By Early 2006, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar Were All Testing 3G Services Following Its Successful Introduction in Bahrain and Israel.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c40865) has announced the addition of "2006 Middle Eastern - Mobile Communications and Mobile Data Markets" to their offering.

Counties covered: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

This annual report provides an insight into the disparate mobile markets of the Middle East. Topics detailed in the report include the following:

--Regional mobile market developments and analysis

--Government policies

--Regional expansion by local players

--Infrastructure, GSM, CDMA, iDEN

--Satellite mobile, Push-to-Talk

--Mobile data - content and applications

--3G and HSDPA 

--Major mobile operators

Key highlights:

--While fixed-line teledensity in these countries remains comparatively low, the mobile market is booming, with a significant rise in the number of subscribers over 2005, notably in Iraq and Iran, and to a lesser extent in the more mature markets of Israel and Kuwait.

--Bahrain recorded the highest mobile penetration rate in 2005, which stood at 117% followed by UAE (99%). In early 2006, the ratio of mobile penetration to fixed-line penetration was 365% in Jordan and 343% in Bahrain. New mobile operators have been granted international gateway rights in several countries, resulting in lower prices for international phone calls.

--By early 2006, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar were all testing 3G services following its successful introduction in Bahrain and Israel.

--Arab incumbents, mobile operators and other investors have all been enthusiastically buying licences and operators elsewhere over the past two years in other Middle Eastern countries and in the less developed regions of Africa and West Asia. MTC of Kuwait has been the biggest player, followed by Etisalat of the UAE and Kuwait's other mobile operator, Wataniya.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c40865