Middle East - Mobile Network Operators and MVNOs

Description

The Middle East - Mobile Network Operators and MVNOs report includes all relevant BuddeComm research data and analysis. Covering trends and developments in telecommunications, mobile, internet, broadband, infrastructure and regulation. Please review the Executive Summary and Table of Contents for more details.

Middle East's mobile operators step up network investment

Mobile operators across the Middle East have faced extraordinary challenges since 2020, with the pandemic having impacted on most facets of mobile services and operations. The operators have had to quickly meet the increased demand for online communication and Internet services, stemming from citizens working and studying remotely, along with supporting service providers offering tele-health and e-education solutions.

In Saudi Arabia, for example, the MNOs have demonstrated a keen sense of social responsibility during the pandemic by launching various initiatives to support society in terms of education, enterprise, and healthcare. Saudi Telecom Company (STC) and Royal Philips (a healthcare solution provider) worked together to develop and implement solutions based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) which allow doctors to treat and diagnose patients remotely.

Many of the operators have observed a change in consumer behaviour during the pandemic, with Du from the United Arab Emirates, for example, experiencing a decline in mobile revenues which was partly attributed to a shift by consumers towards pre-paid mobile phones rather than fixed contracts, in order to manage personal budgets throughout the crisis. Revenues from roaming services have also been impacted upon with less travel and movement by citizens.

Despite the acute disruption to the Telcos usual business operations; a number of the operators have continued to work on their original strategic plans for 2020 and while progress towards 5G may have slowed, it is still a key priority for many of the operators across the Middle East.

This report provides valuable information, analyses, and statistics into the mobile operators in markets of the Middle East and includes the countries of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Recent developments:

Some operators experienced a decline in roaming revenue due to the impact of the pandemic.

Countries in the region have seen an increased demand for tele-health and e-education services, as well as collaboration with mobile operators to deliver such services.

Many mobile operators in the Middle East have formed partnerships in order to develop and progress 5G readiness.

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Mobile Telecommunications Co (MTC) / Zain, Ooredoo Kuwait (previously National Mobile Telecommunication Co (NMT) / Wataniya Telecom), Kuwait Telecom Company (KTC) / Viva, Batelco, Zain Bahrain, Viva Bahrain, Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), Mobile Communications Iran (MCI), MTN Irancell, Tamin Telecom (Rightel), Mobile Telecommunications Company of Isfahan (MTCE), Telecommunication Kish Company (TKC), Iraqi Telephone and Postal Company (ITPC), Asiacell, Zain Iraq, Korek Telecom, Regional Telecom, Cellcom, Orange (Partner), Pelephone (Bezeq), HOT Mobile, Golan Telecom, Rami Levy, Jordan Telecom Group/Orange, Zain Jordan, Batelco/Umniah, Saudi Telecom Company (STC)/Bravo, Integrated Telecom Company (ITC)/Bayn Consortium, GO Telecom/Etihad Atheeb, Mobily/Ettihad Etisalat/Bayanat Al-Oula, Zain KSA, Lebara KSA/Etihad Jawraa, Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa (Virgin Mobile MEA), Axiom Telecom, VIVA, Etisalat, du, Jordan Telecom Group/Orange, Zain Jordan, Batelco/Umniah, MTC Touch, Alfa Telecom, Ooredoo Qatar, Vodafone Qatar, OmanTel, Ooredoo Oman, FRiENDi, Majan Telecom (Renna), Samatel, Syrian Telecommunication Establishment (STE), MTN Syria, Syriatel, Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey, Avea.

