Custom Consulting

Some of Arab Advisors Group's Custom Research and Consulting Projects in the Arab World

The Arab Advisors Group has completed a number of major consulting projects to date. Our consulting clients included Jordan Telecom, Motorola, Vodafone, Cisco Systems, NASCO – Saudi, AICO - Saudi, Batelco-Jordan, int@j, LINKdotNET, Mirsal, NAFES, PTC – Saudi, NewGen Telecom Company (XPress), Saudi Oger, MTC, Etisalat - UAE, Orascom Telecom, OTE - Greece, investment banking companies, a major regional telecommunication operator as well as venture capital companies.

The Arab Advisors Group is locally present in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) through strategic associations.

Following is a brief description of some of our consulting and custom research engagements:

Qatar Cellular Users Survey 2007
Between May 2007 and June 2007, the Arab Advisors Group conducted a major comprehensive survey of Qatar's cellular users. Arab Advisors Group's major analytical survey of Qatar was scientifically done. The survey involved face to face interviews with 530 respondents from different households across Qatar. Respondents were 15 years old and above, and were cellular service users. This random survey was of the current cellular users in Qatar, and not the total population of the country. Qatar's GSM penetration stood at 109.8% by end of 2006. This survey provided deep insights into the telecom usage patterns in Qatar. The random survey had a 99% confidence level with a less than 6% margin of error. The survey included 130 detailed questions.

Arab Advisors Group divided the survey questionnaire into two main sections: Telecommunications and Media. The sections provided a balanced focus on collecting data.

The major survey probed each household's telecom and media consumption habits and patterns related to Cellular, Internet, Fixed Telephony, VAS, Handsets, Satellite TV, Terrestrial TV and Radio. Respondents lived in Doha (74%) and Al Rayyan (26%). The survey's fieldwork was conducted in May 2007. The survey provided statistical analysis of the results and insightful, detailed cross tabulations.

A Comprehensive Study of the Jordanian Cellular & Data Markets

Between January 2007 and April 2007, the Arab Advisors Group undertook a major study of the Jordanian Cellular and Data markets for a regional operator. The study constituted of supply side and demand side parts. For the supply side research, the Arab Advisors Group conducted research with all relevant governmental and semi governmental bodies to get updated statistics related to the population sizes, businesses including their numbers, economic and business profiles, numbers of employees, households income levels, breakdown, etc. Moreover, the Arab Advisors Group analyzed the current demand for telecommunications services (cellular, fixed and data) in these areas based on interviews and research with the various operating companies in the country (cellular, broadband, ILD, etc.).

A study of the telecom market trends in Bahrain and Jordan

Between January 2007 and March 2007, the Arab Advisors Group undertook an analytical study of the competitive market trends in Bahrain and Jordan . As part of the primary research for this project the Arab Advisors Group conducted research with all relevant stakeholders in each market. These included the regulatory bodies, the operational operators and the licensed operators.

Saudi Arabia Cellular Users Focus Groups Project for a Global Operator
In December 2006, the Arab Advisors Group undertook the full tasks needed for eight focus groups of different consumer segments in Saudi Arabia to test their attitudes towards cellular service in Saudi Arabia . The tasks included recruiting, translation, transcribing, recording and analyzing the feedback in a final project report.

Saudi Arabia Cellular Users Multi Client Survey 2006.
Between October and November 2006, the Arab Advisors Group conducted a major comprehensive survey of cellular users across Saudi Arabia’s main cities. Arab Advisors Group’s major analytical survey of Saudi Arabia’s main cities’ population was scientifically done. The survey involved face to face interviews with 674 respondents from different households in the Western district (Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah), Riyadh City, Dammam and Dharan, selected randomly in a manner proportionate to the estimated population size of the different areas. Respondents were 15 years old and above, and were cellular service users. This random survey is of the current cellular users in Saudi Arabia, and not the total population of the country. Saudi Arabia’s GSM penetration stood at 60.5% by end of 2005. This survey provides deep insights into the telecom usage patterns in Saudi Arabia. The random survey has a 99% confidence level with a less than 5% margin of error. The survey included 130 detailed questions.
The major survey probed each household’s telecom and media consumption habits and patterns related to Cellular, Internet, Fixed Telephony, VAS, Handsets, Satellite TV, Terrestrial TV and Radio. A 164-pages report, which has 217 detailed exhibits, provides the results of the comprehensive survey of Saudi Arabia.

