Connecting intelligence with intelligence

Sign in to your Zawya account

Forgot username or password?
×
 
Telecom 2008
 
 
 
Last Update: Oct 2008
 
  • Mobile licenses worth $12.88 billion were granted in the GCC in 2007
  • High ARPU, real estate developments and demand for advanced services in GCC attract telecom players
  • Fixed and mobile operators are focusing on the growing broadband market
  • Big five operators reach 46 countries in Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and Asia Pacific targeting highly-populated, under-penetrated markets
  • MVNOs and mobile resellers are introduced to the mobile market and enhance the already service-oriented competition
  • Converged and data services are key growth drivers for mobile operators

Three flows of development stood out in telecommunications markets in the GCC during the last 18 months. New licenses generated substantial bids totaling $12.88 billion, mobile penetration rates in GCC markets increased further to an average of 117%, and mobile regional operators achieved unprecedented international expansion.

Besides the multibillion dollars earned in licenses fees, governments still have high stakes in telecom operators with expanding global footprint. Based on their global footprint and subscriber base, the Big Five operators of regional roots and international reach are STC, Qtel, Orascom, Zain and Etisalat. They are in continuous expansion to emerging Africa, highly populated South East Asia and Asia Pacific.

In the GCC, the intense service oriented competition is also introducing new telecom service players like Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and mobile services resellers. Both fixed and mobile operators are seeking growth in the broadband market. This technology facilitates converged and mobile data services that operators are depending on to create new revenue streams.

 
» More
 
Company Rankings in 2007
 
Ranked by
Loading ...
  Company Country Total Group Subscribers
1. Orascom Telecom Holding Egypt 70,088,545
2. Emirates Telecommunications Corporation UAE 63,000,000
3. Mobile Telephone Networks Region-wide 61,353,000
4. Mobile Telecommunications Company Kuwait 42,389,000
5. Qatar Telecom Qatar 16,400,000
» View Full List
 
Significant Developments
 
Date Country Type News & Comments
Nov08 Oman New Entrants TRA Oman gives the Class One Full Fixed Public Telecommunications Services License to a Nawras led consortium after the original winner, PCCW-Awaser Oman Consortium that won in October, could not fulfill certain obligations set by the TRA. Nawras also operates the second mobile license since 2005.
Nov08 Iraq Mergers & Acquisitions Zain Group increases its stake in Zain Iraq to 62% through buying 32% from Athir National, one of the founders of Atheer telecom (later Zain Iraq), for $34.477 million.
Oct08 Saudi Arabia Other Event Saudi telecom sets up a mobile content services company with a capital of 280 million Saudi riyals with Malaysia's Astro All Asia Networks and Saudi Research and Marketing Group . Saudi Telecom will own 51% of the joint venture.
Sep08 UAE Mergers & Acquisitions Etisalat acquires 45% of Swan Telecom, the newly licensed telecom operator in India, for $900 million. The company can provide national and international long distance services as well as mobile, fixed and internet services in 13 telecom service areas in India.
Sep08 Qatar New Entrants ictQatar awards the second fixed telecommunications license to a Vodafone and Qatar Foundation consortium.
 
» View All Developments
 
Printer-friendly format

 
Tell us of other significant developments in this industry
 
 
Title
News or Comments (max 4000 characters)
Significant Development entries will be reviewed and verified by Zawya before posting according to the terms of Zawya Policy. Contributors have to provide contact information for verification purposes.

As contributor, your name will be displayed with the entry unless you request anonymity. Add my contribution anonymously

Your personal information will remain strictly confidential and will not be marketed, sold, or made publicly available.
Thank you for your comment.
 
 
close x
Zawya Comment Policy:
 
Zawya encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that Zawya makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and we may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material.
 
All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commentators. By submitting your comment, you hereby give Zawya the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comments worldwide, in perpetuity.
 
Tell us what you think of our
Industry Insight page
Thank you for your feedback.
 
 
 
 
Panel