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Middle East - Mobile Infrastructure and Mobile Broadband

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    Report

  • 366 Pages
  • August 2022
  • Region: Middle East
  • Paul Budde Communication Pty Ltd
  • ID: 4769765

5G Mobile Infrastructure is a Key Focus in Parts of the Middle East

The Middle East - Mobile Infrastructure and Mobile Broadband report includes all relevant research data and analysis. Covering trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, internet, broadband, infrastructure and regulation.

Middle East states' expansion of 5G showing variable results

Mobile infrastructure in the Middle East has by far the highest population coverage compared to fixed broadband and the region is highly dependent on mobile services. In times of crisis, the ability to remain connected becomes even more essential to society and the economy in general.

This reliance on telecommunications infrastructure and services has been highlighted throughout the world during the COVID-19 outbreak, including in the Middle East where many countries have required citizens to shelter-at-home. This has placed increased demand on telecoms infrastructure with people working and studying remotely. The operators have experienced a surge in demand for bandwidth and this, in turn, has led to a renewed push to either upgrade 4G networks or fast-track 5G developments.

In order to roll-out new networks efficiently and in a cost effective manner, BuddeComm observes that many operators in the Middle East are beginning to utilise the benefits of infrastructure sharing. Mobile tower sharing, for example, has become a viable strategy in countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman.

This BuddeComm report provides valuable information, analyses, statistics and insights into the mobile infrastructure in markets of the Middle East, including the countries of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Recent developments:

  • Investing in 4G LTE networks is a key area of focus in the Middle East.
  • Many existing 4G networks are being upgraded in both preparation for 5G and to also meet the demands created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • By 2025 the market share of connections to smart phones will reach almost 75% across the larger MENA region, according to the GSMA.

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Mobile Telecommunications Co (MTC) / Zain, Ooredoo Kuwait (previously National Mobile Telecommunication Co (NMT) / Wataniya Telecom), Kuwait Telecom Company (KTC) / Viva, Batelco, Zain Bahrain, Viva Bahrain, Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), Mobile Communications Iran (MCI), MTN Irancell, Tamin Telecom (Rightel), Mobile Telecommunications Company of Isfahan (MTCE), Telecommunication Kish Company (TKC), Iraqi Telephone and Postal Company (ITPC), Asiacell, Zain Iraq, Korek Telecom, Regional Telecom, Cellcom, Orange (Partner), Pelephone (Bezeq), HOT Mobile, Golan Telecom, Rami Levy, Jordan Telecom Group/Orange, Zain Jordan, Batelco/Umniah, Saudi Telecom Company (STC)/Bravo, Integrated Telecom Company (ITC)/Bayn Consortium, GO Telecom/Etihad Atheeb, Mobily/Ettihad Etisalat/Bayanat Al-Oula, Zain KSA, Lebara KSA/Etihad Jawraa, Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa (Virgin Mobile MEA), Axiom Telecom, VIVA, Etisalat, du, Jordan Telecom Group/Orange, Zain Jordan, Batelco/Umniah, MTC Touch, Alfa Telecom, Ooredoo Qatar, Vodafone Qatar, OmanTel, Ooredoo Oman, FRiENDi, Majan Telecom (Renna), Samatel, Syrian Telecommunication Establishment (STE), MTN Syria, Syriatel, Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, Avea.

