Saudi Arabia’s mobile phone penetration rate tops 177 per cent in 2009

Saudi Arabia’s mobile phone penetration rate tops 177 per cent in 2009

Saudi Communications 2010 to highlight local telecoms business and investment opportunities.

April 7, 2010 9:14 by Ben Flanagan

April 7, 2010: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s mobile phone penetration rate surpassed 177 per cent in 2009, reflecting the solid 7.5 per cent rise in the country’s telecom sector revenues to SAR 52.3 billion last year. The fixed-line and broadband sectors also posted penetration rate increases of 3.9 and 9.5 per cent, respectively. Industry analysts expect the Saudi telecommunications market to record strong figures in 2010 as well, driven by the continued expansion of the sector and high consumer spending power.

The introduction of high-speed WiMax broadband network services has also boosted internet penetration across the Kingdom, with sales of laptops, desktops, software and peripherals following suit. Saudi Communications 2010, the 12th International Communications Exhibition running from April 25 to 29, 2010 at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center, will capitalize on the sustained growth of the Saudi telecoms sector by highlighting key business and investment opportunities to local and regional organisations. The show will cover a broad range of applications, systems and components across the full range of telecommunications market segments.

“Saudi Arabia offers extensive telecom business and investment opportunities as it is the Gulf’s largest information and communications technology market (ICT). ICT revenues remained high last year despite the downturn, with the mobile phone sector doing exceptionally well. Many economists agree that 2010 will witness a significant movement towards global recovery, so there is a good possibility that local telecoms businesses will post record figures by year-end. Saudi Communications will point out areas with particularly strong growth potential and enable industry players to discuss key trends and best practices they need to know as they explore the Kingdom’s broad ICT market further,” said Shahid Bhatti, Project Manager of Saudi Communications at Riyadh Exhibitions Company.

Saudi Communications 2010 is organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Company and will be held concurrently with GITEX Saudi Arabia 2010, the local edition of the largest annual ICT exhibition series in the Middle East. Both events will enable over 450 exhibitors from popular trade countries to showcase the latest and best ICT products and services in the world.