Internet through Satellite

Other than STC (wired, mobile and wireless?) and Mobily (mobile and wireless), a 3rd internet provider in the Kingdom is satellite ISPs. For now I know only orbit. I guess there are few others too. 

Until some time in the past, the orbit guys used to shoo away their potential customers (probably they had too much?) but recently they too are in the market looking for customers. One of their Sales person came to me. I just noted the prices, checked with an existing customer who rated it a little below DSL. Still it does have relevance where the service is poor with both STC and Mobily. One of the disadvantage (yes, for some its an advantage!) is that the default blocking of unwanted sites is not there with this connection. So you got to be having lots of self control not to wander and spoil your repute, money, time, future and life (both here and hereafter :) )! But that is what a freeworld is. isn't it? You got to have the freedom to be  and not to be! 

I am afraid there is download and upload size limit per day except for the 2k per month subscription. For locations where 20 or more people can be organized, an unlimited internet connection shared among as many people for SR 100/- a month I believe should be a good bargain.

Please see below the price list I was given. Not sure how authentic it is and whether it is valid now. 

Be alert while sending money through remittance centers

Ok, this one is something that I should not write here as it has nothing to do with usual topics of this blog. Still I feel it has some relevance as it relates to Expats!

I am sure many amongst us visit either AlRajhi or telemoney remittance centers. The counter staff with whom we interact, we take them for granted and assume that they are professionals in their trade. While sending money, we calculate, count and pass the money to them. When they notify us that there is a shortage, we immediately oblige and give him what he demands. Some of my friends had bad experiences. One of them was told it is short by SR 500/- and another was told 100/-. Both of them were sure they counted the money well. The former one, when he was told there is shortage, believed point blank (?), withdrew another 500/- from ATM and paid the teller. Once he was home and calculated everything, he found that he was short of SR 500/-! He went back to the bank the next day, and obviously they sent him off saying that there was no such mistake. The 2nd guy who was told an SR 100/- shortage, didn't buy the teller's claim and argued back. He put the matter for later resolution saying that he was given the money from his office by his company accountant. So, he said he will get back to him after checking with the accountant. Later, after reaching his office and confirming with the accountant and as soon as he called the teller over mobile, before he could explain, the teller told him "It's ok, we found the money from the floor!"

What I am afraid is, something they started on small scale is now getting into large scale and is spreading. So next time, be prepared, count your money before passing to the teller, and don't agree with him when he alleges there is shortage. Be reasonable while putting your arguments and always try to involve his superior. Usually supervisors tends to be more responsible and less prone to this kind of get rich quick syndrome.

WiMax from Mobily

Since 2nd of this month, mobily offers Wimax in 4 cities in the Kingdom.  Wimax has been there in these cities since sometime, offered by Bayanat . I did subscribe for a 512K connection with Bayanat and was quite satisfied with the ease of setting up (there was nothing to setup!) and the speed. The problem at the time was that it was available only somewhere around 5 or so km within their tower near Kingdom building.  I subscribed for 3 months only but was able to use a little more than that. Probably their backend operations were not so efficient at the time. I couldn't figure out their SMTP server and since it was most necessary, I didn't continue. 

Update on 24 Dec 2008:

I just figured out the SMTP server. There may be more than one probably but this one is working. It is mx1.bayanat.com.sa

Now that mobily took over Bayanat, hope some of you will come forward to tell the experience. Once mobily took over, the number of subscription might have zoomed and does this cause any degradation in speed? Is the SMTP address still unknown? 

I have been scrounging mobily site since some days to find out the finer details of their offer and today happened to see the flashing link they provided at the top of the page. Following is what comes when the link is clicked. See that if you have any plans to subscribe, then do it right away to save the price (300/- to 400/- SR) of the CPE (which as per mobily is wireless modem. What I got with the Bayanat subscription wasn't a wireless modem. To connect the laptop, I had to use either a wired LAN connection or a connection from a wireless router in the LAN where the CPE too is connected. The CPE is connected with the LAN using regular LAN (UTP?) cable.)

Broadband @ Home Experience reliable hi-speed internet service at the convenience of your home Mobily introduces broadband @ home, a wireless internet services for your home with unmatched reliability, convenience and affordability. Take advantage from a host of unparalleled benefits: Wireless broadband internet – No landline required. The only prepaid broadband service in the kingdom. Real broadband speeds up to 2 Mbps. Plug & Play installation. Hassle-free services relocation – No long term obligation in case of change of address. Get your broadband @ home this Ramadan and benefit from: Free wireless modem. Zero activation fee. Special Ramadan tariffs. Special Ramadan Offer: 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month 12 Month Wireless Modem (one off cost) 200 SR 100 SR Free Free One Time Activation Fee Free Free Free Free Tariff Price 250 SR 800 SR 1500 SR 3000 SR Total Initial Payment 450 SR 900 SR 1500 SR 3000 SR broadband @ home pricing after Ramadan: 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month 12 Month Wireless Modem (one off cost) 200 SR 100 SR Free Free One Time Activation Fee 300 SR 300 SR 300 SR 300 SR Tariff Price 299 SR 850 SR 1600 SR 3000 SR Total Initial Payment 799 SR 1250 SR 1900 SR 3300 SR

SMTP for AFAQ DSL Shamil

I had problem finding this information. It is not kind of a special knowledge for a google search may bring it, but it takes time.

