Saudi Arabia Remains the Arab World’s Most competitive Cellular Market for the Third Consecutive Year
Amman, Jordan, July 23, 2013--The Arab Advisors Group released the results of its Cellular Competition Intensity Index 2013 in July 2013. The index ranks Saudi Arabia as the most competitive Arab cellular market for the third consecutive year. Jordan came in second, followed by Palestine.
“Saudi Arabia maintained its rank as the most competitive cellular market in the Arab World for the third consecutive year. The country hosts four operational and licensed mobile network operators, in addition to one MVNO. Saudi Arabia’s score benefited from the availability of smart phone plans, corporate offers, 3G services and ILD competition.” Mr. Mohammed Al-Shawwa, Arab Advisors Group Research Manager noted.
The Cellular Competition Intensity Index results for 2013 revealed that Saudi Arabia tops the score –as the most competitive Arab market- with a 76.58% mark. This is followed by Jordan (75.83%), Palestine (71.55%), Egypt (67.89%), Iraq (66.03%), Oman (64.28%), Morocco (64.20%), Bahrain (64.18%), Tunisia (63.03%), Sudan (59.01%), Mauritania (58.28%), Algeria (57.99%), Yemen (56.38%), Kuwait (54.32%), UAE (48.68%), Qatar (47.67%), Libya (41.58%), Syria (40.74%) and Lebanon (40.71%).
The Cellular Competition Intensity Index is relative in nature as it compares the state of every market relative to other markets. As such, even if a market’s absolute level of competition improved, its score in this relative index will also depend on how other markets developed. The 2013 index results revealed that five countries ranked higher than their 2012 index ranks, these are: Iraq, Bahrain, Sudan, Mauritania and Libya. Moreover, a total of six countries ranked lower compared to the 2012 index, namely: Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Syria and Lebanon. The remaining eight countries of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Yemen, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar maintained their 2012 ranks.
The Arab Advisors Group devised the Cellular Competition Intensity Index to rate and to examine the intensity level of competition in the Arab World’s cellular markets. The index takes into account the number of operators, packages, and services available in each of the 19 countries covered by the Arab Advisors Group. Each category was assigned a certain weight according to its importance as an indicator of competition. The categories include the following: Number of licensed and expected MNOs in 2013, number of working operators, market share of largest operator, number of prepaid plans, number of postpaid plans, availability of smart phone plans, availability of corporate offers, availability of 3G services and the availability of operational ILD (International Long Distance) competition.
A new report, “Competition Levels in Arab Cellular Markets 2013” was released to the Arab Advisors Group’s Telecoms Strategic Research Service subscribers in July 2013. The report ranks the Arab World countries according to their cellular competition intensity level, based on a methodological approach.
Any investment in this report will count towards an annual Strategic Research Service subscription should the service be acquired within three months from purchasing the report, or could count towards attending Arab Advisors’ 2nd Smart Handheld Summit 2013 on November 26 & 27, 2013 in Dubai - UAE. Telecom and Media operators can send up to 2 delegates to attend at no charge. Press members can also attend at no charge. More information on The 2nd Smart Handheld Summit 2013 can be viewed on: http://www.arabadvisors.com/SmartHandheld/schedule.htm
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