Telecos offer Wi-Fi, other services for Hajj pilgrims

Millions of Hajj pilgrims in Mecca and Medina can access Wi-Fi facilities as several telecom operators in Saudi Arabia are offering Internet services in the holy cities.
We have offered all our services to the pilgrims by covering the holy sites with a Wi-Fi Internet facility for this year's Haj, Telecom firm, Saudi Telecom Company (STC), said.
The company said it has also covered all crowded locations inside the holy places serving them with their wireless Internet service at more than 400 locations.
STC had earlier said that it has covered all of the country's land, sea and air outlets with telecom services including the holy sites in Mecca and Medina.

The STC Wi-Fi service enables pilgrims to browse Internet free of charge.
The telecom company seeks to expand its coverage by targeting more public places focussing on pilgrims and public at large across the Kingdom.

Some operators in neighbouring countries are also offering roaming packages for the pilgrims.
The main rites of the Hajj start on the 8th of Dhul Hijja and end on the 13th (this year October 13-18).
Service provider, Mobily, said it is spreading out fibre optics network, fixed and mobile network towers, Wi-Fi networks and setting up marketing points outside the country like in Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt and Malaysia, for services during pilgrimage.

Another operator, Zain KSA, said it has completed all preparations needed to welcome pilgrims.
The company has allocated service areas in all land, air and marine ports to provide its services to pilgrims, in addition to all stations leading to the Holy Mosque, Chief Operation Officer Zain KSA, Saud Al-Bawardi, said.