To avoid sifting through tons of result pages, thought it would be helpful if I do a post just for the purpose. Please do take some time to write a comment if it was of help to any of you.

So the SMTP for AFAQ DSL connection is: mail1.saudi.net.sa and the port is 25 as it is generally. mx1.saudi.net.sa equally works.

Note:Weird it seems, but it doesn't function in Jeddah while in Riyadh its ok! Any idea?

Mobily connect tips/quirks

1. I was using mobliy connect post paid for sometime but now has changed to prepaid. One of the quirks I observed is in the connect parameters of the mobily supplied usb modem user interface. When 'mobily connect' is clicked, it has a tab for setting the connection parameters. In my case, it does have a pre-set profile for both postpaid and prepaid and unfortunately it defaults to the postpaid. So everytime I need to connect, I have to click the setting and choose pre-paid (The only difference between the two is in the APN. For postpaid it is Web1 and for the latter it is Web2). The button to modify and delete are disabled!

2. I tried sending mails from outlook over a connection of mobily connect but couldn't find any docs that specify the smtp server to be used. mail.nesma.net.sa used to work before but now a strange delivery failure message is returned, which says the particular IP (assigned when we connect) is blocked by some xyz! ( the message is IP# xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is blacklisted by zen.spamhaus.org. No mail will be accepted)

3. With postpaid the top download speed I observed was upto 250 k bytes/sec and now with pre paid I have seen it crossing 300 KB! I don't know whether it is likewise now with postpaid.

4. In the beginning, sending SMS used to be free from postpaid, but later on they started adding the cost in my invoice. With pre-paid, I haven't tried yet.

Mobily connect for business

Mobily connect now has started offering the 3G connect for corporates too. (By the way the AFAQ Shamil from STC too is now open for corporates!)

Following is a copy/paste from mobily site. I can't get the link because its available only if you login to the mobily site.

Mobily Connect Business enables your Business to access the Internet or your Corporate Intranet easy, cheap and extremely fast. With Mobily Connect Business you achieve download speed of up to 7.2 Mbps, whether you are at home; at the office; on the road; sitting in a café, or anywhere else for that matter, with Mobily’s comprehensive coverage.

Also, if you are not using your own email server inside your Company each Mobily Connect subscriber will benefit from a state-of-the-art e-mail service.

Mobily Connect Business offers its users convenience with its easy to use Plug & Play USB modems for single or multiple users that allows connecting in minutes. For more sophisticated requirements. Mobily Connect is a service that helps you get more out of your Wireless Connection.

Choose your desired bundle and enjoy a hassle free experience. If you subscribe to any of our business bundles, you get a data SIM card, a USB 7.2Mbps modem or a USB 7.2 router, free included e -mail accounts with 1 GB inbox size each and free data according to your subscription type (1GB; 5GB; Unlimited).

USB Connect Corporate Bundle:

Bundle Type	1 GB	5 GB	Unlimited
Stand Alone Device	950 SR
1 month bundle	950 SR	1050 SR	1200 SR
6 months bundle	1150 SR	1750 SR	2650 SR
	extra 1 month for free
12 months bundle*	1750 SR	2950 SR	4750 SR
	extra 3 months for free

* With 12 month unlimited customer have option to take 3 months add on for free or another USB Connect for free

Router Corporate Bundle:

Bundle Type	1 GB	5 GB	Unlimited
Stand Alone Device	1300 SR
1 month bundle	1200 SR	1300 SR	1450 SR
6 months bundle	1550 SR	2150 SR	3050 SR
	extra 1 month for free
12 months bundle*	2150 SR	3350 SR	5150 SR
	extra 3 months for free

* With 12 month unlimited customer have option to take 3 months add on for free or another router or USB Connect for free

* Prices include the data bundle price for 1, 6 and 12 months subscription + hardware and Data SIM card.
* One Data SIM
* Free Included Email addresses
* Data Subscription for the first month
* Hardware (USB Connect Card or USB Router) the following prices will apply:
* You can buy the 7.2 Mbps USB modem and the Wireless router also separate in combination with your existing Mobily SIM and data subscription.

Whats wrong with Zajoulnet?

