Riyadh Favorite Tips by anees Top 5 Page for this destination

Mobile Phones, Internet

Favorite thing: Two mobile service companies are operating in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Telecom Co. (Al Jawal) and Etihad Etisalat (Mobily)

Both of them are providing prepaid SIM cards from all over the country, with SMS, Multi Media messaging, and video calls if your subscription support that.

Internet:
EasyNet, the free dial up service can be reached easily from most landlines in the country. The hour would cost you SAR 3.
You can reach Easynet by calling any of the companies numbers, such as 3660011, 3660022, 3660033, 3660100.
The cost will go only for the landline.

You can use wireless net services from most café shops, and in Al Tahlya St. (The smart zone in mid town)
DSL connectivity is also in most 5 stars hotels, with some extra cost for some hotels.
The internet is uses are censored by the sector’s regulator which blocks mainly the porn Web sites.
Don't worry, all famous Web sites are open such Yahoo, Google, gmail, MSN, Hotmail, Youtube, Facebook and sure VT hehe.
There are more than 20 internet service providers in Saudi Arabia, Most of them provide prepaid DSL services.
Orbit, the tv network, provide Satelite internet connection by about SAR 650 a month without a need for landline.
Mobily, and STC have recently launched wireless high speed internet (1.8 mega) for SAR 350 per month.

ATM, Money, Investment

Favorite thing: Each US dollar equal 3.75 Saudi riyals, this valued been fixed since so long, and they seems will keep it at least till the end of 2007.
Transferring money into and out of Saudi Arabia is quite easy through banks branches, some information required about yourself, and the receiving person. It will take about half an hour in some cases for the money to be delivered.
ATM Machines are everywhere (6519 of them) with English language for you, some of them also allow you to withdraw local riyals or US dollars.
Traveler's check and credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted.

Investing
Saudi stock market (www.tadawul.com.sa) is largely dominated by local and GCC investors. Foreign investors channel their investment through the mutual funds managed by local banks. Foreign workers living in Saudi may put their money directly in the market without being allowed to buy in the initial public offerings.
Other investments such start your own business you may look at the General Investment Authority Web site: www.sagia.gov.sa and look at the negative list of fields which limited to locals. I believe its v short list with only 7 items.