1 Regional mobile overview

1.1 Middle East country summary

2 Regional mobile statistics

2.1 Middle East mobile subscriber growth
2.2 Middle East mobile data and smartphone growth
2.3 Middle East major operators and subscribers

3 Bahrain

3.1 Market analysis
3.2 Mobile network developments
3.3 Operator statistics
3.4 Major mobile operators

4 Iran

4.1 Market analysis
4.2 Mobile network developments
4.3 Major mobile operators

5 Iraq

5.1 Market analysis
5.2 Mobile network developments
5.3 operator statistics
5.4 Major mobile operators

6 Israel

6.1 Market analysis
6.2 Mobile network developments
6.3 Major mobile operators
6.4 MVNOs

7 Jordan

7.1 Market Analysis
7.2 Mobile market developments
7.3 Major mobile operators

8 Kuwait

8.1 Market analysis
8.2 Mobile network developments
8.3 Operator statistics
8.4 Major mobile operators

9 Lebanon

9.1 Market overview
9.2 Mobile network developments
9.3 Operator statistics
9.4 Major mobile operators

10 Oman

10.1 Mobile analysis
10.2 Mobile network developments
10.3 Operator statistics
10.4 Major mobile operators

11 Qatar

11.1 Market analysis
11.2 Mobile network developments
11.3 Operator statistics
11.4 Major mobile operators

12 Saudi Arabia

12.1 Market analysis
12.2 Mobile network developments
12.3 Operator statistics
12.4 Major mobile operators

13 Syria

13.1 Market analysis
13.2 Mobile network developments
13.3 Major mobile operators

14 Turkey

14.1 Market analysis
14.2 Mobile network developments
14.3 Major mobile operators

15 United Arab Emirates

15.1 Market analysis
15.2 Mobile market developments
15.3 Major mobile operators

16 Yemen

16.1 Market overview
16.2 Mobile network developments
16.3 Major mobile operators
Table 1 Middle East mobile market country profiles - 2019
Table 2 Middle East - mobile subscriptions and annual growth 2014 - 2020
Table 3 Zain Bahrain mobile data market share of total revenue 2015 2019
Table 4 Middle East - mobile smartphone adoption growth 2017; 2020
Table 5 Middle East Major domestic operators by subscribers 2014 - 2019
Table 6 Middle East international mobile operators by subscribers 2014 - 2019
Table 7 Bahrain Mobile market share by operators 2018 2021
Table 8 Development of Batelco Bahrain's revenue by segment (BHD million) 2017 2021
Table 9 Change in the number of Batelco Group's mobile subscribers 2012 2019
Table 10 Development of Zain Bahrain's financial data ($ million) - 2012 2021
Table 11 Zain Bahrain's mobile data revenue share of total revenue 2015 2021
Table 12 Change in the number of Zain Bahrain's mobile subscribers - 2012 2019
Table 13 Development of Zain Bahrain's mobile ARPU - 2012 2021
Table 14 Development of MTN Irancell's financial data (ZAR million) 2015 2021
Table 15 Development of MTN Irancell's revenue and EBITDA (IRR billion) 2016 2021
Table 16 Change in the number of MTN Irancell's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 17 Change in MTN Irancell's mobile ARPU ($) 2012 2021
Table 18 Change in MTN Irancell's mobile ARPU (IRR) 2012 2021
Table 19 Change in MTN Irancell's mobile traffic 2012 2021
Table 20 Iraq Change in the mobile market share of subscribers by operator 2012 2020
Table 21 Iraq Development of Asiacell's financial data (QAR billion) 2012 2021
Table 22 Iraq Development of Asiacell's financial data (IQD billion) 2012 2021
Table 23 Iraq Change in the number of Asiacell's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 24 Iraq Development of Asiacell's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Table 25 Development of Zain Iraq's financial data ($ billion) 2012 2021
Table 26 Development of Zain Iraq's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Table 27 Change in the number of Zain Iraq's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 28 Zain Iraq's mobile prepaid and postpaid subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Table 29 Change in the market share of Zain Iraq's prepaid and postpaid subscribers 2012 2021
Table 30 Change in Zain Iraq's average mobile data traffic 2012 2020
Table 31 Iraq Change in the number of Korek Telecom's mobile subscribers 2013 2020
Table 32 Israel Major mobile operators' monthly mobile ARPU (ILS / month) 2013 2021
Table 33 Israel Development of Cellcom's consolidated financial data ILS billion) 2012 2021
Table 34 Israel Development of Cellcom's consolidated EBITDA , capex (ILS billion) 2012 2021
Table 35 Israel Change in the number of Cellcom's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 36 Israel Decline in Cellcom's annual churn rate 2012 2021
Table 37 Israel Development of Partner's financial data (ILS million) 2012 2021