ICONS’ detailed study and survey of West Amman’s Broadband Internet Market.
Commissioned by Jordan-based International Communication Networks Services, LLC, during August and September 2006, the Arab Advisors Group conducted extensive research related to the city of Amman’s broadband Internet market. The study included collecting and analyzing demographic data from relevant governmental and semi governmental bodies on the population sizes, businesses including their numbers, economic and business profiles, numbers of employees, and households’ income levels in the city.

Based on specifications provided by ICONS, the Arab Advisors Group team also designed and conducted a survey of 200 companies and 100 households in Amman. The survey work included conducting the survey, performing the needed quality control and analyzing and cross tabulating the results. The survey relied on face-to-face interviews.

The project’s deliverables included the survey results in MS Excel and a final project presentation in power point format.

Morocco GSM Users Multi Client Survey 2006.
Between April and June 2006, the Arab Advisors Group conducted a major comprehensive survey of GSM users across Morocco. Arab Advisors Group’s major analytical survey of Morocco’s population was scientifically done. The survey involved face to face interviews with 700 respondents from different households in Grand Casablanca, Rabat/Sale, Agadir, Marrakech, Tangir/Tetouan, and Fass, selected randomly in a manner proportionate to the population size of the different areas. Respondents were above 15 years old, and were GSM service users. This random survey is of the current GSM users in Morocco, and not the total population of the country. Morocco’s GSM penetration stood at 40.8% by end of 2005.

A 115-pages report, which has 187 detailed exhibits, provides the results of the comprehensive survey of the GSM services usage patterns and habits of GSM subscribers across Morocco’s areas.

Egypt GSM Users Multi Client Survey 2006.
Between January and February 2006, the Arab Advisors Group conducted a major comprehensive survey of GSM users across Egypt. Arab Advisors Group’s major analytical survey of Egypt’s main cities’ population was scientifically done. The survey involved face to face interviews with 700 Egyptian nationals from different households in Cairo, Alexandria, Delta and Upper Egypt, selected randomly in a manner proportionate to the population size of the different areas. Respondents were above 15 years old and were GSM service users. This random survey is of the current GSM users in Egypt, and not the total population of the country.

The survey sample was geographically distributed as follows: Greater Cairo (42%), Alexandria (15%), Delta (25%) and Upper Egypt (18%). The random survey has a 99% confidence level with a less than 5% margin of error.

A 103-pages report, which has 174 detailed exhibits, provides the results of the comprehensive survey of the GSM services usage patterns and habits of GSM subscribers across Egypt’s areas.

CITC (Saudi Arabia) Qualitative and Quantitative Market Study and Analysis Project.
Between February 2005 and June 2005, the Arab Advisors Group undertook a major project for Saudi Arabia’s telecom regulator, the Communications and Information Technology Commission. The Arab Advisors Group was the project team leader and contractual party with the CITC. Part of the work was done in association with Connexcus Consulting in Lebanon.

The project encompassed major tasks to provide the CITC with a comprehensive Qualitative and Quantitative Market Study and Analysis of the Saudi Arabian telecom and data markets.

The work included full market analysis and research of the supply structure in the Saudi Arabian market in addition to major demand side surveys of residential and corporate users. The survey work included surveying 1037 households across the major urban centers of the Kingdom and 500 businesses in different economic sectors. The team fully analyzed the supply side research and the survey results to provide market projections and a comprehensive market model for the Saudi ICT market. These were fed into a decision-support system to avail the CITC analysis and projections related to different market liberalization scenarios.



