ICT indicators in K.S.A (Q3-2011)
1- Mobile Telecommunications Market:
Competition in the mobile telecommunications market, which started in 2005, has resulted in major developments in terms of service offerings, quality of service, customer care, reduced prices, and subscriber growth. The total number of mobile subscriptions grew to around 56.1 million by end of 9M 2011, with penetration stood at 198 %. Prepaid subscriptions constitute the majority (87%) of all mobile subscriptions, in line with the trend in other similar markets around the world.
2- Fixed Telephony Market:
Fixed telephone lines stood at 4.52 million by end of 9M 2011, of which around 3.34 million or 73% were residential lines. This represents a household teledensity of around 67%, The population teledensity is around 15.9% or 159 telephone lines for every 1000 inhabitants. This is slightly lower than the world average of 16.6%, but is higher than the Arab World average of 10.5% and the developing countries average of 11.6%.
The slight decline in residential fixed telephone lines is attributable to the reduced demand for fixed services caused by the increased adoption of mobile services, as telecommunications is becoming more personal and focused on the individual (rather than a shared household service).
3- Broadband Services Market:
3-1 Fixed Broadband Services :
Fixed Broadband subscriptions including DSL subscriptions, Fixed Wireless (Wimax) subscriptions and other fixed lines have grown to around 2.13 million at the end of 9M 2011. The Fixed Broadband penetration rate stood at around 30.6% of households at the end of 9M 2011.
3-2 Mobile Broadband Services :
The total subscriptions to mobile broadband reached 11.5 million at the end of 9M 2011, representing a penetration of 40.5% of the population. The mobile broadband market continues to gain momentum and is becoming an increasingly exciting market. One of the key reasons for this growth is the fact that due to competition and the huge expansions of the smart phones which enable customers for verities of data packages .Becoming easier to access via mobile devices such as smart phones, mobile networks are also improving as 3.5G (HSPA) continues to be deployed and wireless broadband technologies (4G) emerge over the next few years. It should be noted that in calculating the number of subscriptions, CITC has adopted the recommendations put forward by the ITU in early 2011.
As a result, the broadband subscriptions and penetration total for 9M of 2011 are substantially higher relative to those reported in previous years.
4- Internet Services Market:
The number of Internet users grew from around 1 million in 2001 to an estimated 13 million at the end of 9M 2011. Internet penetration increased to 46% of the population by the end of 9M 2011. This rapid growth of Internet users in Saudi Arabia is attributable to increased public awareness, growth in broadband availability, decreasing costs of personal computers laptops; internet enabled handheld devices and Internet access. Additionally increases in consumer ICT literacy, understanding of the value the Internet (personal and business life), availability of local content, of Arabic language sites, and of e-services such as online banking, e-commerce, and e-government applications have played a significant role in the increased adoption and use of internet.