Table 38 Israel Change in the number of Partner's mobile subscribers and churn rate 2012 2021
Table 39 Israel Decline in Pelephone's mobile revenue 2012 2021
Table 40 Israel Change in the number of Pelephone's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 41 Israel Change in the number of Pelephone's contract and prepaid subscribers (million) 2014 2021
Table 42 Israel Change in Pelephone's annual churn rate 2012 2021
Table 43 Israel Development of HOT Mobile's financial data ( million) 2013 2021
Table 44 Israel Change in the number of HOT Mobile's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Table 45 Development of Zain Jordan's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Table 46 Development of Zain Jordan's financial data ($ million) 2012 2021
Table 47 Change in the number of Zain Jordan's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 48 Change in the number of Orange Jordan's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 49 Jordan Development of Umniah's revenue 2012 2021
Table 50 Jordan Change in the number of Umniah's mobile subscribers 2012 2018
Table 51 Kuwait Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Table 52 Kuwait Development of Zain Group's financial data ($ million) 2012 2021
Table 53 Kuwait Change in the number of Zain Group's subscribers 2012 2021
Table 54 Development of Zain Kuwait's financial data ($ million) 2012 2021
Table 55 Change in the number of Zain Kuwait's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Table 56 Development of Zain Kuwait's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Table 57 Increase in the number of Zain Kuwait's mobile base stations 2014 2020
Table 58 Development of Ooredoo Kuwait's financial data (QAR million) 2012 2021
Table 59 Change in the number of Ooredoo Kuwait's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Table 60 Development of Ooredoo Kuwait's mobile ARPU (QAR/user/month) 2012 2021
Table 61 Development of STC Kuwait's financial data (KWD million) 2012 2021
Table 62 Change in the number of STC Kuwait's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 63 Lebanon Change in mobile operator market share 2012 2020
Table 64 Lebanon Change in the number of Touch's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2020
Table 65 Oman Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Table 66 Oman Change in the number of Omantel Mobile's mobile subscribers 2016 2021
Table 67 Development of Ooredoo Oman's mobile ARPU (QAR / month) 2013 2021
Table 68 Change in the number of Ooredoo Oman's mobile subscribers by type 2012 2021
Table 69 Qatar Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Table 70 Change in the number of Ooredoo Qatar's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Table 71 Change in Ooredoo Qatar's mobile ARPU (QAR / subscriber / month) 2012 2021
Table 72 Development of Vodafone Qatar's financial data (QAR million) 2012 2021
Table 73 Change in the number of Vodafone Qatar's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 74 Development of Vodafone Qatar's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Table 75 Saudi Arabia Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2018
Table 76 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of Mobily's mobile subscribers 2006 2017
Table 77 Saudi Arabia Development of Mobily's financial data (SAR billion) 2012 2021
Table 78 Saudi Arabia Development of Zain KSA's financial data ($ million) 2012 2021
Table 79 Saudi Arabia Development of Zain KSA's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Table 80 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of Zain KSA's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 81 Saudi Arabia Growth in the number of Zain's base stations 2012 2020
Table 82 Syria Change in the market share based of mobile subscribers by operator 2018 2020
Table 83 Change in Syriatel's revenue 2012 2021
Table 84 Development of MTN Syria's revenue and CAPEX (ZAR million) 2012 2021
Table 85 Development of MTN Syria's revenue and EBITDA (SYP billion) 2012 2021
Table 86 Development of MTN Syria's service revenue 2017 2021
Table 87 Change in the number of MTN Syria's subscribers 2012 2021
Table 88 Change in MTN Syria's ARPU 2012 2021
Table 89 Development of MTN Syria's mobile traffic 2013 2021
Table 90 Turkey Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Table 91 Change in the number of Turkcell's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Table 92 Turkcell Turkey's annualised mobile ARPU (TRY/month) 2012 2021
Table 93 Turkcell Turkey - mobile data usage and MoU 2012 2021
