Saudi Arabia Travel Guide - Communications

Country code: 966. A sophisticated telecommunications network and satellite, microwave and cable systems span the country.

International roaming agreements exist with some mobile phone companies. Coverage is mostly good.

The Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephones provides Internet facilities in most cities. E-mail can also be accessed from many hotels and Internet cafes.

Internal and international services available from the Central Post Office. Post is delivered to box numbers. Airmail to Europe takes up to one week.

Saudi Arabia has a very tightly controlled media environment and criticism of the Government, the royal family and religious tenets are not really tolerated - although there are signs of an increasing tolerance emerging. The state-run Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (BSKSA) is responsible for all broadcasting in the kingdom. The Minister of Culture and Information oversees radio and TV operations. Viewers in the country's east can pick up TV stations from more liberal Gulf neighbours. The government blocks access to websites that it deems offensive. Newspapers tend to follow the lead of the state-run news agency on whether or not to publish stories on sensitive subjects.

• Saudi newspapers are created by royal decree.
• Pan-Arab papers, subject to censorship, are available.
• The main newspapers include Al-Jazirah, Ar-Riyadh and Okaz.
• English-language dailies include Arab News and Saudi Gazette.

• State-run Saudi TV operates four networks.

• Private radio and TV stations cannot operate from Saudi soil.
• Saudi Radio is state-run.