Jeddah is a city located on the western coastline of Saudi Arabia and serves as a gateway for pilgrims embarking on the Hajj and Umrah journeys. With a population of over 4 million people, it is the largest city in the Makkah Province and the second-largest city in the country. Jeddah is the commercial, financial, and transport center of the country’s Eastern province, as well as being home to the country’s highest gross domestic product (GDP). The area code for Jeddah is 9661.
The primary purpose of an area code is to ensure efficient communication between an individual and a city or country. An area code is a code of three or four numbers that is specific to a geographical area. By providing a code specific to an area, it helps facilitate smoother communication between two people, as the caller does not have to provide an extensive string of numbers to reach their desired destination. Area codes are used to organize different areas within a country into specific calling zones.
Jeddah, being the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, is a primary hub for business and communication, meaning the corresponding area code must be well established and reliable in order to handle the demand. The 9661 area code is well-known as the code for Jeddah and its surrounding areas. The code is used for both landline and mobile phones dialing both within the kingdom and internationally. The city’s area code is also used for a variety of other purposes such as banking and credit cards, local validations, and international giving.
The use of area codes in countries, such as Saudi Arabia, is key to the efficient running of the nation. By allocating each city a specific area code, it helps streamline communication between the cities, as well as with international calls. This is especially important in Jeddah as it is the coastal entrance into the Kingdom and also an important port city.
The use of area codes in any country can be invaluable in the efficient running of communication within and without the country. In the case of Jeddah, its area code is not only essential for ensuring effective communication, but it is also significant in the many other uses mentioned previously. The code is key in facilitating communication in one of the most important cities of the country, and its efficient use contributes to better business and communication operations in Jeddah.
Maintenance & Cost Implications
The area code in Jeddah is for the most part free of maintenance and cost implications. This is to avoid adding an additional fee to transactions in the city that could lead to increased complaints from citizens. The area code only requires maintenance when any changes are made by the Saudi Telecommunications Company, also known as STC, in regards to phone numbers and services.
Private companies and citizens have to abide by certain costs and regulations associated with the area code. Companies must pay a registration fee at the municipality office in order to receive a local business phone number. However, citizens are not subject to any additional fees and have free access to the area code. This means they can make and receive unlimited local phone calls without having to pay any extra fees or taxes.
The area code in Jeddah is as efficient and cost effective as the rest of the city’s administrative functioning. This approach to area code management is what makes Jeddah’s area code 9661 a viable choice for businesses and citizens alike.
Jamaluddins Role
In 2009, the Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, initiated the concept of urban regeneration in Saudi Arabia, focusing primarily on the city of Jeddah. In order to realize the ambitious project, a committee was established, comprising some of the leading members of the government, as well as representatives from local communities and experts in urban planning.
A major proponent of the project was Jamaluddin Al-Qasabi, the Chairman of the Accessible Urban Regeneration Society (AURS) inJeddah. He played a crucial role in the development of the city, especially in regards to the introduction of area codes. Al-Qasabi was instrumental in the transformation of the city’s former congested and outdated infrastructure into a viable metropolitan area. He then responded to public demands, providing the city with a comprehensive area code system, 9661, that facilitated telecommunication and connectivity.
Furthermore, Jamaluddin Al-Qasabi’s leadership was critical in the development of an updated urban landmark that combined the values of heritage with modern technologies. Due to his efforts, Jeddah is now the pride of Saudi Arabia and home to many local and international businesses that have successfully implemented modern telecommunication systems, such as those powered by the 9661 area code.
Tourism Implications
Jeddah, being a gateway city to the Kingdom, particularly for those undertaking pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina, has an abundance of tourism sites within its boundaries. Tourists and visitors to the city require an efficient and reliable communication network that can provide them with guidance and assistance in navigating the city. The 9661 area code is well established and known for providing such services.
The area code system in Jeddah ensures an efficient and systematic approach to telecommunication within the city, allowing tourists to quickly access the correct number for the help and support they need. This is especially important for pilgrims, as the telecommunications services are vital in them staying in touch with their families while they are on their Hajj or Umrah journey. The system also aids in streamlining the many requests for visas and residence permits they receive.
The 9661 area code in Jeddah has become a symbol of efficient telecommunication within the city, to both pilgrims and visitors. In addition to connecting people within the city, it also serves as a bridge between Saudi Arabia and the international world. This is yet another example of the unique relationship Saudi Arabia has formed with area codes and how they can provide an invaluable service to a wide range of people.
Economic Impact
The introduction of the 9661 area code has had a significant positive economic impact on Jeddah. The introduction of a streamlined and efficient communications network has enhanced the flow of information in the city, which has helped propel business expansion. Companies in Jeddah are now able to co-ordinate their activities with far greater ease and efficiency, which in turn has enabled them to capitalize on various opportunities.
The 9661 area code has enabled the city’s economy to prosper as it has opened up new avenues of communication between businesses and individuals from both within the city and overseas. This has facilitated quicker growth of the city’s Trade and Export Industry, with both local and international business providing a significant contribution to the city’s GDP.
The introduction of the 9661 area code in Jeddah has also improved the ease of accessing financial services and products. Most financial services companies in Jeddah, including banks, rely heavily on the area code in order to facilitate transactions. This has allowed citizens of Jeddah to access services such as banking, payments and money transfers with much greater ease, as the number is easy to remember and use.
The 9661 area code has been instrumental in the growth of Jeddah’s economy, and its impact can be felt in multiple industries and sectors. The efficient use of the code enables companies in the city to operate with greater speed and accuracy, which has helped to boost the economy.
Health & Safety Implications
The 9661 area code in Jeddah has also improved the safety and security of both citizens and visitors in the city. The easy accessibility of the code has enabled everyone to quickly contact the necessary emergency and medical services when needed. This has helped to ensure that people are able to get the help they need in an efficient and timely manner.
The area code has also made it easier for the city to monitor any criminal or terrorist activity. The code enables primary safety and security services to quickly access the necessary support needed when responding to any suspicious activity or threats in the city.
In addition, the area code has helped facilitate the process of issuing precautionary health advisories to citizens. This is especially important during times of pandemics and floods, when quick evacuation and medical attention is essential in averting potential disaster. The easy accessibility of the 9661 area code has helped to ensure that such precautions can be issued rapidly and accurately.
In conclusion, the 9661 area code in Jeddah has been essential in ensuring effective communication within the city and with other countries. The efficient use of the code has facilitated smoother business operations, while also having a positive economic and safety impact. Furthermore, the introduction of the code was largely due to the efforts of the Accessible Urban Regeneration Society (AURS) and its Chairman Jamaluddin Al-Qasabi, whose leadership was crucial in making this possible.
