The demand for satellite communication services in the Middle East is expected to generate $61 million in 2002 and is set to reach $571 million by 2006. Over 90 percent of the growth will be generated from data, indicating that high-speed services will be highly desired, an Inmarsat Satellite statement forecasted.
High-speed data traffic showed a 348 percent growth in the region in 2001. “More mobile high speed data communication solutions are being used in this part of the world, where fixed and mobile internet access and telecommunication services are either not fast enough, or not available,” stated regional director of Inmarsat, Samer Halawi. “Although voice mobile communication services will continue to grow in the region, demand for high speed data bandwidth is exponential,” he added.
Inmarsat Limited owns and operates a unique global mobile satellite network and delivers its communications solutions through a worldwide network of approximately 250 distributors and other service providers operating in over 150 countries to end users in the maritime, land and aeronautical sectors.
At the end of December 2001, approximately 240,000 terminals were registered to access Inmarsat’s services. The company is currently in the process of building its fourth generation satellites that will deliver data at speeds up to 432 kbit/s. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
