AMMAN -- Subscribers to Zain Jordan's Third Generation (3G) services reached 700,000 by the end of 2011, the company's Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Al Hanandeh told The Jordan Times Thursday.
He predicted the number to double in 2012 expecting the number of 3G users to rise sharply in the Kingdom after the government decided to exempt smartphones, which enable 3G services, from taxes.
In August 2011, the government decided to remove the sales tax imposed on smartphones, a decision which, according to mobile shopowners and experts, will help reduce prices of smartphones by an average of JD88 to JD100, making them more affordable.
By the end of July 2011, smartphones constituted 41.6 per cent of the total number of cellular handsets, according to figures by the Arab Advisers Group.
Noting that Zain Jordan launched the 3G services in March 2011, Hanandeh said the service helped to increase the company's Internet market share from 8 per cent at the beginning of 2011 to 37 per cent currently.
Zain's chief executive officer added that the use of data and mobile content in 2011 increased by 60 per cent compared to 2010, expecting an upward trend in the future.
3G services enable making visual phone calls, sending and receiving multimedia messages, providing fast and efficient wireless Internet connections, in addition to providing better audio coverage.
He highlighted Zain's commitment to Jordan pointing out that "a total of JD721 million was invested in the Kingdom since 1995 until the end of 2011 and that JD1.250 billion was paid to the treasury in taxes and revenues during the period".
Envisaging a growing demand on mobile applications this year, mobile operators expect the number of 3G users to increase rapidly in 2012 in light of a growing number of Jordanians using this service.
© Jordan Times 2012