Table of Contents

  1. Regional market comparison
    1. Introduction
    2. Infrastructure sharing
    3. Mobile broadband infrastructure coverage
    4. Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
    5. Mobile subscriber statistics
  2. Countries leading 5G developments
    1. United Arab Emirates
    2. Qatar
    3. Saudi Arabia
  3. Bahrain
    1. Market Analysis
    2. Regulatory environment
    3. Mobile Market analysis
    4. Mobile statistics
    5. Mobile infrastructure
  4. Iran
    1. Market analysis
    2. Background to alleged sanction violations
    3. Regulatory environment
    4. Mobile Market analysis
    5. Mobile statistics
    6. Mobile infrastructure
    7. Mobile broadband
    8. Mobile content and applications
  5. Iraq
    1. Market overview
    2. Regulatory environment
    3. Mobile Market analysis
    4. Mobile infrastructure
  6. Israel
    1. Market analysis
    2. Regulatory authority
    3. Mobile network developments
    4. Mobile Market analysis
    5. Mobile statistics
    6. Mobile infrastructure
  7. Jordan
    1. Market overview
    2. Market analysis
    3. Regulatory environment
    4. Mobile market developments
    5. Mobile statistics
    6. Mobile infrastructure
  8. Kuwait
    1. Market analysis
    2. Competitive environment
    3. Regulatory environment
    4. Mobile network developments
    5. Mobile Market analysis
    6. Mobile statistics
    7. Mobile infrastructure
    8. Mobile content and applications
  9. Lebanon
    1. Historical overview
    2. Market overview
    3. Regulatory environment
    4. Mobile Market overview
    5. Mobile statistics
    6. Mobile infrastructure
  10. Oman
    1. Market overview
    2. Oman Vision 2040
    3. Regulatory environment
    4. Mobile market analysis
    5. Mobile statistics
    6. Mobile infrastructure
  11. Qatar
    1. Market analysis
    2. Regulatory environment
    3. Mobile network developments
    4. Mobile Market analysis
    5. Mobile statistics
    6. Mobile infrastructure
    7. Mobile content and applications
  12. Saudi Arabia
    1. Historic overview
    2. Regulatory authority
    3. Telecom sector liberalisation
    4. Mobile network developments
    5. Mobile market analysis
    6. Mobile statistics
    7. Mobile infrastructure
    8. Mobile content and applications
  13. Syria
    1. Historical overview
    2. Market analysis
    3. Market challenges
    4. Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC)
    5. Regulatory environment
    6. Mobile Market analysis
    7. Mobile statistics
    8. Mobile infrastructure
  14. Turkey
    1. Market analysis
    2. Regulatory environment
    3. Mobile market analysis
    4. Mobile statistics
    5. Mobile infrastructure
    6. Mobile content and applications
  15. United Arab Emirates
    1. Historical overview
    2. Market analysis
    3. Abraham Accords Peace Agreement
    4. Regulatory environment
    5. Mobile Market analysis
    6. Mobile statistics
    7. Mobile infrastructure
    8. Mobile broadband
    9. Mobile content and applications
  16. Yemen
    1. Market overview
    2. Key industry considerations
    3. Regulatory environment
    4. MObile Market overview
    5. Mobile statistics
    6. Mobile infrastructure

