Beyond ONE KSA named Best MVNO in the Middle East

Beyond ONE KSA has been named Best Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in the Middle East at the Telecom Review Excellence Awards, recognising its growth in Saudi Arabia’s mobile market and the expansion of its digital services.

The award was presented on October 21 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, Jumeirah Beach. Hani ElKukhun, Acting Group CEO of Beyond ONE, and Remo Schmid, Chairman, accepted the award on behalf of the Saudi Arabian team.

Led by CEO Yaarob Alsayegh, Beyond ONE KSA is the Saudi operating company of digital services group Beyond ONE.

The company said it is now the largest MVNO in Saudi Arabia, accounting for close to half of the Kingdom’s MVNO market and approximately one-tenth of the overall mobile market. It also ranks first in the country for MVNO customer-base growth.

Since 2023, its active customer base has increased by more than a third, reflecting what the company described as sustained and profitable growth.

Two mobile brands serve different customer needs

Beyond ONE KSA operates two brands designed for different customer segments. Virgin Mobile provides premium, digital-first mobile plans for Saudi customers, while Friendi Mobile focuses on the Kingdom’s expatriate community, offering competitively priced services and international connectivity.

The company has also introduced new services aimed at addressing customer needs. In 2025, it launched Virgin Mobile Switch Postpaid, which it describes as Saudi Arabia’s first pay-as-you-use postpaid plan. The service allows customers to access postpaid connectivity while paying only for the data they use.

In 2026, the company introduced Virgin Mobile Aman Plans, which it describes as the Kingdom’s first network-level child protection service. The plans were developed in response to parental concerns about children’s digital experiences.

Beyond ONE KSA has also expanded beyond mobile services. Virgin Mobile Vnet provides home broadband, while Friendi Pay offers mobile financial services to expatriates, supporting wider access to financial services in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.

Company focuses on connectivity and financial services

Hani ElKukhun, Acting Group CEO of Beyond ONE, said the award recognised the work of the company’s Saudi team under Alsayegh’s leadership.

He said the business had demonstrated that growth and customer value could go hand in hand, citing Aman Plans and Switch Postpaid as examples of services developed in response to customer needs.

Yaarob Alsayegh, CEO of Beyond ONE KSA, said the recognition reflected the company’s focus on listening to customers and the communities it serves.

He said the expansion from mobile services into home broadband and mobile financial services was intended to give customers access to connectivity and payment solutions through one provider.

Earlier on October 21, ElKukhun also joined industry leaders on the Telecom Leaders’ Panel at the Telecom Review Summit 2026.

Beyond ONE KSA said it plans to build on its current services by expanding offerings for households, families and expatriates, with a focus on making everyday connectivity simpler and more affordable across Saudi Arabia.