Middle East operations for U.S.Robotics tops growth in group for first half of 2003

Yusuf Syed, regional sales manager for U.S.Robotics, said: 'We have exceeded our original business plan expectations and blew away the revised target we set given the environment in the Middle East. Of particular interest is the second quarter of 2003 where we grew by 54%, this being also a 75% growth over the same period last year.' Syed explains that while Internet connectivity products supporting dial-up Internet services are still leading the market, broadband and wireless connectivity products are showing growing demand in the region.

U.S.Robotics product line supporting broadband access however showed a noticeable increase in the first quarter of this year compared to last year. Syed says: 'Sales of U.S.Robotics DSL product lines constituted 15% of the company achievement in the home and SMB segments in the EMEA region. Although this is a very good result for us in this market, we anticipate that further growth of this segment will highly depend on further drops in broadband connectivity prices coupled with content rich applications that drive the demand for high speed Internet access.' Earlier this year, U.S.Robotics introduced to the market its SureConnect ADSL modem, which allows users to connect with a broadband Internet access and get always-on connectivity and unbelievably fast download speeds. The SureConnect 9000 ADSL USB Modem is ideal for download rates of up to 12 Mbps, 145 times faster than 56K analog dial-up modems.

Syed further explains that U.S. Robotics' range of wireless products launched earlier this year constitute approximately 13% of the company's sales for the first half of this year. This, according to Syed, is fuelled by a growing need for flexibility and cost reduction while maintaining the same level of high speed Internet access for small to medium office users in the region. 'In the Middle East only, the growth of our wireless product line more than doubled in the second quarter of this year.' Syed expects U.S.Robotics wireless product line to increase in sales in the region, this being fuelled by a growing number of businesses adopting hotspots and wireless Internet access as a strategy for attracting customers. Earlier this year, U.S.Robotics introduced to the market its 54 Mbps Xlerator technology for its 802.11b range of 22mbps wireless products, allowing networked environments to optimise the use of bandwidth among users. Syed explains that faster speeds, greater compatibility with standards, as well as enhanced security features will underpin the growth in wireless connectivity in this region.

The analogue modems product line continues to show highest performance in the region, constituting over 90% of U.S.Robotics sales to the home users segment. Syed explains:'Our dial-up product line continues to show strong sales growth thanks to the strong brand awareness and loyalty among home and SMB users. Our competitive pricing, supported a strong distribution channel has made U.S. Robotics analogue modems the de-facto brand in this segment of the market.'

Syed ends: 'Despite a slow take up in the first quarter of this year for the industry in general, we have managed to achieve great results for the first half of 2003, thanks to our distribution partners and loyal customers. For the second half of this year, we plan to introduce a range of broadband and wireless Internet connectivity products that take the Internet experience to exciting levels, at costs affordable to all.'

U.S.Robotics launched earlier this month its 802.11g Wireless Turbo range powered by the company's exclusive Accelerator Technology which is set to increase performance levels to up to 100 mpbs. These high performance wireless and broadband-supporting technology products, according to Syed, will be available in the Middle East market in mid August 2003.