Report Summary
This Middle East market report covers the broadband and Internet markets, as well as convergence, pay TV, and digital media, for the following countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE and Yemen. The region's markets include:
Israel: Israel has one of the highest household broadband penetration rates in the world. Market competition is fierce, both between cable and DSL infrastructures and between ISPs. Competition is also fierce between Bezeq's satellite TV subsidiary YES and HOT, the merged entity of the three cable TV operators. Israel's very high broadband penetration rate provides great potential for triple play and digital media market developments. Both Bezeq, together with YES, and HOT have the potential to easily deliver triple play services, as each possesses both content and delivery mechanisms. Only HOT is permitted to do so at present. For the country overview, see Section 6, page 38.
Lebanon: Lebanon, a country with a large potential market, only gained access to DSL in May 2007, the last country in the Middle East to do so, after a very long wait. Internet subscriber numbers are vague, partly due to a large black market, but they are comparatively high and there is considerable pent up demand for faster services. Black market cable modem connections via illegal satellite providers were said to constitute around 30% of the market in early 2007. Around 80% of Lebanese households subscribe to illegal pirate cable TV networks. For the country overview, see Section 9, page 56.
Qatar: Broadband subscribers in Qatar increased nearly 100% during 2006. Qatar is unusual among the GCC countries in not prohibiting VoIP services and incumbent Qtel has no plans to block services. Small outlets offering VoIP services operate all over Doha. Qatar is home to the Arab news channel Al Jazeera, which claims high viewer ratings in the Middle East with an estimated 30,50 million viewers by 2007. For the country overview, see Section 11, page 66.
Turkey: Broadband usage in Turkey surged during 2005 and 2006, with most of the growth attributed to ADSL. Further strong broadband growth is predicted for 2007 and beyond as Telekom, the fixed-line incumbent, focuses on broadband to generate new revenue streams to offset expected losses in the liberalized fixed-line voice market. For the country overview, see Section 14, page 79.
UAE: UAE governments at both federal and emirate level have been very interventionist, particularly Dubai, with programs to encourage computer and Internet use. This has led to comparatively high Internet and broadband penetration levels. Government policy has also included encouragement for media, IT and Internet related businesses and Dubai has become a regional centre for the industry. Dubai is also a hub for the burgeoning satellite delivered Middle East TV industry. For the country overview, see Section 15, page 88.
For those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the Internet and broadband markets in the Middle East, this report is essential reading and gives further information on:
- The rapidly developing broadband markets in wealthier countries in the region
- The dynamic Arab satellite TV market
- VoIP developments and problems
- Digital media developments and challenges
Report Outline
Section 1 Overview Middle Eastern Convergence, Broadband & Internet Market
1.1 Broadband and Internet overview
1.1.1 Overview
1.1.2 Israel's mature market
1.1.3 Fast growth in parts of the Arab Middle East
1.1.4 Internet statistics
1.1.5 Censorship and site blocking
1.1.6 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
1.2 Broadcasting overview
1.2.1 Overview
1.2.2 Cable modems
1.2.3 Terrestrial TV
1.2.4 Satellite TV
1.2.5 Pay TV
1.2.6 TV content
1.3 Convergence
1.3.1 Triple play
1.3.2 VoIP
1.4 Digital media
1.4.1 Overview
1.4.2 Outside interest
1.4.3 Emerging digital media
Section 2 Bahrain
2.1 Broadband and Internet market
2.1.1 Overview
2.1.2 Broadband overview
2.1.3 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
2.1.4 Wireless broadband
2.1.5 Internet economy
2.2 Convergence
2.2.1 Overview of media convergence
2.2.2 VoIP
