Fixed line subscribers in Arab world drop 4.6 per cent

Fixed line subscribers across 15 Arab countries declined 4.6 per cent over nine months, from 29.2 million at the end of December 2008, to 27.8 million as of the end of September 2009, according to a report by Arab Advisors. The report analysed 20 fixed line providers operating across 15 Arab markets.

Telecom Egypt is the largest fixed line operator with 9.631 million subscribers, followed by Saudi Arabia’s STC with 4.169 million. The third largest was Syrian Telecom (STE).

The UAE recorded the highest fixed line penetration rate amongst the surveyed countries, followed by Lebanon.