Survey Finds Substantial Dual SIM Usage in Saudi Arabia

A new Arab Advisors Group survey of cellular users in Saudi Arabia has revealed that a massive 39.6% of cellular users have more than one SIM connection. Of these, over half choose to have the second mobile line from a different network operator. The need for separate business and personal lines is the main reason for having more than one line (53.9% of those with more than one cellular line). Cost savings was a reason for 22.8% of respondents with more than one mobile line.

On the media front, newspaper ads, TV ads and word of mouth were cited as the three most effective ways that affected the cellular users choice of operators and plans. Respondents reported MBC as the most watched TV channel followed by MBC2, Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera. 93.9% of households in Saudi Arabia have Satellite TV.

"The survey revealed a substantial overlap of subscribers in the market between Al Jawwal and Mobily networks. This may indicate that the actual penetration rate in the country is lower than what the reported numbers of both operators indicate: A good one fifth of individual subscribers are subscribers of both operators, and that over 39% have multiple mobile lines. This trend seems to stem from the ongoing promotions in the Saudi Market that include free credit, no connection fees and lengthy validity periods for prepaid numbers. This means that Saudi Arabia's cellular penetration rate by Q3 2006 (strictly defined as number of individuals using the mobile service) is possibly around the 60% mark rather than the 74.5% number indicated by the reported subscriber numbers of the two operators. This is certainly good news for all operators as it points to the growth potential of the market." Jawad Abbassi, Arab Advisors Group's Founder and General Manager noted.

The survey involved face to face interviews with 674 respondents from different households in the Western district (Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah), Riyadh City, Dammam and Dharan, selected randomly in a manner proportionate to the estimated population size of the different areas. Respondents were 15 years old and above, and were cellular service users. The random survey has a 99% confidence level with a less than 5% margin of error. The survey included 130 detailed questions."

Posted to the site on 12th December 2006