Page 43 - SAMENA Trends - Gitex Special 2023

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

At 100%, Bahrain Has Highest Internet Penetration Rate

Bahrain has the highest internet penetra-
tion rate in the world, with 100% of its pop-
ulation connected to the worldwide web.
Additionally, it boasts an internet quali-
ty that surpasses the global average by
seven percent. This is according to Surf-
shark’s 2023 Digital Quality of Life Index
(DQL), which assesses digital well-being
in 121 territories. “In many nations, ‘digital
quality of life’ has merged into the broader
concept of overall ‘quality of life.’ There’s
no other way to look at it now that so many
daily activities, including work, education,
and leisure, are done online,” expressed
Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, spokesper-
son for Surfshark. In terms of the overall
digital quality of life, Bahrain ranked 57th
on DQL’s list. This marks a one-spot de-
cline from the previous year. The index
evaluates countries in five core pillars: est at 10 Mbps. Over the past year, Bahrain said figure is already a huge improvement:
quality, affordability, e-infrastructure, has witnessed an impressive 97 percent It’s a 24-spot increase from the previous
e-security, and e-government. Accord- improvement in mobile internet speed and year. Looking into how other countries in
ing to the latest data, Bahrain particularly a 9 percent increase in fixed broadband the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) fared
excelled in e-infrastructure, securing the speed. This development could have con- in DQL’s list, the UAE is considered the
36th spot. E-infrastructure plays a cru- tributed to Bahrain’s high internet pene- top performer. Based on the overall dig-
cial role in facilitating daily online activi- tration rate. For internet affordability and ital quality of life, it ranked 38th globally.
ties, including work, study, and shopping. e-government, the country was at the 57th As stated, it also stands out as the country
Meanwhile, it occupied the 48th spot in in- place. The e-government pillar gauges a with the best internet quality in the world.
ternet quality, a measure that assesses the government’s digital service advancement Nonetheless, it is ranked 90th in e-secu-
speed, stability, and ongoing improvement and readiness for Artificial Intelligence. To rity. Meanwhile, Saudi ranked 45th overall.
of connectivity within a country. Fixed in- afford fixed broadband internet, Bahrainis Its top metric is e-infrastructure, placing
ternet in Bahrain averages 83 megabits per must work for 2 hours and 17 minutes per 28th among all 121 countries indexed. The
second (Mbps), while the world’s fastest month, slightly below the global average. country particularly faces challenges with
fixed internet, found in Singapore, boasts For mobile internet, it takes them 1 hour, 21 internet affordability, its lowest-ranked
speeds of 300 Mbps. Conversely, the minutes, and 24 seconds per month, which metric at 74th. Qatar placed 48th in terms
world’s slowest fixed internet, in Yemen, is in line with global standards. Among all of the overall digital quality of life. It fur-
registers just 11 Mbps. Meanwhile, Bah- pillars, the country obtained its lowest rank ther boasts good quality, ranking 19th
rain has an average mobile internet speed in e-security, at the 68th spot. E-security worldwide. Oman and Kuwait occupied the
of 202 Mbps. The United Arab Emirates evaluates a country’s preparedness to 61st and 63rd spots, respectively, when it
(UAE) offers the fastest mobile internet at combat cybercrime and the advancement comes to general digital well-being.
310 Mbps, while Venezuela has the slow- of its data protection laws. However, the

TDRA Announces the Conclusion of the 9th Edition of Its Virtual Camp

The Telecommunications and Digital expertise and skills to encourage the trainees reached 30,000 students since its
Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) participants to follow the tech path in their launch in 2015, in addition to the quality
announced the conclusion of the 9th future endeavors. The closing ceremony, of ideas presented by the participants. He
edition of "TDRA Virtual Camp", which took which was held virtually, was attended by said: “Today, as we celebrate this new group
place from 7 to 18 August 2023, with the H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, TDRA of creative minds and their inspiring ideas
participation of 2,700 students between 7 Director General. In his speech, H.E. Al that reflect the true spirit of innovation, we
and 18 years old. This edition’s activities Mesmar praised the wide participation are certain of the success of the vision of
aimed at providing a range of digital in this year’s edition, as the number of TDRA Virtual Camp, and the wisdom of our

43 GITEX SPECIAL 2023