Middle East - Telecoms, Mobile & Broadband Overview & Analysis - 2006

Synopsis

This report provides a general overview of the Middle Eastern telecoms market, including key developments in 2005-2006. The market is changing, with rapidly increasing competition in the mobile sector and the gradual reduction of state involvement. As a result of significant investments in the expansion and improvement of local infrastructures, demand for telecom services is growing and more technologically diverse services are becoming available. Mobiles are taking market share from declining fixed-line markets in the more developed countries. Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar are all testing 3G services following its successful introduction in Bahrain and Israel. By 2006 the rate of broadband growth in the Middle Eastern countries was generally on a par with average growth rate of most developed regions. Convergence issues have yet to have much impact in the region. Growth is set to continue as the markets become more liberalised with open competition. The report covers Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE and Yemen.