Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions: 3,619,352
[see also: Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions country ranks ]
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13
(2017 est.)
[see also: Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
40
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total subscriptions: 40,210,965
[see also: Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions country ranks ]
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 141
(2017 est.)
[see also: Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
35
Telephone system:
general assessment:
modern system including a combination of extensive microwave radio relays, coaxial cables, and fiber-optic cables; broadband is available with DSL, fiber, and wireless; mobile penetration is steep in Saudi Arabia; 4G/5G use in early 2019
(2019)
domestic:
fixed-line 13 per 100 mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly 141 per 100 persons
(2018)
international:
country code - 966; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, -4, -5, AAE-1, EIG, FALCON, FEA, IMEWE, MENA/Gulf Bridge International, SEACOM, SAS-1, -2, GBICS/MENA, and the Tata TGN-Gulf submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia ;microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
(2019)
Broadcast media:
broadcast media are state-controlled; state-run TV operates 4 networks; Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio operates several networks; multiple international broadcasters are available
Internet users:
total: 20,768,456
[see also: Internet users - total country ranks ]
percent of population: 73.8%
(July 2016 est.)
[see also: Internet users - percent of population country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
31
Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
total: 2,498,692
[see also: Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total country ranks ]
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9
(2017 est.)
[see also: Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
47
Communications - note:
the innovative King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (informally known as Ithra, meaning "enrichment") opened on 1 December 2017 in Dhahran, Eastern Region; its facilities include a grand library, several museums, an archive, an Idea Lab, a theater, a cinema, and an Energy Exhibit, all which are meant to provide visitors an immersive and transformative experience
