3G Services to Drive VAS Market in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest telecom markets in the Middle East with the presence of region’s biggest telecom players. The mobile market dominates the entire telecom sector with strong growth in the number of subscribers and revenue. Besides, due to the fierce competition, operators are providing customers special offers to attract more subscribers. Some of these offers include enhancements to value added services, bonuses &discounts, and special offers. In terms of technological developments, the Saudi Arabian mobile market is highly competitive, with three mobile operators offering 3G services, namely Saudi Telecom Company, Mobily, and Zain.  According to our report "Saudi Arabia ICT Market Forecast 2014", number of 3G subscribers will account for around 35% of the overall mobile subscribers by 2014 end. Due to its right mix of population and wealth, Saudi Arabia is an attractive destination for mobile operators. The country has witnessed rapid uptake of 3G technology as around 60% of the country’s population is young. As this population segment is known for its tech-savvy nature and adopts new technology and gadgets faster, it is a crucial factor for 3G growth in the country.