Cellular Competitive Moves Analysis for Jawwal - Palestine
Between January and March 2005, the Arab Advisors Group analyzed eight major Arab cellular markets in terms of effect of competition and competitive strategies. The project intended to draw lessons and trends from regional experiences on competition and its effects on the markets. The markets analyzed were Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Kuwait and Yemen.

The analysis of the markets included economic indicators, cellular market metrics before and after competition including subscribes, revenues, ARPUs, traffic, number of packages. The exercise also included an analysis of the competitive moves done by incumbents and new entrants and their effect on the market.

Batelco-Jordan analysis of the Jordanian ICT markets
Between August and October 2004, the Arab Advisors Group was contracted by Batelco – Jordan to undertake a comprehensive study and analysis of the current use of communications services (Fixed, Cellular, Internet and datacomm) and information technology in Jordan. The work included an assessment of the residential and corporate sectors’ future needs and the challenges facing the adoption of advanced communications services these markets.

The project encompassed assessing the demand for the communications services amongst individuals and businesses in Jordan through a primary research and survey-based approach. The project provided a comprehensive report on the communications products and services provided in the Jordanian market as well as the level of usage of these products and services by individuals and businesses in Jordan. The work also included an analysis of the level of satisfaction by individuals and businesses with these products and services. In total 295 households and businesses were surveyed. The results were fully analyzed and cross tabulated by the Arab Advisors teams.

Saudi Arabia Sat TV and Radio Multi-Client Survey
IBetween August and September 2004, the Arab Advisors Group conducted a survey of households in Saudi Arabia that use and view Arabic and Non-Arabic Satellite TV channels. With a sample size of 134 households, the random sample survey has a 95% confidence level with a less than 9% margin of error.

The survey probed the brand name recognition of Sat TV channels in Saudi Arabia as well as the extent to which these channels are viewed. It covered the brand name recognition and viewer ship patterns the general entertainment channels, the music channels, religious programming channels, sports channels and news channels.

The survey covers individuals from different households in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Dhahran. The 119 respondents that are Satellite TV viewers are divided into 67 males and 52 females. The sample is further divided into 93 Saudis and 41 non-Saudi but Arabic Speaking nationals. To mirror the demographic situation fully, the sample also corresponds to the age distribution of the Saudi population. The results and full analysis of the survey can be purchased from the Arab Advisors Group.

Financing needs of Jordanian ICT companies Survey
In May 2004, the Arab Advisors Group built, developed, and conducted an in-depth survey to assess the financial/ investment needs of Jordanian ICT-SME's. The study was commissioned by The Information Technology Association - Jordan (int@j). The objective of this survey assess analyzed the capital/financing needs of IT companies in Jordan, types of required financing, uses of any funds provided, key challenges and obstacles in fulfilling funding needs of companies and current financing options for ICT SME's. The project included in depth face to face interview with 50 ICT companies in Jordan that was fully statically analyzed with relevant cross tabulations by the Arab Advisors Group team.


Saudi GSM Multi-Client Survey
The Arab Advisors Group conduced a major survey of GSM users in Saudi Arabia; this was between the start of May and early June 2004. The major survey of 202 households in Saudi Arabia provides deep insights into the usage pattern in the Arab World's largest GSM market. The random survey, which was concluded on June 4 2004 and has a 99% confidence level with a 9% margin of error.

The survey covered 202 individuals from different households in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Dhahran. The respondents were all GSM users and are divided into 112 males and 88 females. The sample is further divided into 141 Saudis and 61 non-Saudis. To mirror the demographic situation fully, the sample also corresponds to the age distribution of the Saudi population. The survey had 50 detailed questions that address the following matters.

Areas covered in the survey included perceptions of Saudi Telecom services and offers, level of Satisfaction with Saudi Telecom, propensity to use a second GSM operator when one is available in Saudi Arabia, handset choices and brands, features and technologies supported by handsets, handset replacement cycles, use of SMS and Value added services, voice Usage levels, types of packages subscribed to, effective Media channels for consumer choices and information on households of respondents.

