Page 96 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bahrain Leads the World’s Mobile Internet Adoption with a User Penetration

Rate of 97.87%

world’s second highest mobile internet
penetration rate. 95.86% of the UAE’s
population uses this resource for their
online activity. Similarly, Kuwait is a small
country with a big appetite for mobile
internet. It ranks third globally in terms
of mobile internet usage. Like the other
two, it has an extensive mobile internet
infrastructure.
G7 Nations are Lagging in Adoption
The G7 nations are lagging in their internet
penetration rates. Of the top ten countries in
the world, only three are G7 members. With
a 93.59% penetration rate, Canada was the
best place in the sixth position. Japan (8th)
has a penetration of 92.68%, while the UK
(10th) has 92.26% penetration.
The US Ranks 44th in Mobile Internet
Penetration
The U.S ranks surprisingly low in terms of
mobile internet penetration. At 84.37%, it
ranks a disappointing 44th out of all the
countries in the world. This low ranking is
partly due to the US’s high cost of mobile
data. According to a recent study, the
average price of mobile data in the US is
nearly twice as high as the OECD average.
According to a StockApps data analysis, StockApps’ financial expert Edith Reads. Whereas Americans pay an average of
Bahrain is leading the world in mobile She adds, “The country has an expansive $61.07 for monthly broadband access, the
internet user penetration. The site has National Broadband Network enabling average for the OECD countries is $37.78.
presented data showing that Bahrain has the provision of affordable high-speed In addition, the US has large areas of rural
a 97.87% mobile internet penetration rate, broadband internet services to people and territory where mobile coverage is spotty
which is the largest globally. “The Bahraini business alike.” at best. The full story and statistics can
government has been investing heavily in Countries Leading In Mobile Internet be found here: Bahrain Leads the World’s
infrastructure and technology, which has Penetration Mobile Internet Adoption With a User
made it easier for people to get online,” says The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the Penetration Rate of 97.87%

Special Telecom Packages Under Job Security System

The Telecommunications Regulatory Au- which includes a 50-per cent discount on 2020, is a national project to provide social
thority (TRA), in cooperation with service the monthly bills and a postponement of protection for citizens whose services are
providers, has provided special facilities the claim for payment of any dues for pre- terminated from work for reasons beyond
to citizens whose services have been ter- vious bills or instalments resulting from for their control. The authority’s efforts in this
minated for reasons beyond their control, six months. No fines will be imposed for field stem from its social responsibility to-
as part of the government’s efforts to pro- cancelling the contract or reducing the sub- wards this category and its regulatory role
vide social protection under the job securi- scription package in any of the available in the field of telecommunications, TRA
ty system. Omantel has provided a special packages. There will also be a cashback on said.
package to its subscribers of this catego- Hayyak packages, which will be valid for 28
ry in both postpaid and prepaid services, days. The job security system, launched in

96 JULY-AUGUST 2022