2.2.3 Triple play
2.2.4 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 3 Egypt
3.1 Broadband and Internet market
3.1.1 Overview
3.1.2 Internet gateways
3.1.3 Cairo Regional Internet Exchange (CRIX)
3.1.4 Internet access locations
3.1.5 Egypt's ISP Market
3.1.6 Broadband overview
3.2 Convergence
3.2.1 VoIP telephony
3.2.2 Next Generation Networks (NGNs)
3.2.3 IPTV
3.2.4 E-commerce
3.2.5 Smart Village
3.2.6 Technology incubators
3.2.7 Information Highway Project
3.2.8 Government
3.2.9 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 4 Iran
4.1 Broadband and Internet market
4.1.1 Overview
4.1.2 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
4.1.3 Wireless Broadband
4.2 Convergence
4.2.1 Overview of media convergence
4.2.2 VoIP
4.2.3 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 5 Iraq
5.1 Broadband and Internet market
5.1.1 Overview
5.1.2 Wireless broadband
5.2 Convergence
5.2.1 Overview of media convergence
5.2.2 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 6 Israel
6.1 Broadband and Internet market
6.1.1 Overview
6.1.2 Israel's ISP market
6.1.3 Cable modems
6.1.4 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
6.1.5 WiFi
6.1.6 WiMAX
6.1.7 Internet content
6.2 Convergence
6.2.1 Overview of media convergence
6.2.2 Triple play models
6.2.3 VoIP
6.2.4 Digital media
Section 7 Jordan
7.1 Broadband and Internet market
7.1.1 Overview
7.1.2 ISP market
7.1.3 Broadband overview
7.2 Convergence
7.2.1 Overview of media convergence
7.2.2 VoIP
7.2.3 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 8 Kuwait
8.1 Broadband and Internet market
8.1.1 Overview
8.1.2 ISP market
8.1.3 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
8.1.4 Wireless broadband
8.2 Convergence
8.2.1 Overview of media convergence
8.2.2 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
8.2.3 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 9 Lebanon
9.1 Broadband and Internet market
9.1.1 Overview
9.1.2 Data service providers
9.1.3 ISP market
9.1.4 Broadband overview
9.1.5 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
9.1.6 Cable modems
9.1.7 Wireless broadband
9.2 Convergence
9.2.1 Overview of media convergence
9.2.2 Triple play
9.2.3 VoIP
9.2.4 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 10 Oman
10.1 Broadband and Internet market
10.1.1 Overview
10.1.2 Leased lines
10.1.3 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
10.1.4 Wireless broadband
10.2 Convergence
10.2.1 Overview
10.2.2 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 11 Qatar
11.1 Broadband and Internet market
11.1.1 Overview
11.1.2 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
11.1.3 Wireless Broadband
11.2 Convergence
11.2.1 Overview of media convergence
11.2.2 Triple play
11.2.3 IPTV
11.2.4 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
11.2.5 Overview of broadcasting market
11.2.6 Al Jazeera
Section 12 Saudi Arabia
12.1 Broadband and Internet market
12.1.1 Overview
12.1.2 ISP market
12.1.3 Broadband market overview
12.1.4 DSL
12.1.5 Broadband power line (BPL)
12.1.6 Leased lines
12.1.7 Wireless broadband
12.2 Convergence
12.2.1 Overview of media convergence
12.2.2 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 13 Syria
13.1 Broadband and Internet market
13.1.1 Overview
13.1.2 ISP market
13.1.3 Broadband overview
13.2 Convergence
13.2.1 Overview of media convergence
13.2.2 Overview of broadcasting market
Section 14 Turkey
14.1 Broadband and Internet market
14.1.1 Overview
14.1.2 Turkey's ISP market
14.1.3 Broadband overview
14.2 Convergence
14.2.1 Triple play models
14.2.2 Overview of broadcasting market
14.2.3 Broadcasting regulation
14.2.4 Digital TV
Section 15 United Arab Emirates
15.1 Broadband and Internet market
15.1.1 Overview
15.1.2 Internet access locations
15.1.3 ISP market
15.1.4 Broadband market overview
15.1.5 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
15.1.6 Cable modems
15.1.7 Wireless broadband
15.1.8 Internet economy
15.2 Convergence
15.2.1 Overview of media convergence
15.2.2 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
15.2.3 Overview of broadcasting market
15.2.4 Digital TV
Section 16 Yemen
