New research and analysis from the Arab Advisors Group reveals that Libya has the most expensive cellular connection fees in the Arab World and the highest postpaid minute rates. Lebanon has the highest average prepaid minute rates. The UAE lies on the other extreme with the most affordable average minute rates in the region. While Yemen shares the lowest prices with UAE for average postpaid minute rates.
The Arab Advisors Group has analyzed the cellular rates in the 18 Arab countries of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen. These countries have 34 operational cellular operators and 4 licensed ones expected to start operations soon. In order to allow for comparisons, the report focuses on the average cellular rates of these countries’ thirty-four cellular providers.
Commenting on the results, Jawad Abbassi, Arab Advisors Founder and President said: “It is a bit of a paradox that the lowest average rates are in the monopoly market of the UAE. This indicates a savvy marketing approach of the operator there, which consistently provides good value in order to secure its position in its home market. Still, the story across the region is of falling rates and prices. This underlines the need for all operators to concentrate on non-voice services and traffic in order to enhance and maintain their revenue levels while also providing better value for money for the end users.”