List of Tables

  • Table 1 Middle East 3G and 4G - mobile infrastructure and population coverage 2014 - 2018
  • Table 2 Middle East - mobile subscriptions and annual growth 2014 - 2020
  • Table 3 Middle East - mobile subscriptions by country 2014 - 2020
  • Table 4 Bahrain - telecom sector revenue 2012 2020
  • Table 5 Bahrain - telecom sector proportion of total revenue 2013 2020
  • Table 6 Bahrain - mobile sector ARPU 2013 2020
  • Table 7 Bahrain Change in the number of mobile numbers ported 2012 2021
  • Table 8 Bahrain Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration - 2012 2027
  • Table 9 Bahrain Change in the number of prepaid mobile subscribers - 2012 2021
  • Table 10 Bahrain Development of retail mobile market revenue 2012 2020
  • Table 11 Bahrain Change in mobile ARPS (BHD) 2012 2020
  • Table 12 Bahrain Mobile market share by operators 2018 2021
  • Table 13 Bahrain Mobile voice traffic 2014 2021
  • Table 14 Bahrain Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 15 Bahrain Mobile broadband market share by operators 2019 2021
  • Table 16 Bahrain Mobile broadband traffic 2015 2021
  • Table 17 Bahrain Growth in the number of M2M connections - 2019 2021
  • Table 18 Iran Change in the number of mobile number portings 2016 2019
  • Table 19 Iran Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 20 Iran Growth in the number of M2M SIM cards 2014 2019
  • Table 21 Iran Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2013 2027
  • Table 22 Iraq Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 23 Iraq Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2014 2027
  • Table 24 Israel Major mobile operators' monthly mobile ARPU (ILS / month) 2013 2021
  • Table 25 Israel Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 26 Israel Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscriber and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 27 Israel Market share of mobile subscribers by technology 2019 2025
  • Table 28 Jordan Change in the number of telecom financial data (JOD million) 2012 2020
  • Table 29 Jordan Development of telecom revenue by sector (JOD million) 2012 2020
  • Table 30 Jordan Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 31 Jordan Change in the number of mobile subscribers by type (million) 2012 2021
  • Table 32 Jordan Change in the proportion of mobile subscribers by type 2012 2021
  • Table 33 Jordan Mobile voice and SMS traffic 2020 2021
  • Table 34 Jordan Average monthly mobile voice and SMS traffic per subscriber 2020 2021
  • Table 35 Jordan Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscriptions 2012 2027
  • Table 36 Kuwait Development of telecom sector revenue (KWD million) 2017 2019
  • Table 37 Kuwait Development of telecom sector investment 2017 2019
  • Table 38 Kuwait Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 39 Kuwait Change in the number of prepaid and postpaid mobile subscribers (million) 2015 2019
  • Table 40 Kuwait Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
  • Table 41 Kuwait Development of mobile voice and SMS traffic 2015 2019
  • Table 42 Kuwait Change in the population coverage of mobile technologies 2016 2020
  • Table 43 Kuwait Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2013 2027
  • Table 44 Lebanon Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 45 Lebanon Change in mobile operator market share 2012 2020
  • Table 46 Lebanon Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers 2012 2027
  • Table 47 Oman Change in the number of mobile number portings 2012 2019
  • Table 48 Oman Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 49 Oman Development of mobile ARPU 2012 2021
  • Table 50 Oman Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
  • Table 51 Oman Development of domestic mobile voice traffic 2012 2021
  • Table 52 Oman Development of mobile and wholesale mobile revenue 2012 2021
  • Table 53 Oman Change in the number of prepaid and post-paid subscribers (million) 2012 2021
  • Table 54 Oman Change in the number of SMS messages 2012 2020
  • Table 55 Oman Change in the number of MMS messages 2012 2020
  • Table 56 Oman Change in mobile ARPU 2018 2021
  • Table 57 Oman Development of domestic mobile data traffic 2012 2021
  • Table 58 Oman Change in average mobile data use per subscriber 2018 2021
  • Table 59 Oman Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 60 Oman Change in the number of mobile towers by platform 2015 2021
  • Table 61 Oman Growth in the number of M2M mobile connections 2013 2021
  • Table 62 Qatar Development of telecom revenue 2012 2021
  • Table 4 Qatar Development of telecom revenue by operator (QAR million) 2016 2021
  • Table 63 Qatar Development of telecom investment (QAR billion) 2015 2020
  • Table 64 Qatar Change in the number of mobile numbers ported 2013 2019
  • Table 65 Qatar Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 66 Qatar Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
  • Table 67 Qatar Change in the proportion of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers 2013 2021
  • Table 68 Qatar Growth in number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 69 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of mobile numbers ported 2012 2019
  • Table 70 Saudi Arabia Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 71 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of prepaid and contract subscribers (million) 2012 2019
  • Table 72 Saudi Arabia Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2018
  • Table 73 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of prepaid mobile subscribers 2012 2019
  • Table 74 Saudi Arabia Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 75 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of mobile broadband subscriptions by type (million) 2015 2019
  • Table 76 Syria Growth in telecom revenue (SYP billion) 2012 2019
  • Table 77 Syria Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 78 Syria Change in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 79 Turkey Development of telecom revenue and investment (TRY million) 2012 2021
  • Table 80 Turkey Change in fixed and mobile voice traffic (billion minutes) 2012 2021
  • Table 81 Turkey Change in the number of mobile number portings 2012 2021
  • Table 82 Turkey Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration rate 2012 2027
  • Table 83 Turkey Change in number of prepaid and postpaid subscribers (million) 2012 2021
  • Table 84 Turkey Change in the ratio of prepaid to contract subscribers 2012 2021
  • Table 85 Turkey Change in number of mobile subscribers by platform (million) 2012 2021
  • Table 86 Turkey Growth in the number of M2M connections 2012 2021
  • Table 87 Turkey Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 88 Turkey Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscriptions by type (million) 2012 2021
  • Table 89 Change in UAE's telecom revenue by service (AED billion) 2012 2019
  • Table 90 UAE Growth in the number of mobile number portings 2014 2019
  • Table 91 UAE Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 92 UAE Change in the number and proportion of prepaid mobile subscribers 2012 2021
  • Table 93 UAE Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 94 Yemen Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Table 95 Yemen Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027

