The Saudi Arabian telecom market is rapidly becoming more competitive. The large population, fast growing economy and relatively low penetration rates provide make this a market with exciting potential. A new second mobile operator has rapidly grown its subscriber base and a third mobile licence has been auctioned. New competitors in the data market have shown they intend to make a serious bid for market share. A second fixed-line licence is also being auctioned. The changes currently taking place are covered in this overview of the communications market in Saudi Arabia.
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| 1. | | Synopsis |
| 2. | | Key statistics |
| 3. | | Telecommunications market |
| 3.1 | | Overview of Saudi Arabias telecom market |
| 4. | | Regulatory environment |
| 4.1 | | Background |
| 4.2 | | Regulatory authority |
| 4.3 | | Telecom sector liberalisation in Saudi Arabia |
| 4.3.1 | | Data communications licences |
| 4.3.2 | | VSAT licences |
| 4.3.3 | | Second fixed-line licence |
| 4.4 | | Privatisation |
| 4.5 | | Interconnect and access |
| 4.6 | | Number Portability (NP) |
| 4.7 | | Universal service |
| 5. | | Fixed network operators in Saudi Arabia |
| 5.1 | | Saudi Telecom Company (STC) |
| 5.2 | | ITC |
| 5.3 | | Bayanat Al-Oula |
| 5.4 | | Saudi Oger |
| 5.4.1 | | Oger Telecom |
| 5.4.2 | | Inquam |
| 5.4.3 | | Cyberia Holdings (Middle East Internet Company) |
| 6. | | Telecommunications infrastructure |
| 6.1 | | National telecom network |
| 6.1.1 | | STC |
| 6.1.2 | | Alternative operators infrastructure |
| 6.2 | | International infrastructure |
| 6.2.1 | | Submarine cable networks |
| 6.2.2 | | Satellite networks |
| 7. | | Broadband and Internet market |
| 7.1 | | Overview |
| 7.1.1 | | The Home Computing Initiative |
| 7.1.2 | | Internet statistics |
| 7.2 | | ISP market |
| 7.2.1 | | Major ISPs |
| 7.3 | | Broadband market overview |
| 7.4 | | DSL |
| 7.5 | | Broadband powerline (BPL) |
| 7.6 | | Leased lines |
| 7.7 | | Wireless broadband |
| 7.7.1 | | WiFi |
| 7.7.2 | | WiMAX |
| 7.7.3 | | Internet via satellite |
| 7.7.4 | | Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) |
| 8. | | Convergence |
| 8.1 | | Overview of media convergence |
| 8.2 | | Overview of broadcasting market |
| 8.2.1 | | MBC |
| 8.2.2 | | Satellite-based digital Pay TV developments |
| 9. | | Mobile communications |
| 9.1 | | Overview of Saudi Arabias mobile market |
| 9.1.1 | | Mobile statistics |
| 9.2 | | Regulatory issues |
| 9.2.1 | | Award of second GSM mobile licence |
| 9.2.2 | | iDEN contract awarded |
| 9.2.3 | | Award of Third Generation (3G) licences |
| 9.2.4 | | Award of third mobile licence |
| 9.3 | | Mobile technologies |
| 9.3.1 | | Analogue |
| 9.3.2 | | Digital |
| 9.3.3 | | 3G |
| 9.4 | | Major mobile operators |
| 9.4.1 | | Saudi Telecom Company (STC) |
| 9.4.2 | | Ettihad Etisalat (Mobily) |
| 9.4.3 | | Public Telecommunications Company (Bravo) |
| 9.5 | | Mobile voice services |
| 9.5.1 | | Prepaid |
| 9.5.2 | | Satellite mobile |
| 9.6 | | Mobile data services |
| 9.7 | | Mobile applications |
| 10. | | Related reports |
Table 1 Country statistics 2006 |
| Table 2 Telephone network statistics 2006 |
| Table 3 Internet user statistics 2006 |
| Table 4 Broadband statistics March 2007 |
| Table 5 Mobile statistics 2006 |
| Table 6 National telecommunications authorities |
| Table 7 Fixed lines in service and teledensity - 1994 - 2006 |
| Table 8 Internet users and penetration estimates 1995 - 2006 |
| Table 9 Internet subscribers - 2000 - 2006 |
| Table 10 DSL subscribers - 2001 - 2007 |
| Table 11 TV receivers and TV equipped households - 2000 - 2006 |
| Table 12 Mobile ARPU - 2005 - 2006 |
| Table 13 Mobile subscribers and penetration - 1995 - 2006 |
| Table 14 Mobile subscribers and annual change by operator December 2006 |
