Internet Access, Cellphones, RC Housing and Satelite TV in RC Yanbu

Hi. I am just new here..but living in RC is quite difficult if you dont have a car. Cost of living is just fine. Food are mostly arabic and few international restaurants.e.g.: Pizza Hut.

richfng wrote:

What internet access is available? Dial up? DSL? Satelite? Is is restricted?/controlled? Cellphone service how much? Satelite phone service? Satelite TV service how much and how much Western programming?

They are not providing transportation for me so how hard is it to get a car? Registration? Insurance? (If required?)

In general if you can tell us about your expereinces, good and bad living/working there, would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks in advance for all your help!!

There are DSL from Afaq Shamel STC and 3G from Mobily are the best. There is also landline Cable from Cable Net (in Al-Sumairy District).

DSL is up to 10 MB connection and 3G is up to 6 MB (But expect full speed of 3 MB)
Cable Net is up to 2 MB. I don't know about satellite but I know that Orbit TV package used to have them.

Usually houses on RC come with a basic cable including few English channels, such as National Geography: Wild, MBC2, MBC:Action, CNN, and BBCW

Yes Internet is restricted and controlled.

Showtime, Fox, ART, and Orbit could be installed from RC and YC. For Showtime, my friend uses his credit card to pay. As to how much, prices change every few months with good offers from time to time.

To drive a car, you need a Saudi driving license. You could take the tests from Yanbu Traffic Division.
As to buying the car, you don't need a license to get the purchased car in your name. Women could also buy cars in their names in registration and use drivers, family members to drive it. I gave this example to illustrate the need of driving license only when driving the vehicle. Insurance is a must, and it is on the vehicle.

I answered the good and bad things about Yanbu in an rarlier post.

Regards,

I will be living in RC, Yanbu from nov 1st week ... please suggest some good internet services providers and the prices.Please let me know if i can use torrent to download movies.

Ram25 wrote:

I will be living in RC, Yanbu from nov 1st week ... please suggest some good internet services providers and the prices.Please let me know if i can use torrent to download movies.

good luck with everything, and welcome. The two major Internet providers are Mobily, and STC. Mobily has more convenience, but STC has more coverage with DSL and fiber.

Internet in Saudi is censored, but only pornography, gambling, anti-government stuff, and anti-Islamic websites. [moderated: pls use your pm]

You can torrent anything without worry.

OK I've been here over a month now and gratefully surprised it isn't as bad as I expected

RC Yanbu is new modern and spread out, basically Suburbia back in the US. Old City is very interesting, chaotic to the uninformed and is more of what I anticipated of a non-westernized traditional city.... great place just be careful driving. A car is a necessity here.

Beaches are fantastic and can't wait to start scuba diving.

Good to hear, Yanbu is not that bad as you though.  I am in the same boat, probably moving to Yanbu within next 2 months.  Hopefully, will enjoy..

hi there I will be in Yanbu in two weeks time can some please suggest me where i can buy a sim card in yanbu
i will be near camp 4
thanks

which Mobily plan is good unlimited use of skype ,tango and whats app

As you won't have an Iqama you will have to go with a Prepaid plan at Mobily. Cost is 100 Riyals ($26 US Dollars) and SIM card is free. I also signed up for a 1GB Data at 80 riyals/month and they throw in What'sApp usage free anytime not against my Data Usage. Free Wifi at the Movenpick and most RC buildings as well so you don't have to use your Data Plan. Most I used was 400 MB of data in 1 month with Skyping. Mobily also has 2GB for 100 Riyals/month, 5GB/200 Riyals and Unlimited for 350 riyals/month.