Telecom industry sees 3G boom in Saudi Arabia

I suppose that in many respects, this makes sense. Saudi is a wealthy enough country, and they need data just like everyone else coming down to their mobile devices. So I guess that seeing a developing market for 3G would work for them.

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, which plans to license a third telecom operator by the end of this year, offers considerable growth potential for third-generation mobile-phone use, experts say.

Walid Moneimne, senior vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa at handset manufacturer
Nokia (NOK1V.HE), said that in three years the number of 3G users had risen to 100 million worldwide, out of 2 billion mobile line subscribers.

“It’s a key indicator that definitely it is happening. We’re talking about phenomenal development … and the Middle East and Africa are going to be the fastest in the world,” he told a seminar in the kingdom late on Sunday.

Oil-rich Saudi Arabia, with its gadget-obsessed population and low Internet-penetration rate, offers particularly good opportunities for mobile phones with third-generation technology, experts told the seminar…. Source: Reuters