Africa and the Middle East — a region in which we include Africa, the Gulf, Iran, Turkey and the Levant — is witnessing one of the fastest growth rates for WiMAX adoption globally. WiMAX service offerings were virtually unheard of before 2007 in the region. By year-end 2009, we expect WiMAX to contribute about 2% of total fixed broadband subscriptions in AME, a higher share than in any other region globally except for Latin America.
Recent vendor announcements for WiMAX deployments in the region indicate that the strong WiMAX growth in AME will continue. In Saudi Arabia, for example, Mobily’s announcement in October that it intends to raise US$240m for WiMAX deployment shows how fast the technology is maturing in the region. WiMAX deployments are based on a wide range of business models, from free or subsidized rural connectivity schemes to fully customized connectivity and CRM solutions required by international corporations.
In this Insider, we look at the development and adoption of WiMAX technology in the region, highlighting opportunities and challenges for operators. We start by looking at the main drivers behind WiMAX rollouts in AME from 2007 to 2009. We then analyze the future prospects of WiMAX technology, discussing challenges and opportunities in the residential and business segments. Finally, we look more closely at case studies that examine three different WiMAX deployments in detail: France Telecom in Cameroon, Go in Saudi Arabia and Umniah in Jordan.
Published monthly for each of the world’s most dynamic regions, Telecom Insiders are packed with trend analysis, industry best practices, market sizing and forecasting, competitor analysis, and case studies, providing you information you can leverage to make better business decisions. For more information about Telecom Insiders, please contact us via email at info@pyr.com or telephone at (617) 871-1900