16.1 Broadband and Internet market
16.1.1 Overview of the Internet in Yemen
16.1.2 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
Section 17 Glossary of Abbreviations
Tables
Table 1 Broadband household penetration in Israel, 2001-2006
Table 2 Broadband networks - subscribers, annual change & market share, 2005-2006
Table 3 Broadband household penetration in Arabian Gulf countries, 2006
Table 4 Internet users, penetration & growth in the Middle East, 2006
Table 5 Broadcasting market statistical overview - Israel, 2006
Table 6 Cable modem subscribers in Israel, 2003-2006
Table 7 Internet user & penetration estimates in Bahrain, 1995-2006
Table 8 Internet subscribers in Bahrain, 1999-2006
Table 9 Broadband statistics Bahrain, April 2007
Table 10 Batelco broadband subscribers, 2005-2007
Table 11 Internet provider statistics Egypt, 2007
Table 12 Internet user statistics Egypt, March 2007
Table 13 Internet users & penetration in Egypt, 1995-2007
Table 14 ADSL subscribers Egypt, 2002-2007
Table 15 Internet user & penetration estimates in Iran, 1995-2006
Table 16 Internet user estimates in Iraq, 2001-2006
Table 17 Broadband subscribers, annual change & household penetration in Israel, 2001-2006
Table 18 Broadband networks - subscribers, annual change & market share in Israel, 2005-2006
Table 19 Internet users, penetration & household penetration estimates in Israel, 1997-2006
Table 20 ISP market shares in Israel, 2005-2006
Table 21 Cable modem subscribers in Israel, 2003-2006
Table 22 ADSL subscribers in Israel, 2005-2006
Table 23 Walla Communications revenue & profit, 2005-2006
Table 24 Broadcasting market statistical overview in Israel, 2006
Table 25 YES satellite TV subscribers & market share, 2002-2006
Table 26 Internet user & penetration estimates in Jordan, 1995-2006
Table 27 Internet subscribers in Jordan, 1999-2006
Table 28 DSL subscribers in Jordan, 2001-2006
Table 29 TV market - receivers & households in Jordan, 1999-2006
Table 30 JRTVC revenue, 2005-2006
Table 31 Internet user & penetration estimates in Kuwait, 1995-2006
Table 32 Internet subscribers in Kuwait, 2003-2006
Table 33 Broadband DSL subscribers in Kuwait, 2001-2006
Table 34 TV market - TVs & satellites in Kuwait, 2000-2006
Table 35 Internet user & penetration estimates in Lebanon, 1995-2006
Table 36 Internet subscribers in Lebanon, 2001-2006
Table 37 Cable modem Internet subscribers in Lebanon, 2002-2006
Table 38 TV equipped households in Lebanon, 1996-2006
Table 39 Internet user & penetration estimates in Oman, 1998-2006
Table 40 Internet subscribers in Oman, 2000-2007
Table 41 Internet user & penetration estimates in Qatar, 1995-2006
Table 42 Internet subscribers in Qatar, 1999-2006
Table 43 ADSL subscribers in Qatar, 2003-2006
Table 44 Internet users & penetration estimates in Saudi Arabia, 1995-2006
Table 45 Internet subscribers in Saudi Arabia, 2000-2006
Table 46 Broadband statistics in Saudi Arabia, March 2007
Table 47 DSL subscribers in Saudi Arabia, 2001-2007
Table 48 TV receivers & TV equipped households in Saudi Arabia, 2000-2006
Table 49 Internet user & penetration estimates in Syria, 1999-2006
Table 50 Broadband & dial-up Internet subscribers in Syria, 2004-2006
Table 51 Internet users in Turkey, 1996-2005
Table 52 Broadband statistics in Turkey, March 2006
Table 53 Broadband subscribers by access technology in Turkey, March 2006
Table 54 Broadband penetration in Turkey, 2001-2006
Table 55 ADSL subscribers in Turkey, 2002-2006
Table 56 Audience share by broadcaster in Turkey, 2003-2006
Table 57 Audience share by channel in Turkey, 2005-2006
Table 58 Total ad spending & annual change by segment in Turkey, 2005-2006
Table 59 Total ad spending in Turkey, 2003-2006
Table 60 Dogan Yavin Holding financial statistics & annual change, 2005-2006
Table 61 Internet user & penetration estimates in UAE, 1995-2006
Table 62 Internet subscribers in UAE, 2001-2006
Table 63 Dial-up Internet subscribers in UAE, 2001-2006
Table 64 Broadband subscribers in UAE, 2000-2006
Table 65 TV and cable TV market in UAE, 2000-2006
Table 66 Internet user and penetration estimates in Yemen, 1996-2006
Table 67 Internet subscribers in Yemen, 2004-2006