The survey report statistically analyzed and cross-tabulated all the questions. The analysis included Arab Advisors Group's insights and expertise on the Saudi Arabian market, the Arab World's largest telecom market. Over 10 major regional and global companies that are interested in the Saudi Arabia market bought the results of the survey.




Vodafone Custom Survey of GSM users in Saudi Arabia
In May and June 2004, the Arab Advisors Group conducted a major survey of GSM users in Saudi Arabia for Vodafone PLC. The major survey covered GSM users across Saudi Arabia’s major cities and population centers. The survey results were fully analyzed and cross-tabulated. Areas covered in the survey included perceptions of Saudi Telecom services and offers, level of Satisfaction with Saudi Telecom, propensity to use a second GSM operator when one is available in Saudi Arabia, handset choices and brands, features and technologies supported by handsets, handset replacement cycles, use of SMS and Value added services, voice Usage levels, types of packages subscribed to, effective Media channels for consumer choices and information on households of respondents.


A study of the Saudi Datacomm and Internet market for Batelco
Between May and June 2004, the Arab Advisors Group was engaged by Batelco to do a major survey and study of the Saudi Internet and Datacomm market. The study encompassed benchmarking the Saudi data communications market with regional and global markets to foresee the potential addressable market for data communications services.

In addition, the Arab Advisors Group, in conjunction with Batelco, developed a comprehensive survey questionnaire to assess the attractiveness and potential demand for datacomm services in the Kingdom. This survey included questions to categorize the potential users of datacomm services by business profile, user profile and service usage patterns as well as to test users reaction to the different service aspects.

The Arab Advisors Group conducted the survey, based on face-to-face and phone interviews, with 140 companies in Saudi Arabia. The sample was selected randomly to fit the geographic and sector distribution of the businesses in Saudi Arabia.

The Arab Advisors Group fully analyzed the survey results and cross-tabulated the results. The deliverables included market positioning advice and forecasts for market growth.

A market entry study for a group of new services by Jordan Radio Paging "Mirsal"
Between November and December 2003, the Arab Advisors Group undertook a detailed market entry study for a slew of new services by Jordan's radio paging operator. The services are based on a new a technology platform that avails services beyond traditional paging.

The Arab Advisors Group analyzed and surveyed the market to offer recommendations on how best to market and promote these new solutions. The project included a full analysis of the potential uses of Mirsal's technology platforms as well as devising sellable solutions of Mirsal's technology platforms and detailing their revenue models. The solutions were tested in the market through a face-to-face survey of a sample of the targeted segments. The Arab Advisors Group fully analyzed the survey results and recommended modifications to the solutions based on the survey and study results.

Business Plan for a prospective GSM handset agency in Iraq
In September 2003, the Arab Advisors Group undertook and completed a business plan for a Kuwait-based company seeking to be a GSM handsets agency in Iraq for a major global GSM vendor. The Arab Advisors Group team capitalized on its knowledge base and databases on the Iraqi and regional GSM markets in order to prepare a comprehensive business plan and market entry strategy. Arab Advisors Group work included availing best practice advice to the prospective agency.

The delivered tasks included a market entry strategy, a marketing plan, the organizational structure as well as a detailed business plan with Demand and Revenue Forecasts, Capital and Expense Estimates, Cash Flows and Economic and Accounting Indicators.

Market segmentation and rates study for New Generation Telecommunications Company in Jordan (XPRESS)
Between March and September 2003, the Arab Advisors Group completed a major market study and analysis project for Jordan’s Radio Trunking licensee, New Generation Telecom Company. This follows on the earlier studies conducted by the Arab Advisors Group whereby a comprehensive study, of the market potential in Jordan as well as the operator’s business plan were completed.

