The convergence between expanding community of mobile phone users and Internet users in the Middle East is set to grow dramatically according to the projections of Info2cell.com, a regional wireless information service provider.
The company estimates that this convergence would record a sharp rise from the current 25 per cent to over 75 percent by the year 2005, with the mobile phone owning population gradually outpacing television and PC owners.
In recent years, the Middle East has seen a dramatic increase in the number of mobile phone users. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) alone, there are estimated to be around 2.3 million mobile phone users, which constitute 65 percent of the total population. The mobile phone market in the Middle East is also growing at an annual rate of between 20 and 25 percent. Globally, mobile phone subscribers are projected to reach one billion in 2003.
Info2cell.com was established in 1998 to fulfill the need for wireless value added services. In 2000, the company re-engineered and redesigned its core business, to become effectively the first Wireless Application Service Provider (W-ASP) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The content provision model was also revamped with the addition of many content providers and channels. Info2cell draws on the experience of the Italian Acotel group in its service offering.
The company headquarters are now located in the heart of the Middle-East technology hub at Dubai Internet City (DIC). The primary Development Center is in Amman Jordan, and editorial offices are located in Amman, Beirut, Cairo and Ramallah. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
