Zain KSA, Saudi Arabia: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Zain KSA has no 2G shutdown date we could confirm and switched off 3G in January 2024, according to the sources we checked on 26 October 2026. The table gives each source and how far we trust it; the rest of the page says what this means for IoT devices in Saudi Arabia.
2G and 3G status at Zain KSA
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Unclear | none | low | linkmobility.com, wirelesslogic.com Sources conflict: LINK Mobility (Aug 2026) says Saudi 2G remains available with no confirmed nationwide date, while Wireless Logic lists Zain Saudi Arabia 2G as closed in 2022. No Zain or CST statement found. |
| 3G | Switched off | January 2024 | low | portal.powertec.com.au Industry company profile says Zain KSA's 3G network was shut down in January 2024. No Zain or CST confirmation found. |
Confidence is high when the operator or the regulator states the date, medium when several independent sources agree, low otherwise. We recheck every month.
What it means for IoT devices on Zain KSA
- 2G status unclear. Test a 2G device on site before relying on Zain KSA's 2G network.
- 3G fallback no longer works on Zain KSA. Devices built for 3G (UMTS) or that fall back to it lose service; 4G devices with 2G fallback are not affected by this closure.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in Saudi Arabia: foreign IoT SIMs may stay in permanent roaming for up to 120 days. Details on the Saudi Arabia page.
An M2M.global IoT SIM is not tied to a single network in a country, and its data can reach your cloud without the internet through private delivery.
Other operators in Saudi Arabia
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Mobily | Unclear | Unclear |
| stc | Unclear | Planned, 2023 |
All operators and both rules for Saudi Arabia: IoT connectivity in Saudi Arabia. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When did Zain KSA switch off 3G in Saudi Arabia?
Zain KSA switched off its 3G network in January 2024. Industry company profile says Zain KSA's 3G network was shut down in January 2024. No Zain or CST confirmation found.