List of Charts

  • Chart 1 Middle East mobile subscriber and mobile broadband penetration - 2018
  • Chart 2 Bahrain - telecom sector revenue 2012 2020
  • Chart 3 Bahrain Change in the number of mobile numbers ported 2012 2021
  • Chart 4 Bahrain Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration - 2012 2027
  • Chart 5 Bahrain Change in the number of prepaid mobile subscribers - 2012 2021
  • Chart 6 Bahrain Development of retail mobile market revenue 2012 2020
  • Chart 7 Bahrain Change in mobile ARPS 2012 2020
  • Chart 8 Bahrain Mobile market share by operators 2018 2021
  • Chart 9 Bahrain Mobile voice traffic 2014 2021
  • Chart 10 Bahrain Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 11 Bahrain Mobile broadband market share by operators 2019 2021
  • Chart 12 Bahrain Mobile broadband traffic 2015 2021
  • Chart 13 Bahrain Growth in the number of M2M connections - 2019 2021
  • Chart 14 Iran Change in the number of mobile number portings 2016 2019
  • Chart 15 Iran Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 16 Iran Growth in the number of M2M SIM cards 2014 2019
  • Chart 17 Iran - mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration 2013 2027
  • Chart 18 Iraq Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 19 Iraq Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2014 2027
  • Chart 20 Israel Major mobile operators' monthly mobile ARPU (ILS / month) 2013 2021
  • Chart 21 Israel Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 22 Israel Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscriber and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 23 Jordan Change in the number of telecom financial data 2012 2020
  • Chart 24 Jordan Development of telecom revenue by sector 2012 2020
  • Chart 25 Jordan Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 26 Jordan Change in the number of mobile subscribers by type 2012 2021
  • Chart 27 Jordan Change in the proportion of mobile subscribers by type 2012 2021
  • Chart 28 Jordan Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscriptions 2012 2027
  • Chart 29 Kuwait Development of telecom sector revenue 2017 2019
  • Chart 30 Kuwait Development of telecom sector Investment 2017 2019
  • Chart 31 Kuwait Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 32 Kuwait Change in the number of prepaid and postpaid mobile subscribers 2015 2019
  • Chart 33 Kuwait Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
  • Chart 34 Kuwait Development of mobile voice and SMS traffic 2015 2019
  • Chart 35 Kuwait Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2013 2027
  • Chart 36 Lebanon Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 37 Lebanon Change in mobile operator market share 2012 2020
  • Chart 38 Lebanon Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers 2012 2027
  • Chart 39 Oman Change in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 40 Oman Development of mobile ARPU 2012 2021
  • Chart 41 Oman Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
  • Chart 42 Oman Development of domestic mobile voice traffic 2012 2021
  • Chart 43 Oman Development of mobile and wholesale mobile revenue 2012 2021
  • Chart 44 - Oman Change in the number of prepaid and post-paid subscribers 2012 2021
  • Chart 45 Oman Development of domestic mobile data traffic 2012 2021
  • Chart 46 Oman Change in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 47 Oman Change in the number of mobile towers by platform 2015 2021
  • Chart 48 Qatar Development of telecom revenue 2012 2021
  • Chart 49 Qatar Development of telecom revenue by operator 2016 2021
  • Chart 50 Qatar Development of telecom investment 2015 2020
  • Chart 51 Qatar Change in the number of mobile numbers ported 2013 2019
  • Chart 52 Qatar Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 53 Qatar Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
  • Chart 54 Qatar Change in the proportion of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers 2013 2021
  • Chart 55 Qatar Growth in number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 56 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of mobile numbers ported 2012 2019
  • Chart 57 Saudi Arabia Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 58 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of prepaid and contract subscribers 2012 2019
  • Chart 59 Saudi Arabia Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2018
  • Chart 60 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of prepaid mobile subscribers 2012 2019
  • Chart 61 Saudi Arabia Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 62 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of mobile broadband subscriptions by type 2015 2019
  • Chart 63 Syria Growth in telecom revenue 2012 2019
  • Chart 64 Syria Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 65 Syria Change in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 66 Turkey Development of telecom revenue and investment 2012 2021
  • Chart 67 Turkey Change in fixed and mobile voice traffic 2012 2021
  • Chart 68 Turkey Change in the number of mobile number portings 2012 2021
  • Chart 69 Turkey Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration rate 2012 2027
  • Chart 70 Turkey Change in number of prepaid and postpaid subscribers 2012 2021
  • Chart 71 Turkey Change in the ratio of prepaid to contract subscribers 2012 2021
  • Chart 72 Turkey Change in number of mobile subscribers by platform 2012 2021
  • Chart 73 Turkey Growth in the number of M2M connections 2012 2021
  • Chart 74 Turkey Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscriptions and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 75 Turkey Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscriptions by type 2012 2021
  • Chart 76 Change in UAE's telecom revenue by service 2012 2019
  • Chart 77 UAE Growth in the number of mobile number portings 2014 2019
  • Chart 78 UAE Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 79 UAE Change in the number and proportion of prepaid mobile subscribers 2012 2021
  • Chart 80 UAE Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 81 Yemen Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2012 2027
  • Chart 82 Yemen Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2012 2027