Since at least a week, I am so crestfallen with the performance of Zajoul connection. Sometimes it is worst than a dialup when my connection is supposed to be fast (1MB). What happened with them. there is no answer when their 800 number was tried.

Any one had similar experience?

Update on 02-July-2008: My Zbox was showing red on the internet indicator since last friday afternoon and I was without connection ever since. I have been calling their toll free number (920000820) and was forced to listen to Muhammed Sakka for long time and many times and every time none was there to answer my calls. Today, luck had it on me and it was answered! Up on hearing the complaint they advised me to call the modem support number - 8001244999. I called this number and they fixed the problem and now it is working though the speed is still much lower than expected. They additionally advised to call STC because there is frequent disconnection in the line which I am not going to, because there was nothing of the sort with DSL. It was on all the while when I had this problem for the last 5 days.

Update on 6th Jul 2008: The connection, was functioning at-least for namesake (with reduced speed) until last night. Since last night, the red light on the internet indicator reappeared. Waited until 8 am to call the support. Tried the 800 number and none attended and then tried 9200.. number and as usual, after a long wait (8+ minutes), I was answered and was told again to call the modem support number. This time another modem support number was given which is 920000720. To my misfortune, I assumed it as a free number and listened to the recorded message for about 20 minutes in my postpaid mobile. No one attended.

Then as a sudden revelation, it came to my mind that if in case its a paid call, I am doing something very foolish. How to check? Ok, there is a way. I used another mobile with pre-paid credit and listened the recorded messages for about 34 seconds. On disconnecting, what I saw was really scary. A clean 43 halalah's has been zapped from the credit! I have been listening to the recorded messages since last few days for long durations, and I going to have a treat when I get my mobile bill! :)

Anyone reading this, if not aware already, be warned that calling Zajoul using 9200.. numbers cost dearly. Probably thats the case with every 92 numbers. (Is it one more revenue stream for STC and the participating firms ?! )

After all those misfortune, one good thing happened was, by 8:45 am, the internet indicator changed from red to off and after sometime to green and thereafter the internet was ok.

Zajoul's latest offer ZBOX

Starting with GITEX Riydah that was held from 20-24 April, Zajoulnet is running a promotional offer where you shall get double speed (1M for the price of 512K), free router (ZBox) and a 10 SR calling card.

I couldn't resist and the other day bought a 512K (effectively 1M) for SR 410/- from Obeikan Bookshop. So far my experience is mixed.

1. Setting up is easy and a no-brainer. Connect everything (DSL line, power), browse, it goes to the registration page and register yourself, reboot the router and you are done.

2. The ZBox's configuration screen is too simple. Most of the options are there. Missing are the user-id and password parameters which implies that you can use this router only to connect with Zajoul. That was little un-professional of them

3. You can make the wireless LAN secure but once you switch off and on, all those security settings are gone! This too is a big annoyance. The security settings now stays once I downloaded the latest firmware from their site.

That's all for now. As and when I gets time and I get surprises (+ve and -ve) I shall try updating here!

Update on 6th May 2008:
Generally the service is good and connection is fast but I also have few disappointments:

1. There is now big noise while making phone calls - to the extent that to understand what the caller is saying, I have to concentrate heavily. If I switch off the ZBox, the noise is gone. Called the support and they said I am the first one reporting such a problem. He also advised to connect a noise canceler filter available in the market for 20 or 30 SR. To my query that why there is no noise when using other routers, he said zbox might have come without a noise cancellation filter.

2. The connection is not stable enough. At-least once a day I am forced to reset the modem. I do this when I see that the internet indicating LED is off. At times to get reconnected, I have to reset it many times.

3. When I do this, at times, a phantom IP number (?!) appears on my laptop. The normal connected icon (in the system tray) shows disconnected but if I run lookatlan there this phantom IP is listed. Unless I remove this (don't know how except by rebooting), system does not connect to internet even after connecting to the router.

DSL again

I was looking afresh this morning the DSL prices from different ISPs. Going through the list below tells the obvious. That cyberia offers the best price (isn't it?). Zajoul and Sahara I believe are the least expensive. If the payment is made through credit card there is an additional discount of 10%. The obvious question that would come up in your mind I guess would be about the quality of the connection. Let us assume that those taking higher prices are providing better connectivity. So be it. I prefer spending less and does not suffer from the illness of show-off. (Believe me, I know many who would go for the costlier ones assuming that higher cost always guarantee better quality, service etc. In a fairworld that may be right. With some reputed brands and providers it may be true. Other than that, applying this rule blindly, you are living in your own utopia - excuse me!)

I got impressed with cyberia's prices (obviously :) ) and set out using it and I never had to call their support. What more do I need!


