Middle East tops global internet user growth

It was revealed in a report that the Middle East witnessed the highest increase in internet users compared to the rest of the world.

Internet users in the region soared by more than 600% - three times higher than the global average increase, market research firm RNCOS revealed.

The ‘Middle East Broadband Forecast to 2010’ report attributed the increase in subscribers to reduced charges and continuous network infrastructure upgrades in the region.

“The aggressive developments in the field of technology by the Gulf countries to change their image from ‘oil-rich’ countries to ‘technologically-developed’ nations has created huge opportunities for domestic as well as foreign players seeking to make way into these potential markets,” the report states.

Israel dominates the regional broadband market with the highest number of subscribers in 2007, followed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE.

The report adds that “the Middle East broadband market is poised to grow at rapid pace in the backdrop of positive economic outlook and increased market liberalization”.

It’s also predicted that 3G subscribers in the Middle East is likely to exceed four million by the end of 2010.