With the Middle East and Africa Mecom fast approaching It is estimated that over the next decade the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will spend approximately 25% of their funds devoted to infrastructure development on the expansion of the telecommunications sector. Moreover, experts in the telecommunications industry estimate that in order for the industry to reach its full potential in the region, a further investment of at least $30 billion is needed.
MECOM 26th -28th May Abu Dhabi Nationalo exhibition centre UAE
A recent report from Madar Research concluded that the telecommunications and broadband internet sectors will generate US$70 billion in annual revenue by 2015 in the Middle East and North Africa region. The telecommunications sector in the UAE is one of the fastest growing markets, not only regionally, but also internationally according to HH Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahanoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)
In addition, the Electronics & Computer Software Promotion Council (ESC) in India estimates IT exports to the UAE are projected to soar by 56.74% from US$542.32 million during 2005-6 to US$850 million in 2007 -8. ICT Use Index in the Arab World in 2005 was 43 percent higher than 2004 based fixed line subscribers, mobile phone subscribers, internet users and computer-installed base according to Madar Research.
Regional Market Drivers:
- Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications sector is growing rapidly, with an annual rate of 20% over the next three years.
- Telecom Egypt has the largest PSTN subscriber’s base of 10.4 million
- Saudi Telecom has the largest PSTN revenue of US$ 2.17 billion
- Qtel has the highest ARPU of PSTN at US$ 77.6
- United Arab Emirate has the highest PSTN penetration regionally at 27%
- ALJAWAL has the largest mobile subscriber base 11.845 million
- ALJAWAL has the largest mobile revenue US$ 6.27 billion
- Qtel has the highest ARPU for mobile US$ 69
- Saudi Arabia has the largest mobile subscriber base of 14.157 million
- Bahrain has the mobile penetration of 105.8%
- The mobile market subscribers size in the region is a 85 million
- Internet penetration and ADSL subscription is also on the rise regionally
- Jordan’s four cellular operators served more than four million subscribers by end of 2006
- Oman’s cellular market grew by 26% in the first nine months of 2006
- Qatar’s cellular subscribers grew by 19% in the first 9 months of 2006 to increase penetration rate to over 108%
- Syria’s total GSM revenues reached US$ 900 million in 2005.
- Palestine’s ADSL boom: Spurred by residential demand, Paltel’s ADSL accounts grew by 266% in 2006