Doing Business In Saudi Arabia - Bna

gradually taking over this role from the Ministry of Post, Telephone and Telegraph
(PTT).
A cellular phone system based on the GSM standard is highly popular, while
radiophones are restricted. In 2001, a royal decree was issued permitting for a
wireless network to be set up in Saudi Arabia. Nextel Sprint provided the technology
and Motorola is providing the equipment. The system is known as the Push To Talk
(PTT). The project is on a BOT basis for a 15-year time frame. Internet service is
available free of charge, however, the connection speed is very slow and the dial-up
service is chargeable at the regular telephone billing system. DSL service is available
for an average monthly fee of $200.
The Communications and Information Technology Commission has awarded the
second public mobile license to United Telecom Group, Ettesalat (UAE consortium)
that includes five Saudi partners.
The latest figures reveal that Saudi Arabia has more than 4 million landlines, close to
19 million mobile GSM subscribers, four VSAT providers, and more than two million
(Dial-up) Internet users, and 250,000 DSL subscribers.
The Kingdom has direct dial access to more than 152 countries. There are various
prepaid phone cards and prepaid Internet cards for temporary visitors to Saudi Arabia.
Major hotels have either in-room Internet access or in-house access.
Transportation Return to top
The business centers of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam/Al-Khobar/Dhahran have
international airports served by a variety of international airlines. Air travel is preferred
for domestic travel with public service restricted to three airlines, the national carrier,
Saudi Arabian Airlines, and two new private, low-cost airlines, Sama and NAS Air.
Saudi Arabia has a good highway system and rental cars and taxis/limousines are
available at all airports; driving is U.S.-style, on the right. One rail line carries
passengers and freight between Dammam and Riyadh. Jeddah and Dammam are the
main international seaports for moving containerized and bulk cargo, while Jeddah
seaport has a passenger terminal as well. The Saudi Government plans to build more
than 3,800 Km of new railway lines. The most important one is the Saudi Land Bridge
line, which will link Jeddah to Dammam through Riyadh, another will stretch from
Qurayyat in the North to Riyadh in the South, passing through Hail and Buraydah.
Other rail projects include the Makkah-Jeddah-Medina project, which will mainly
transport pilgrims and religious visitors; while another electric, elevated monorail is
also been planned for Medina to facilitate pilgrims’ transfer among the religious sites at
the city. Last, the Riyadh Development Authority is planning two elevated metro
system, which will link Northern and Southern Riyadh, and another will connect
Western with Eastern parts of the city.
Four-door sedans rent monthly for approximately $960, and yearly for about $11,500.
A new GMC Suburban can be purchased for approximately $30,373.
5/13/2008