Table 94 Turkcell smartphone penetration 2012 2021
Table 95 Development of Vodafone Turkey's financial data ( million) 2016 2022
Table 96 Change in the number of Vodafone Turkey's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 97 Development of Vodafone Turkey's mobile ARPU (TRY/month) 2012 2021
Table 98 Development of Turk Telekom's mobile ARPU (TRY/month) 2012 2021
Table 99 Change in the number of Turk Telekom's mobile subscribers by type (million) 2012 2021
Table 100 UAE Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Table 101 Etisalat (UAE) mobile revenue and blended ARPU 2016 2021
Table 102 UAE Change in the number of Etisalat's domestic mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 103 UAE Change in the number of Etisalat's domestic mobile subscribers by type (million) 2012 2021
Table 104 UAE Development of du's mobile revenue 2012 2021
Table 105 UAE Change in the number of du's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 106 UAE du mobile subscribers by type (million) 2020 2021
Table 107 UAE Development of du's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Table 108 Change in the number of MTN Yemen's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Table 109 Change in MTN Yemen's mobile ARPU and market share 2012 2021
Table 110 Development of MTN Yemen's revenue and EBITDA (ZAR million) 2012 2021
Table 111 Development of MTN Yemen's financial data (YER billion) 2016 2021
Table 112 Change in MTN Yemen's mobile voice and data traffic 2012 2021
Table 113 Change in the number of Sabafon's mobile subscribers 2012 2019
Table 114 Change in the number of Yemen Mobile's mobile subscribers 2017 2019
Table 115 Yemen Change in the number of Y-Telecom's-mobile subscribers 2016 2019
Chart 1 Bahrain Mobile market share by operators 2018 2021
Chart 2 Development of Batelco Bahrain's revenue by segment 2017 2021
Chart 3 Development of Zain Bahrain's financial data - 2012 2021
Chart 4 Change in the number of Zain Bahrain's mobile subscribers - 2012 2019
Chart 5 Development of Zain Bahrain's mobile ARPU - 2012 2021
Chart 6 Development of MTN Irancell's financial data 2015 2021
Chart 7 Development of MTN Irancell's financial data 2016 2021
Chart 8 Change in the number of MTN Irancell's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 9 Change in MTN Irancell's mobile ARPU (IRR) 2012 2021
Chart 10 Change in MTN Irancell's mobile traffic 2012 2021
Chart 11 Iraq Change in the mobile market share of subscribers by operator 2012 2020
Chart 12 Iraq Development of Asiacell's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 13 Iraq Development of Asiacell's financial data (IQD) 2012 2021
Chart 14 Iraq Change in the number of Asiacell's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 15 Iraq Development of Asiacell's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 16 Development of Zain Iraq's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 17 Development of Zain Iraq's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 18 Change in the number of Zain Iraq's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 19 Zain Iraq's mobile prepaid and postpaid subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 20 Change in the market share of Zain Iraq's prepaid and postpaid subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 21 Change in Zain Iraq's average mobile data traffic 2012 2020
Chart 22 Israel Major mobile operators' monthly mobile ARPU (ILS / month) 2013 2021
Chart 23 Israel Development of Cellcom's consolidated financial data 2012 2021
Chart 24 Israel Development of Cellcom's consolidated EBITDA , capex 2012 2021
Chart 25 Israel Change in the number of Cellcom's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 26 Israel Decline in Cellcom's annual Churn rate 2012 2021
Chart 27 Israel Development of Partner's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 28 Israel Change in the number of Partner's mobile subscribers and churn rate 2012 2021
Chart 29 Israel Decline in Pelephone's mobile revenue 2012 2021
Chart 30 Israel Change in the number of Bezeq (Pelephone's) mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 31 Israel Change in the number of Pelephone's contract and prepaid subscribers 2014 2021
Chart 32 Israel Change in Pelephone's annual churn rate 2012 2021
Chart 33 Israel Development of HOT Mobile's financial data 2013 2021
Chart 34 Israel Change in the number of HOT Mobile's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Chart 35 Development of Zain Jordan's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 36 Change in the number of Zain Jordan's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 37 Change in the number of Orange Jordan's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 38 Jordan Development of Umniah's revenue 2012 2021