List of Exhibits

  • Exhibit 1 Bahrain's licensed telcos and services
  • Exhibit 2 Iran Privatisation of TCI
  • Exhibit 3 Israel 5G spectrum auction results August 2020
  • Exhibit 4 Kuwait Spectrum concessions by licensee 2021
  • Exhibit 5 Telecom Services Providers in Oman Dec 2020

Companies Mentioned

  • Mobile Telecommunications Co (MTC)/Zain
  • Ooredoo Kuwait (previously National Mobile Telecommunication Co (NMT)/Wataniya Telecom)
  • Kuwait Telecom Company (KTC)/Viva
  • Batelco
  • Zain Bahrain
  • Viva Bahrain
  • Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI)
  • Mobile Communications Iran (MCI)
  • MTN Irancell
  • Tamin Telecom (Rightel)
  • Mobile Telecommunications Company of Isfahan (MTCE)
  • Telecommunication Kish Company (TKC)
  • Iraqi Telephone and Postal Company (ITPC)
  • Asiacell
  • Zain Iraq
  • Korek Telecom
  • Regional Telecom
  • Cellcom
  • Orange (Partner)
  • Pelephone (Bezeq)
  • HOT Mobile
  • Golan Telecom
  • Rami Levy
  • Jordan Telecom Group/Orange
  • Zain Jordan
  • Batelco/Umniah
  • Saudi Telecom Company (STC)/Bravo
  • Integrated Telecom Company (ITC)/Bayn Consortium
  • GO Telecom/Etihad Atheeb
  • Mobily/Ettihad Etisalat/Bayanat Al-Oula
  • Zain KSA
  • Lebara KSA/Etihad Jawraa
  • Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa (Virgin Mobile MEA)
  • Axiom Telecom
  • VIVA
  • Etisalat
  • du
  • Jordan Telecom Group/Orange
  • Zain Jordan
  • Batelco/Umniah
  • MTC Touch
  • Alfa Telecom
  • Ooredoo Qatar
  • Vodafone Qatar
  • OmanTel
  • Ooredoo Oman
  • FRiENDi
  • Majan Telecom (Renna)
  • Samatel
  • Syrian Telecommunication Establishment (STE)
  • MTN Syria
  • Syriatel
  • Turkcell
  • Vodafone Turkey
  • Avea.