Qatar's Internet access services market to exceed US$ 29 million by 2006.

A newly released report from the Arab Advisors Group fully analyzes the Internet and Datacomm Market in Qatar.

October 20, 2002 -

Q-Tel solely provides Internet and Datacomm services to the country. Internet Qatar is one of Qatar Telecom's divisions, which started operations in July 1996 to serve businesses and consumers by providing Internet and data communications services and solutions.

A new report, "Qatar Internet & Datacomm Landscape Report 2002" was released to the Arab Advisors Group's (www.arabadvisors.com) Strategic Research Service subscribers on October, 2002. The report shows that the telecommunications sector in Qatar will be an attractive potential market for interested parties especially on the GSM and Internet & datacomm services front. Nonetheless, Q-Tel's datacomm infrastructure is small and datacomm services in Qatar are limited by the small size of the market.

"Internet usage in Qatar has reached a somewhat high level. Demand is strong and the service is affordable by virtually all segments of the population. By end of 2001, Internet accounts reached 13,449, a 2.2% penetration rate while users' penetration exceeded 4.96%." Arab Advisors Group's analyst, Sami Sunna' wrote in the report.

"Due to the monopoly status of the Internet and datacomm market in Qatar, the Internet access charges are quite high by regional standards, which result in high total revenues. Qatar's Internet monthly ARPU stood at around US$ 118 in 2001, translating into total annual revenues of more than US$ 17.1 million. By end of 2006, we expect Internet monthly ARPU to reach US$ 40, translating into total annual revenues of close to US$ 29.1 million." Mr. Sunna' added.

Continuing its "profitable monopoly" performance since 1998, Q-Tel reported total net profits of US$ 74 million and US$ 68.5 million for the first and second quarters of 2002, respectively. When compared with the net profits of the first two quarters in 2001, one can see that Q-Tel has been doing well, with growth rates of 24.7% and 12.6%, respectively.

The 38-pages report with more than 40 Exhibits, makes available the information on the Qatari Internet and Datacomm market's regulation, operators, internet rates reductions and prepaid internet cards internet growth and revenues. Moreover, the report covers the country Content players and the E-commerce and financial services.

The Arab Advisors Group's team of analysts in the region has already produced more than 120 reports on the Arab World's communications and Internet markets. The reports can be purchased individually or received through an annual subscription to Arab Advisors Group's (www.arabadvisors.com) Strategic Research Service. To date, Arab Advisors Group has served more than 60 global and regional companies by providing reliable research analysis and forecasts of Arab communications and Internet markets to these clients.