 Halalas per minute

Data Bundles:

• 500 Mb: SR 15
• 1 GB: SR 25
• 2 GB: SR 45
• 5 GB: SR 100

Zain:

Zain offers a visitor’s package for Hajj and Umrah travelers. Details are as follows:

Voice:

• Free Incoming
• Sim Cost: SR 30
• Initial Balance: SR 25
• All Local calls: SR 0.9 per minute.
• SMS (Local/International): SR 0.25
• International calls to the UK: From 55 Halal per minute
• Data: 0.2 Halals/Kb

Data Bundles:

Noor also has a data option:

• 1 GB valid for 14 days: SR 25
• 5 GB for one month: SR 80
• 10 GB for 90 days: SR 130
• Extra Usage: SR2/Mb

STC (Saudi Telecom Company)

STC offers free apps like Deeni Yaqeeni, Hajji and Al Motawef, to help pilgrims with rituals. The sim is valid for 120 days.

Sawa Voice Rates:

• Valid for: 120 days
• Free Incoming
• All Local calls: SR 0.55 per minute.
• SMS (Local/International): SR 0.25
• International calls: From SR 0.55-SR 0.99 per minute
Sawa Data Bundles:
• 15 GB: SR100
• 100 GB: SR200
• 330 GB: SR300