Middle East - Telecoms, Mobile & Broadband Overview & Analysis 2009

Synopsis

The Middle East mobile market goes from strength to strength, reaching dizzyingly high penetration levels in some countries, whilst growth remains surprisingly solid, spurred on by increasing competition and economic growth. In response to greater competition at home, incumbent telcos have expanded rapidly, becoming major players not only in the Middle East but also in Africa and, increasingly, Asia by buying new licences and established operators. The Internet and broadband sector is much less developed with the very notable exception of Israel and to a lesser extent some of the Gulf countries. Greater market liberalisation is gradually opening the market. This report presents key statistics and analysis on the telecoms market in 2009, noting the principal developments.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Key developments in the Middle East telecom market
  
• 3. Telecommunications market
  
  • 3.1 Overview of the Middle Eastern telecom market
    
• 4. Regulatory environment
  
  • 4.1 Liberalisation
    
  • 4.2 VoIP regulation
    
• 5. Telecommunications infrastructure
  
  • 5.1 National networks
    
  • 5.2 New developments – NGNs and FttH
    
  • 5.3 International submarine cable networks
    
• 6. Broadband market
  
  • 6.1 Overview
    
  • 6.2 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
    
  • 6.3 Cable modems
    
  • 6.4 Wireless broadband
    
• 7. digital media
  
  • 7.1 Broadcasting – the burgeoning Arab DTH satellite TV market
    
  • 7.2 Digital content
    
• 8. Mobile communications
  
  • 8.1 Overview
    
  • 8.2 Mobile operator international expansion continues
    
  • 8.3 MVNOs
    
  • 8.4 Third Generation mobile (3G)
    
  • 8.5 Mobile TV
    
• 9. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Middle East economic statistics – 2008
• Table 2 – Fixed-line teledensity by country – 2002; 2008
• Table 3 – Mobile subscribers, penetration and growth in the Middle East – 2008
• Table 4 – Major Middle East international operators - revenue and subscribers – 2008
• Table 5 – 3G subscribers as a percentage of total subscribers – selected countries – 2006 – 2008

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