Research and Markets publishes report on telecoms, mobile and broadband in the Mediterranean, Levant

Details: Category: Trends & Forecasts; 17 July 2008; 9004 views

Research and Markets has announced the addition of its report "Middle East - Telecoms, Mobile & Broadband in The Mediterranean & Levant Countries" to its stable. The annual report offers information on trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, Internet, broadband...

Subjects include:

market and industry analyses, trends and developments;
facts, figures and statistics;
industry and regulatory issues;
infrastructure;
major players, revenues, subscribers, ARPU;
Internet, VoIP, IPTV;
mobile voice and data markets;
broadband (DSL, cable TV, wireless); and
convergence and digital media.

In the opinion of researchers Tine Lewis, Paul Kwon and Peter Lange, Egypt and Jordan are not rich countries but sensible policies have resulted in relatively open and developed markets. Egypt has emerged as the largest Arab Internet market thanks to the successful implementation of a free Internet strategy. Jordan has mobile penetration of over 80%, probably inflated by non-Jordanian nationals and multi-SIM usage, but still indicative of a highly developed market. Lebanon is a battle-ground between groups that would stifle development in the manner of Syria and those that seek to liberalise the market and bring the benefits of mobile and broadband services to a larger proportion of the population.

While fixed-line, Internet and broadband penetration rates are low in the Arab countries of the region, one must always take into consideration larger household sizes, young populations and a habit of sharing broadband and cable TV subscription among neighbours.

Other key highlights include:

number portability and new licences have shaken up the Israeli fixed-line market, with incumbent Bezeq’s share of the market falling to levels around 85% by mid-2008. The report of an advisory commission has recommended key regulatory changes, including creating a wholesale market in all sectors, unbundling local lines and licensing MVNOs;
the Israeli advisory commission has also advocated giving independent content providers a real chance to operate on broadcasting infrastructure. Israel has widespread DBS and cable multi-channel TV and IPTV is also operational;
Jordan’s thriving mobile market is likely to get even more competitive with the granting of its first MVNO operator licence in mid-2008;
a second Egyptian fixed-line licence is planned for 2008, together with the expansion of broadband services and wireless networks. The licensing and launch of a third network gave Egypt’s mobile market a significant boost to reach 43% penetration by March 2008, up from only 27% in early 2007;
following the resolution of its political stalemate in mid-2008, the Lebanese government will decide whether to privatise and liberalise its fixed line and mobile operators. A string of potential buyers is ready to enliven the market and release its untapped potential. An independent regulator has made an impressive start;
Turkey’s communications market holds much potential given the size of its population, its growing economy and the alignment of its regulatory framework with that of the European Union;
government policies affect the telecoms industry in all countries, including proposed policy changes to further liberalise the Israeli market, the tender process for Egypt’s second fixed-line licence and the proposals for the liberalisation of the Lebanese market.