RIYADH, 30 June — The Saudi Telecommuni-cations Company has announced that starting today STC subscribers whose national and international lines were disconnected for exceeding their credit limit could get the lines restored by paying SR300 toward reconnection charge in any STC branch office. The system also applies to new customers.
Saleh Al-Jasser, general manager of STC’s Mobile Business Unit, told Arab News that under the new system subscribers will be given a credit limit of SR500 for the first line and SR200 in case of a second line. If the subscriber exceeds the limit, his line will be automatically disconnected. However, once he pays the excess amount, the line will be restored. Details of excess calls will be shown in the telephone bill.
The new system does away with the mandatory deposit that was required of expatriates. They were given a credit limit ranging from SR1,000 to SR4,000 for making use of national and international lines. Inquiries reveal that the deposit scheme met with resistance from expats, who opted for prepaid phone cards instead of paying deposits. This has led to a surge in the demand for phone cards.
Deposits already paid will not be refunded however.
Earlier, the STC had exempted Saudi women from such compulsory deposits—from SR1,000 for national and SR2,500 for international calls.
Asked about the thriving blackmarket in prepaid mobile chips, Al-Jasser blamed customers for buying prepaid chips through shops other than the 10 designated agencies. This has resulted in the blackmarketing of chips in the price range of SR250-275.
However, he assured the customers that action will be taken against the establishments that have jacked up the price of these prepaid chips. STC, he pointed out, has 252 outlets, while the 10 designated agencies have a network of 70 branches, all of which are selling the Sawa cards at SR200 each. Activation of the mobile line is automatic and hassle-free. He said a total of 600,000 Sawa cards have already been sold.
