Mobily has confirmed that the network in Mashair (holy sites) has recorded a growth of 32 percent in the number of subscribers.
It also recorded an increase in the number of ‘roamers’ arriving from outside the Kingdom. These figures grew by 24 percent in comparison to last year.
Mobily confirmed its success in accommodating the steady increase in the number of roamers easily and conveniently.
This was attributed to the two major central call centers allocated for international calls to all countries.
The two central locations have a large capacity to meet the needs of pilgrims.
The Wi-Fi service has also recorded a significant growth in the volume of the exchanged data in the holy sites on the Eid day.
The rate exceeded 95 percent compared to the same period last year.
Mobily is providing free Wi-Fi service for the pilgrims, after having completed the expansion of the Wi-Fi network coverage in each of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah covering more than 1,300 sites.
The company continues to provide this free service to pilgrims and service providers for the eighth consecutive year.
It should be noted that Mobily has linked all floors of Al-Jamarat bridge with the fiber optic network. This will contribute to a smooth flow of data and international and local calls without any bottlenecks.
Mobily also covered the internal area of train stations with a special network linked with the fiber optic network to pass the pilgrims calls inside congested train stations at holy sites.
Mobily’s Mashair network records 32% subscriber growth
Mobily’s Mashair network records 32% subscriber growth
Record $14.4bn rise in Saudi holdings of US Treasuries
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia increased its holdings of US Treasuries by 10.71 percent in November in what was the largest increase since data tracking began in 1974, according to the latest official data,
The Kingdom’s US Treasury portfolio stood at $148.8 billion in the month, up $14.4 billion from October.
Following the increase, Saudi Arabia moved up one place to 17th place among the largest foreign holders of US Treasuries.
Countries including Saudi Arabia invest in US Treasuries for their perceived safety, liquidity, diversification benefits, and alignment with economic ties to the US.
The Kingdom’s holdings were 17.25 percent higher in November compared with January 2025.
The allocation highlights Saudi Arabia’s preference for longer-dated US government debt as part of its foreign reserve strategy, focused on capital preservation, liquidity, and diversification amid global market volatility.
Saudi Arabia’s holdings included $106.8 billion in long-term securities, accounting for 72 percent of the total, while short-term holdings stood at $42 billion, or 28 percent.
Globally, Japan remained the largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities at $1.2 trillion, followed by the UK at $888.5 billion, mainland China at $682.6 billion, and Belgium at $481 billion.
Canada ranked fifth with holdings of $472.2 billion, followed by the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg in sixth and seventh positions, with portfolios valued at $427.4 billion and $425.6 billion, respectively.
France placed eighth with $376.1 billion, followed by Ireland at $340.3 billion and Taiwan at $312.5 billion.
Other countries included in the top 20 list include Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Norway, as well as India and Brazil.
The trade relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US remains strong, with the Kingdom exporting SR5.20 billion ($1.39 billion) worth of non-oil goods in October, data from the General Authority of Statistics showed.
Speaking to Arab News in October, Nasser Saidi, founder and president of economic and financial advisory services firm Nasser Saidi & Associates and a former minister of economy and trade in Lebanon, said US Treasuries are a critical pillar of stability.
“Holding treasuries allows Saudi Arabia to meet its international payment obligations — finance imports, service external debt, portfolio, and capital flows — provide a buffer against oil revenue shocks, while also generating a steady, low-risk stream of income,” he said.
