Beyond ONE™ – a digital services provider and investor in the TMT sector that is the owner of the owner of Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa and Virgin Mobile LATAM – and Riyadh Airports Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance digital connectivity for passengers travelling through King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh with the availability of a global travel eSIM. The global travel eSIM will be available for purchase at dedicated digital access points and kiosks throughout KKIA’s international terminals beginning this summer.
The collaboration will enable passengers at KKIA with seamless mobile data access in over 180 countries worldwide, eliminating the need for traditional physical SIM cards.
The agreement, formalised during a signing ceremony at the World Annual General Assembly (WAGA) conference during the past week, aligns with Beyond ONE’s commitment to developing a fully connected world – and in doing so, simplifying and democratising the way we live, work, and socialise.
The eSIM’s features include being able to purchase and install data packages before arrival, ensuring instant connectivity upon landing. Designed with families in mind, it also simplifies data management for all family members through a user-friendly app, making it easier for parents to stay connected with their children and ensure everyone has the data they need while travelling.
Sami Nashwan, group chief growth officer of Beyond ONE, said: “Beyond ONE is committed to creating a simpler, more inclusive digital world for our customers. We are confident that our solution will offer a more convenient means of connection and deliver a more rewarding experience for families traveling from Saudi Arabia. Our partnership with Riyadh Airports extends our current reach with Virgin Mobile in the Middle East and eliminates the administrative headache for passengers arriving in the country. As many people will know, managing mobile data roaming expenses can sometimes be significant and cumbersome. Our solution aims to provide a convenient and budget-friendly alternative.”
The CCO of Riyadh Airports Company, Abdulaziz Alasaker, said: “As King Khalid International Airport serves the Kingdom’s capital city Riyadh, we act as a travel gateway for millions of passengers from around the globe. Our collaboration with Beyond ONE to expand the connectivity options for travelers in and out of Riyadh enhances the world-class choices and customer experience that we strive to provide our passengers. The use of eSIMs is definitely on the increase as more and more mobile phone manufacturers are incorporating this technology on their platforms. By being one step ahead of such future trends, we can offer our passengers a choice to utilise such innovative features”.
