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This report comprises statistical tables only, covering fixed line, Mobile, Internet, Broadband and Convergence. 138 tables are provided on a country by country basis, with a brief introduction. Some of the data is not current, but was the latest available at the time of publication.Countries covered are: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.Key country indicators; Subscriber numbers (Mobile, Internet, Broadband - users/subscribers and hosts); Annual change and penetration percentages; Number of fixed lines in service and teledensity; Major operator statistics; Growth indications; Historical data.The market in the Middle East is changing, with rapidly increasing competition in the mobile sector and the gradual reduction of state involvement. As a result of significant investments in the expansion and improvement of local infrastructures, demand for telecom services is growing and more technologically diverse services are becoming available. Mobiles are taking market share from declining fixed-line markets in the more developed countries. Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar are all testing 3G services following its successful introduction in Bahrain and Israel. By 2006 the rate of broadband growth in the Middle Eastern countries was generally on a par with average growth rate of most developed regions. Convergence issues have yet to have much impact in the region. Growth is set to continue as the markets become more liberalised with open competition. |