Motorola optimistic about growth of wireless broadband in the Middle East

While analysts predict that cellular technology such as GSM and HSxPA will continue to grow across the region, Motorola believes that new wireless broadband technologies such as WiMAX will also play a key and often complementary role in addressing the Middle East's growing appetite for data connectivity.

"The need for voice-related telecoms services remains very robust and relevant right across the Middle East markets. Some countries are approaching saturation points for voice penetration and mobile subscription but operators are now faced with a tremendous demand for high-speed data services that they must satisfy,"

said Noel Kirkaldy, wireless broadband director, Middle East and Africa, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility.

Kirkaldy's presentation on day one of the GSM 3G MEG congress and exhibition, taking place in Dubai on 2-3 September 2007, focuses on the market potential and how to overcome barriers in deploying wireless broadband in the Middle East.

"Regional telecoms operators understand that there are benefits to deploying GSM networks as well as investing in new opportunities that are offered by wireless broadband technologies such as 802.16e WiMAX which is now available in the region. In fact, in the last two years, Motorola has announced several regional customer deployments with operators for 2G, 3G and WiMAX networks. Motorola has always worked closely with operators to identify the solutions that best meet their specific requirements and the needs of their growing subscriber bases," Kirkaldy added.