The third generation of mobile phone specifications and technology (3G) remains a luxury rather than a standard for most countries in the Middle East despite its seven years of existence and the emergence of 3.5G, said a top official, GN reported.
"In the Middle East, not enough suitable content for 3G services are available, mainly because purchase of high-end, 3G-enabled mobile phones in the region is only at 25 per cent," Bashar Dahabra, Founder and CEO of Info2cell.com, said.
He said 3G was initially marketed as a video conferencing tool but has gained more popularity in other applications such as music downloading, multiplayer gaming, online chat, positioning services and live business updates.
Today's 3G networks are capable of supporting real-time data services, thus easily facilitating broadband services such as web video streaming, fax transmission and reception and e-mail downloading, even with attachments.
"The current penetration of the 3G mobile is at a minimal one per cent, so the maximum predicted penetration for 3G mobile services is at 25 per cent of total Middle Eastern users," he said.
Mobile phone users continue to be attracted to 3G's impressive wide-area wireless voice telephony, video call and broadband wireless data capabilities, provided at commercial data transmission speeds of up to 3.6 mbps.
He said various telecommunications service pro-viders are implementing various initiatives to improve the situation, especially because the Middle East's information and communications technology sector is one of the fastest growing in the world.
"Regional mobile services providers will have to determine how much technology and content Middle Eastern subscribers will be willing to pay for. They will also have to address competition from other emerging high-speed wireless technologies such as mobile WiMAX and the ability to roam across various kinds of wireless network." he said..
"Info2cell.com will spearhead efforts to make the Middle East a leading global user of 3G technologies and help the region transition into higher-end mobile communications," Dahabra said.
According to RNCOS research report, the total number of 3G subscribers in the Middle East is expected to surpass four million by 2010 end, growing at an annual growth rate of around 60 per cent.