Wireless Intelligence also reported that the Middle East market grew by 30% in 2006 and is the second- fastest growing region in the world, expected to grow a further 25% this year.
The market that stands out most of all is Saudi Arabia. It has the largest economy in the Middle East and with 27.6 million inhabitants, is the most populous of the 6 Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Mobile penetration in Saudi Arabia was 80.4% at end-March, but there is still room for growth, as penetration rates in the other wealthy Gulf Emirates: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE are in excess of 100%. The Saudi telecom sector generated
US$10.7 billion in revenues in 2006, of which US$8.1 billion was from mobile. The sector grew 18% year-on-year in 2006 and contributed 3% to GDP.
Saudi Arabia is not the only country in expansion as a brief look at other markets in the Middle East provides an indication as to how Iran's mobile market may develop. Saudi Arabia and Syria, the last two countries in the Middle East to introduce prepaid in 2002 and 2003 respectively, witnessed 90% and 175% increases in their subscriber bases in the 12 months after prepaid was introduced (Informa Telecoms & Media).
At end-June 2005 there were 5.38 million GSM subscribers in Iran, equivalent to just 7.8% penetration and up from 5.3% end-December 2004. While it is clear that the market is ripe for a phase of rapid growth, calculations of return on investment should be measured with reference to the country's per capita gross national income, which, the World Bank reported was just US$2,300 at end- 2004. TCI, the monopoly nationwide operator, is experiencing erratic quarter-on-quarter net additions, attributable more to the constraints placed on it by the regulator in signing up new users than to the nature of demand for mobile services in the country.
According to local media reports, Iran has also announced tender regulations for the country's third mobile license. Potential applicants must reportedly offer 3G services and make their bids in cooperation with an Iranian partner but as with Irancell's license arrangement, foreign investment in the new operator should not exceed 49%. South Africa's MTN owns 49% of Irancell, which launched services on 21st October with Iranian investors owning the rest. Irancell's launch followed controversy, after Turkcell was removed as a partner in the venture for "failure to meet obligations and submit licensing payments." MTN replaced Turkcell.
Hear more from MTC Saudi Arabia and Irancell in their speaker sessions at GSM > 3G Middle East & Gulf Congress & Exhibition 2-3 September 2007 in Dubai. A line up of 90 speakers will present across 2 strategic sessions and 6 streams alongside an exhibition featuring 160 of the leading international vendors. This 12th event will bring together 3,000 of the region's senior level decision makers to learn, network and do business.
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Middle East to pass 150 million mobile connections
- United Arab Emirates: Monday, July 09 - 2007 at 16:45
- PRESS RELEASE
The Middle East will pass 150 million mobile connections as well as the 50 per cent penetration rate in 2Q07, according to Wireless Intelligence, a joint venture between the GSM Association and Ovum.
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Notes and media contacts
Free attendance applies to Operators & Regulators until 10th August and all members of the press.Sponsors
Powerwave - Huawei - Ericsson - Nokia Siemens Networks - QUALCOMM - Convergys - Bharti Telesoft - ESKADENIA Software - Obethur Card Systems - HP - SmartTrust - Redknee - Acision - Sicap - Bercut - Gemalto - Belgacom
The Leading Middle Eastern Communications Event
Join over 3,000 decision-makers from the leading operator, vendor, application developer and solution provider companies in the Middle Eastern and global communications industry.
A line-up of 90 visionary speakers including 38 operator representatives will deliver unique insights across 2 strategic sessions and 6 separate conference streams dedicated to: WiMAX - In-Building - FMC - Content - Interconnection - Pricing.
Co-located to the conference is a 160+ stand exhibition showcasing the latest applications, devices and network equipment.
"Fantastic and excellent"
EA, Etisalat
"Great value, indispensable for the industry"
EB, Atos Worldline
"The event continues to be the main meeting place for all telecom people"
AA, Palestine Cellular
Presenting across 6 streams and 2 strategic sessions 14 C-Level speakers
including:
- Osman Sultan, CEO, du (UAE)
- Ineke Botter, CEO, Alfa (Lebanon)
- Rula Abu Daher, CTO, MTC (Lebanon)
- Mubashir Naqvi, CEO, Ufone, (Pakistan)
- Roberto Gavazzi, Senior Project Manager, Telecom Italia (Italy)
- Khaled Tabbara, Director Of Carrier Relations, du (UAE)
- Yousef Mugharbil, General Manager Digital Media, Rotana
- Mohammed Jamoussi, Senior Technical Consultant, STC
- Ross Cormack, CEO, Nawras (Oman)
Following extensive consultation with the market each stream will comprise 6 presentations and one panel session and will focus upon:
Stream A - WiMax vs HSxPA
Comparing and Evaluating Mobile Broadband Solutions for the MEG Region
Stream B - Content Business Models
Examining How Local Content and New Partnerships Can Increase ARPU
Stream C - Interconnection
Optimum Strategies for Establishing Effective, Integrated Agreements with New External Partners
Stream D - Marketing & Pricing Strategies Overcoming the Challenges of Maximising ARPU and Maintaining Loytalty
Stream E - Fixed to Mobile Convergence
Leveraging Convergence and Delivering Compelling Services
Stream F - Optimising In-Building Networks To Increase Traffic and Revenue from Real Time Services
For more information on this event and how to take part, please contact: Caroline Wiezien
Tel: +44 20 7017 5605
About GSM >3G World Series
Informa Telecoms & Media's GSM>3G World Series is an annual calendar of 13 events across the world, bringing together strategic decision makers in a productive, business-focused environment.
The GSM>3G World Series events are the regional meeting places for the communications industry around the world. The World Series has 12 years of experience and has contributed to the development of the mobile communications industry around the world.
About Informa Telecoms and Media
Informa Telecoms and Media is the leading provider of business intelligence and strategic marketing solutions to global telecoms and media markets.
Informa's aim is to provide actionable, strategic advice and forecasting on all aspects of converging mobile, fixed, entertainment, and IT markets.
Driven by constant first-hand contact with the industry, Informa's team of analysts and researchers produce over 300 annual events and intelligence services including news and analytical products, in-depth market reports, and data sets.
In addition to the GSM>3G World Series, Informa's events cover subjects as diverse as fixed and mobile operator strategy, technology, TV, mobile music and games. Informa Telecoms & Media is always willing to work with journalists to provide stats, data or comment for articles.
Posted by Medilyn Manibo, Assistant News EditorMonday, July 09 - 2007 at 16:45 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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