The first phase of the work included the collection and assembly of extensive demographic information on the businesses in the various major economic sectors in Jordan. These included tourism, trade, finance, insurance, real-estate, construction, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, the professionals, and the mass market (residential, students). The data was complied from various reliable sources into one user-friendly electronic database for use by New Generation Telecommunications Company.

The second phase of the project included a major survey a major survey process that encompassed 226 companies, employing over 10% of Jordan’s total workforce, in ten cities across fifteen different sectors and groups in Jordan. To assess the prevailing communications usage patterns in the country. The work included full statistical analysis and cross tabulations of the survey which gave valuable insights on the market segments, their usage patterns and preferences. The Arab Advisors Group analyzed the results in the context of the Jordanian communications sector and gave recommendations accordingly.

Business Plan and market study for a prospective VSAT Service provider in Saudi Arabia
Between April and June 2003, the Arab Advisors Group undertook and completed detailed studies for a prospective VSAT operator in Saudi Arabia. The Arab Advisors Group team capitalized on its knowledge base and databases on VSAT services across the region in order to prepare a comprehensive business plan and market entry strategy. Arab Advisors Group work included availing best practice advice to the prospective operator.

The delivered tasks included a market entry strategy, a marketing plan, the organizational structure as well as a detailed business plan with Demand and Revenue Forecasts, Capital and Expense Estimates, Cash Flows and Economic and Accounting Indicators.

Public Telecommunications Company’s Radio Trunking Study in Saudi Arabia
Between February and April 2003, The Arab Advisors Group undertook a consulting project for the Public Telecommunications Company (PTC) in Saudi Arabia. PTC will setup a nationwide radio trunking system in Saudi Arabia using Motorola’s iDEN technology.

The Arab Advisors Group completed a comprehensive study of the mobile market in Saudi Arabia to quantify the potential for Motorola’s iDEN system for Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR or Radio Trunking) in the country. The Arab Advisors Group also designed and executed a detailed, face-to-face survey of 108 major companies in Saudi to assess the corporate demand. The results of the study were statistically analyzed and cross tabulated and fed into a market model to assist in the forecasts and projections. The Arab Advisors Group presented detailed findings and analysis of the market and projected possible subscriber uptake for five years in the future.

Jordanian SMEs’ Technology Adoption Study
Between December 2002 and February 2003, the Arab Advisors Group conducted a comprehensive study and survey of the technology and Internet adoption amongst small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan.

The National Fund for Enterprise Support (NAFES) provided the bulk of the funding for the study, which was coordinated by the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j). Seven companies and organizations participated in the study and partially financed it. These are Batelco – Jordan, Bidaya Ventures, Global One – Jordan, Jordan Telecom, LINKdotNET, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and STS.

On the supply side, the analysis encompassed the vendors and operators for technology, Internet and software products in the market. On the demand side, the study included conducting extensive interviews with 247 small and medium enterprises across the major economic sectors in the country in Jordan’s four main cities of Amman, Zarqa, Irbid and Aqaba. SMEs were defined as companies employing 5 to 100 people. The sample was randomly selected and proportionately represented the SMEs in the four cities and across the major economic sectors. The economic sectors covered were tourism (restaurants and hotels), trade, finance, insurance, real estate, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture.

Arab Advisors Group analysis was wholly based on a primary research and survey-based approach. The Arab Advisors team provided a comprehensive report on the Internet and datacomm products and services available in the Jordanian market as well as the level of usage of these products and services by Jordanian SMEs.

The project’s deliverables included a report detailing the services and products available in the market, a report analyzing the results and highlighting the major findings, the full survey results (raw data). The deliverables also included an excel sheet with further analysis of the raw data, and a power point presentation.

Jordan Telecom Outsourced Call Center Study
In May 2002, Jordan Telecom commissioned the Arab Advisors Group to conduct a market research study to fully assess the potential for an outsourced call center that Jordan Telecom intends to launch and the regional competitive landscape for outsourced call centers. The study examined nine countries in the region, which are Jordan, Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Cyprus, Morocco, Tunisia and Bahrain.