Nesma

Plan	Period	Price SR	FREE
Nesma DSL 4 Mbps	1 Month	580	Email
Nesma DSL 4 Mbps	3 Months	1480	Email
Nesma DSL 4 Mbps	6 Months	2940	Email
Nesma DSL 4 Mbps	12 Months	5850	Email
Nesma DSL 2 Mbps	1 Month	358	Email
Nesma DSL 2 Mbps	3 Months	960	Email
Nesma DSL 2 Mbps	6 Months	1868	Email
Nesma DSL 2 Mbps	12 Months	3570	Email
Nesma DSL 1 Mbps	1 Month	160	Email
Nesma DSL 1 Mbps	3 Months	455	Email
Nesma DSL 1 Mbps	6 Months	865	Email
Nesma DSL 1 Mbps	12 Months	1555	Email
Nesma DSL 512K	1 Month	90	Email
Nesma DSL 512K	3 Months	255	Email
Nesma DSL 512K	6 Months	485	Email
Nesma DSL 512K	12 Months	875	Email
Nesma DSL 256K	1 Month	50	Email
Nesma DSL 256K	3 Months	145	Email
Nesma DSL 256K	6 Months	275	Email
Nesma DSL 256K	12 Months	500	Email
Nesma DSL 128K	1 Month	45	Email
Nesma DSL 128K	3 Months	130	Email
Nesma DSL 128K	6 Months	245	Email
Nesma DSL 128K	12 Months	440	Email

Cyberia prices

Speed 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months One Year 128k 40 70 110 200 380 256k 50 80 135 255 480 512k 80 145 220 410 780 1 M 150 255 410 770 1,440 2 M 290 550 780 1,480 2,800

Equipment Prices (Optional)

USB Modem 150 Alcatel 4 Port Modem Router 250 Alcatel Wireless 4 Port Modem Router 300

Awalnet

Subscription Without Hardware:-

Price SR	Period	Plan
585	1 Month	DSL 4MB
1670	3 Months
3170	6 Months
6020	12Months
305	1 Month	DSL 2MB
870	3 Months
1655	6 Months
2999	12Months
160	1 Month	DSL 1MB
455	3 Months
865	6 Months
1555	12Months
90	1 Month	DSL 512K
255	3 Months
485	6 Months
875	12Months
50	1 Month	DSL 256K
145	3 Months
275	6 Months
500	12Months
45	1 Month	DSL 128K
130	3 Months
245	6 Months
440	12Months
40	1 Month	DSL 64K
115	3 Months
220	6 Months
395	12Months

SPS Net

DSL 64 Kbps New Account 1 Months 40 S.R. 3 Months 95 S.R. 6 Months 190 S.R. 12 Months 350 S.R. DSL 64 Kbps ReNew Account 1 Months 40 S.R. 3 Months 95 S.R. 6 Months 190 S.R. 12 Months 350 S.R.

DSL 128 Kbps New Account 1 Months 60 S.R. 3 Months 170 S.R. 6 Months 325 S.R. Package 1 12 Months 635 S.R. Package 1 DSL 128 Kbps ReNew Account 1 Months 60 S.R. 3 Months 170 S.R. 6 Months 325 S.R. 12 Months 635 S.R.

DSL 256 Kbps New Account 1 Months 80 S.R. 3 Months 200 S.R. 6 Months 370 S.R. Package 2 12 Months 710 S.R. Package 3 DSL 256 Kbps ReNew Account 1 Months 80 S.R. 3 Months 200 S.R. 6 Months 370 S.R. 12 Months 710 S.R.

DSL 512 Kbps New Account 1 Months 125 S.R. 3 Months 350 S.R. 6 Months 660 S.R. Package 2 12 Months 1195 S.R. Package 3 DSL 512 Kbps ReNew Account 1 Months 125 S.R. 3 Months 350 S.R. 6 Months 660 S.R. 12 Months 1195 S.R.

DSL 1024 Kbps New Account 1 Months 200 S.R. 3 Months 550 S.R. 6 Months 1030 S.R. Package 2 12 Months 1995 S.R. Package 3 DSL 1024 Kbps ReNew Account 1 Months 200 S.R. 3 Months 550 S.R. 6 Months 1030 S.R. 12 Months 1995 S.R.

DSL 2048 Kbps New Account 1 Months 370 S.R. 3 Months 1110 S.R. 6 Months 2170 S.R. Package 2 12 Months 4000 S.R. Package 3 DSL 2048 Kbps ReNew Account 1 Months 370 S.R. 3 Months 1110 S.R. 6 Months 2170 S.R. 12 Months 4000 S.R.

DSL 4096 Kbps New Account 1 Months 570 S.R. 3 Months 1690 S.R. 6 Months 3340 S.R. Package 2 12 Months 6600 S.R. Package 3 DSL 4096 Kbps ReNew Account 1 Months 570 S.R. 3 Months 1690 S.R. 6 Months 3340 S.R. 12 Months 6600 S.R.