Middle East - Regulatory Overview & Fixed-line Market & Infrastructure

Synopsis

This report gives a brief overview of the increasingly liberal regulatory systems in the telecoms sector of the Middle East. Several independent regulators have been established and competition has been introduced into most markets to a greater or lesser extent. The competitive structure of the fixed-line voice market is outlined, including the degree of privatisation of incumbents and the regulatory situation of VoIP operators. Recent infrastructure developments are also described and regional submarine cables listed.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Regulatory environment
  • 2.1 Background
  • 2.2 Regulatory authorities
  • 2.3 Privatisation
  • 2.4 Telecom sector liberalisation
  • 2.5 Regulatory aspects of VoIP
• 3. Fixed network operators
  • 3.1 Overview
• 4. Telecommunications infrastructure
  • 4.1 Overview
  • 4.2 NGNs
  • 4.3 Submarine cable systems
  • 4.4 Satellites
• 5. Related reports

• Table 1 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity in the Middle East – 2008

• Exhibit 1 – Middle East regulatory authorities – September 2009
• Exhibit 2 – Major fixed-line operators – September 2009
• Exhibit 3 – Major submarine cable networks in the Arab Middle East – September 2009