Chart 39 Kuwait Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Chart 40 Kuwait Development of Zain Group's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 41 Kuwait Change in the number of Zain Group's subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 42 Development of Zain Kuwait's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 43 Change in the number of Zain Kuwait's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 44 Development of Zain Kuwait's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 45 Development of Ooredoo Kuwait's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 46 Change in the number of Ooredoo Kuwait's mobile subscribers (million) 2012 2021
Chart 47 Development of Ooredoo Kuwait's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 48 Development of STC Kuwait's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 49 Change in the number of STC Kuwait's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 50 Lebanon Change in mobile operator market share 2012 2020
Chart 51 Lebanon Change in the number of Touch's mobile subscribers 2012 2020
Chart 52 Oman Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Chart 53 Development of Ooredoo Oman's mobile ARPU 2013 2021
Chart 54 Change in the number of Ooredoo Oman's mobile subscribers by type 2012 2021
Chart 55 Qatar Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Chart 56 Change in the number of Ooredoo Qatar's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 57 Change in Ooredoo Qatar's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 58 Development of Vodafone Qatar's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 59 Change in the number of Vodafone Qatar's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 60 Development of Vodafone Qatar's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 61 Saudi Arabia Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2018
Chart 62 Saudi Arabia Development of Mobily's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 63 Saudi Arabia Development of Zain KSA's financial data 2012 2021
Chart 64 Saudi Arabia Change in the number of Zain KSA's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 65 Syria Change in the market share based of mobile subscribers by operator 2018 2020
Chart 66 Change in Syriatel's revenue 2012 2021
Chart 67 Development of MTN Syria's revenue and CAPEX 2012 2021
Chart 68 Development of MTN Syria's revenue and EBITDA 2012 2021
Chart 69 Development of MTN Syria's service revenue 2017 2021
Chart 70 Change in the number of MTN Syria's subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 71 Change in the number of MTN Syria's ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 72 Development of MTN Syria's mobile traffic 2013 2021
Chart 73 Turkey Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Chart 74 Change in the number of Turkcell's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 75 Turkcell Turkey's annualised mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 76 Development of Vodafone Turkey's financial data 2016 2022
Chart 77 Change in the number of Vodafone Turkey's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 78 Development of Vodafone Turkey's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 79 Development of Turk Telekom's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 80 Change in the number of Turk Telekom's mobile subscribers by type 2012 2021
Chart 81 UAE Change in the market share of mobile subscribers by operator 2012 2021
Chart 82 UAE Change in the number of Etisalat's domestic mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 83 UAE Change in the number of Etisalat's domestic mobile subscribers by type 2012 2021
Chart 84 UAE Development of du's mobile revenue 2012 2021
Chart 85 UAE Change in the number of du's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 86 UAE Development of du's mobile ARPU 2012 2021
Chart 87 Change in the number of MTN Yemen's mobile subscribers 2012 2021
Chart 88 Development of MTN Yemen's revenue and EBITDA 2012 2021
Chart 89 Development of MTN Yemen's financial data 2016 2021
Chart 90 Change in MTN Yemen's mobile voice and data traffic 2012 2021
Exhibit 1 Background information - Orascom Telecom Iraq Corporation/Iraqna
Exhibit 2 Israel 5G spectrum auction results August 2020
Exhibit 3 Turkey Mobile operators' spectrum holdings by band June 2021