Job Discussion Forums

[Cleopatra]

Having been spoilt with a super-fast broadband connection over the summer at home, my patience with sloooow dial-up connections is beginning to wear a tad thin.

Does anyone know how to get broadband/ADSL in Riyadh? The only offer I know of is that by the TV company Orbit, who install satellite internet connections. However, it costs over 400 SR a month, plus hefty installation and deposit charges, which is really too much for a single person.

Anyone know of any other way of getting a fast internet connection in the home? Preferably one that doesn't require much paperwork from your sponsers?

Shukran!

[Stephen Jones]

I presume you can get DSL. Go to www.stc.com.sa and there is a link where you can enter your phone number and they will tell you if you can get DSL.

However it is hardly broadband. Prices start out at SR250 for 64Kb - yes that's K not M and b not B! You will be paying more for 128Kb.

Orbit is somewhat faster I am told, but comes to more than SR400; you have to take the TV subscription for a start, and that's another SR120 a month. Also they ask for a load up front, so you end up paying around SR3,000 to start with. On the other hand a friend of mine who used it was overjoyed.

DSL works out cheaper than dial-up if you use the internet more than a couple of hours a day - moreover you know exactly how much you're paying each month. But broadband, as it's known in the rest of the world, really doesn't exist in Saudi.

[Cleopatra]

Thanks for that. I will contact STC. I've also heard that AwalNet offer "Broadband" at the cost of about120 SR a month (min 6 month subscription). That's not too bad esp. when compared to Orbit, but of course, as you say, it's not super-fast broadband in the sense we have all come to know and love elsewhere.

In the meantime, what does anyone think is the best ISP? I use Cyberia mainly, and it's pretty d**m slow. Then again, they're probably all much of a muchness.