The Arab Advisors Group presented a detailed profile of the call centers identified and researched by our team, a SWOT analysis of each call center, a summary of the regional situation, and the existing and potential demand for the call center services in the region. The Arab Advisors team worked closely with Jordan Telecom team and managed to survey 245 companies and 23 call centers across the selected region. The Arab Advisors Group analyzed the survey results by our specialized survey package with cross tabs, filters and full statistical analysis.

The project’s deliverables included a report analyzing the results and highlighting the major findings, the full survey results (raw data) for the call centers and the enterprises, an excel sheet with further analysis of the data, and a power point presentation.

Cisco Systems Arab World IT CAPEX Survey
In April 2002, Cisco Systems retained the Arab Advisors Group to conduct a CAPEX survey in the Arab World to have a reliable indication of the allocation of CAPEX budgets across the region and across economic and business sectors. The countries covered included Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, The Arab Maghreb (Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria), The Levant (Jordan, Lebanon and Syria), Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.

The CAPEX survey covered both the service provider and the enterprise markets. Enterprises were targeted with a focus on Government and public sector, Financial, industrial, oil and gas and military. On the service provide side, the survey focused on PSTN operators, GSM operators and major ISPs and Datacomm service providers. The Arab Advisors Team conducted extensive contact with enterprises and service providers across the designated region. The team completed 70 enterprise surveys and 25 service provider surveys with a total count of 95.

The projects deliverables included a report analyzing the results and highlighting the major findings, the full survey results (raw data) for Service Providers and Enterprises, An excel sheet with further analysis of the raw data, and a power point presentation.

AICO and Motorola’s Radio Trunking Study in Jordan
In April 2002, The Arab Advisors Group completed a consulting project for Motorola, NASCO- Saudi Arabia and AICO – Saudi Arabia. The project included a comprehensive study of the mobile market in Jordan to quantify the potential for Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR or Radio Trunking) in Jordan. The work included surveying 90 major companies in the country. The Arab Advisors Group presented detailed findings and analysis of the market and projected possible subscriber uptake for 10 years in the future.

Between July and October 2002, the Arab Advisors Group actively participated in authoring the business plan of the iDEN operator in Jordan whose tentative license was announced in October 2002. The work was done in partnership with Deloitte & Touche. The business plan work included conducting further analysis of the market and regional benchmarking as well as a survey for possible rates and packages and the ARPU level for the new operator.

The study of regional datacommunications markets for a Gulf-based regional player
A major consulting assignment involved delivering a number of reports to gauge the potential Middle East telecommunications markets and to assess the potential for expansion into these markets. The focus involved eight countries. Within each of these markets, the client needed to assess demand from multinational corporations (MNCs), Regional Corporations, National Corporations and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the economic sectors of Banking and Finance, Information Technology, Oil and Gas, Travel, Transport and Tourism, Manufacturing, Construction, Trade and other sectors. The client needed an assessment of the demand for the market for Internet, Messaging, Data communications, Voice and other data services.

The interim deliverables included primary research schedule for each of the markets under study and the format of the semi-structured interviews were put in place as well as an identification of the principal parties and companies to be interviewed to meet the required results. They also included market-based models to capture the results of the research on every market. These modules had built in them fully explained forecasting models, for users, demand, revenues and equipment infrastructure spending.

The final deliverables included a report with a chapter on each market studied. For every country, the Arab Advisors Group included a conclusion on the market potential and recommendation on what sectors are open for investments, their attractiveness, the forecast market size, and practical steps to enter the market (including suggestions on possible local partners). The analysis included what-if scenarios that take into account the possibility of potential changing circumstances and policies in every country.

Other projects
Other consulting projects encompassed a fact collection and analysis report on the potential for Communications and Information Technology investment fund for a venture capital firm, and a report on the SMS and franchised fast food retail industries in the Arab World for an investment banking firm. Moreover, our team has been helping our clients and subscribers collect and analyst market information and trends through the analyst interaction time component of our Strategic Research Service.