Over 12 per cent of Internet users in GCC use broadband connectivity

Broadband Internet connection is an "always on" connection that offers speeds of over 64 Kilo Bytes per second (kbps) compared to narrow band's 56 Kbps. The high speed connections that include ISDN Local Area Network (LAN), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) and connectivity via satellite are poised to register further growth in the Middle East, driven by recreational and professional applications such as video streaming, network gaming and IP telephony.

"As compared to dial-up connections, broadband internet access provides high-speed connectivity through the medium of DSL, connectivity via satellite or the ISDN LAN," said Ahmed Ali Ashadawi, President and CEO of Al Falak, the leading regional IT and communications solution provider with over 22 years of experience in the industry. "This system of internet connectivity has already proven its benefits in North America and Western Europe, where trends such as streamlined and decentralized corporations, increasing number of workers in unconventional locations and a very large percentage of the population accessing the Web on a recreational basis or as part of their professional activities, boosted the demand for high-speed access."

Broadband connectivity is growing at a fast pace amongst the institutional users in the Middle East, with users such as the Technology, eCommerce and Media (TECOM) Free Zone in the UAE demonstrating the commercial benefits of high speed connections.

With the government in Saudi Arabia investing heavily in boosting IT penetration in the country through increased emphasis on eGovernance and with a growing number of businesses opting for high-tech operations, Internet penetration is growing at a rapid pace. Large corporations, institutional users, as well as eLearning and eCommerce sectors in the country and in the region are expected to increase the numbers of users connected to the Web at high speeds. While this will contribute to the overall growth of the market, the increase in broadband connected users will also result in the decrease in the cost of connectivity, further bringing broadband connectivity within the reach of small and medium sized businesses (SMBs), as well as home users accessing the Web for researching information, eLearning or even recreational purposes.

"Broadband Internet access can optimize the potential of sectors such as eLearning, eCommerce, IP Telephony, teleconferencing for commercial purposes, as well as for high speed information access crucial to businesses around the world. The below average broadband penetration in countries such as Saudi Arabia has been attributed to relatively higher costs of broadband connections and a lack of information on the usability of high-speed connectivity in both business and home use scenarios. However, as the commercial benefits of high speed connectivity becomes more and more visible, broadband will be the engine that powers market growth," added Ashadawi.

"Al Falak's experience in designing, installing, and maintaining all types of communication network systems for large corporations, as well as for SMBs, puts the company in an ideal position to help accelerate the penetration of broadband in the regional markets. Our staff is fully conversant with the different transmission technologies deployed and serving WAN infrastructures. This experience will enable us to understand the needs of businesses switching to high-speed connectivity and deliver the most efficient communications systems possible," said Ashadawi.