Beyond ONE Elevates Mobile Connectivity for Expats in the GCC

Editorial Team

Last updated 7-10-2025

3 min

Beyond ONE is redefining mobile connectivity in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC.

They are targeting expats with 5G, AI-driven entertainment, and bespoke payment options.

Expansive campaigns in 17 countries tailor connectivity for diverse expat communities.

Collaboration with TIMWETECH allows mobile payments for media without needing bank cards.

Their sustainable office designs align with Saudi’s Vision 2030, championing purpose-driven business.

Beyond ONE seems to be quietly rewriting what mobile connectivity means across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. The company, the force behind Virgin Mobile and FRiENDi Mobile, isn’t just selling data bundles—it’s rethinking how millions of expats access digital life. With its mix of 5G, AI-driven entertainment, and tailored payment options, it’s aiming to make inclusion more than a buzzword—especially for the Egyptians, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Filipinos who keep the region’s heartbeat going.

I still remember walking into a small café in Riyadh years ago and watching an Egyptian waiter video call his family back home on a lagging line—it was a bit of a faff, honestly. So, hearing that Virgin Mobile now offers a Flexi Bundle with flexible minutes and low-cost calls to Egypt feels spot on. The brand even sets up promoters right where communities meet—coffee shops, embassies, schools—so people get real explanations rather than another glossy ad. Egyptian influencers have jumped in too, telling stories that sound authentic rather than rehearsed.

What’s neat is that this Flex campaign isn’t just a one-off. It’s part of a much wider regional effort that spans 17 countries, customising connectivity to suit different expat communities. Let’s not forget, around 45% of Saudi Arabia’s population is made up of expatriates—a staggering figure when you think about it. These users want choice, simplicity, and fair prices, and Beyond ONE seems to be ticking all three boxes.

Another thing that caught my eye: the company’s collaboration with TIMWETECH. More than 3.5 million users in Saudi and Oman can now pay for games, music, or streaming directly from their mobile balance—no credit card, no problem. It’s clever stuff, especially when you realise that less than a third of adults in some of these markets have bank cards. Throw in AI-backed fraud controls, and it’s easy to see why prepaid customers are embracing this system.

On the sustainability front, Beyond ONE’s new Riyadh office isn’t just window dressing. The design mirrors Saudi’s Vision 2030 priorities, combining energy efficiency with modern workplace culture. Shared spaces, local materials, and flexible layouts—small details maybe, but they speak volumes about the shift towards purpose-driven business in the region. Their Dubai base follows the same ethos.

What impresses me most, though, is how Beyond ONE ties these elements together. Virgin Mobile and FRiENDi Mobile continue to offer what people actually use—pay‑as‑you‑go simplicity, good rates, and relatable communication. The company’s big idea seems to be about creating a “digital ecosystem” where you only pay for what you need, rather than getting trapped in unnecessary extras.

Some might shrug and say, “Well… it’s just mobile service,” but I reckon that’s missing the point. For millions living away from home, cheaper calls or easier payments aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines. And if Beyond ONE can keep merging tech with empathy, it might just set a new standard for inclusion across the Middle East. Pretty chuffed to bits about that, to be honest, even if digital progress still has a long road ahead.

(And yes, before anyone spots it—this sort of transformation isn’t happening overnight; it’s definately a work in progress.)

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