Many people in Saudi Arabia recently faced termination of their mobile services without any intimation through SMS/Call and they just ended up with the “Not Registered on Network” message when trying to dial any number from their phones. The reason for this is that your number has been blocked/terminated by the operator/government.
Why my number got terminated in Saudi Arabia?
While there can be a number of possible reasons; one main reason for blockage of a majority of the numbers was the SIM ownership issue. I.e. most of the SIMs which got blocked were not issued on Iqama; rather they were issued on border number/temporary ID. For a number to remain active in Saudi Arabia; it is compulsory to get it issued on a valid Iqama through the proper process of finger-prints. Any numbers activated through your passport border number; must be registered against your Iqama number once you receive your iqama to avoid such termination.
How Many SIMs allowed in Saudi Arabia?
As per current rule; you are allowed to have a maximum of 2 SIMs under your Iqama. This includes both voice and data sims in total. If you have already reached/exceed this limit; you won’t be able to get a new SIM under your iqama. You won’t be even able to update your border number SIM under your iqama if you have any other 2 sims under your iqama.
How to get your SIM information updated from Passport to Iqama?
If you have a SIM issued in Saudi Arabia on your passport/border number; don’t wait for the worse (blocking of the number) and immediately go to the office of the respective telecom operator and get your SIM information updated against your Iqama. Please keep your Iqama and passport with you for this purpose.
However, if your number has been already blocked; you might not be able to get the same number again as it happened to one of my friends. His number was blocked because he didn’t get it updated against his iqama and later when he approached the telecom office; they told him that he can’t get the same number again as it has to be recycled after a year.