Executive summary
Deployment of Jordan’s NBN continues in 2016Positive developments are occurring for both Jordan’s fixed and mobile broadband sectors in 2016. The deployment of the national broadband network continues with the project now focusing on connecting the Northern governates via public facilities and there are plans to conduct a further tender for the second phase of the project in the near future. Funding for the NBN has been assisted by a Gulf Co-operation Council grant.
Internet access has been available in Jordan since 1996. Unlike many Arab countries, the Jordanian government has a relatively liberal attitude towards Internet access. Broadband represents the majority of subscriptions and competition is predominantly infrastructure based, with DSL, WiMAX and mobile the most popular platforms.
Mobile broadband in recent years has grown rapidly in terms of subscriptions, preceded by the launch of 3G/HSPA services. 4G LTE services became available in February 2015 when Zain Jordan began offering a number of priced bundles which utilize the network based on over 1,000 sites around the kingdom.
Orange Jordan was awarded a 4G license in early 2015 and launched 4G LTE in mid 2015; followed by Umniah which also began offering services in 2016. Development of 4G in Jordan is growing strongly with an estimated penetration of around 11-14% in 2016, according to Orange Jordan’s Deputy CEO. By 2020 4G penetration could reach as much as 70%.
Jordan possesses a high smart phone penetration of over 60% and the majority of users access OTT messaging apps via these devices. This has led to declining SMS revenues in recent years, similar to trends witnessed worldwide.
While Jordan is demonstrating positive developments towards fixed and mobile broadband development, it has some challenges including the ongoing influx of refugees from Iraq and Syria which places strain on the countries’ economy, infrastructure and society in general.
While Jordan also has a thriving ICT industry; the lack of a large market means entrepreneurs which establish tech start-ups in Jordan often target their products and services to the wealthy Gulf Region countries. Other challenges the Jordanian start-ups face is the lack of skilled talent, with wealthier markets in the region attracting Jordan’s technical talent.
Key telecom parameters – 2013; 2016
Sector20132016
Subscribers to telecoms services (million): (e)
Internet users5.305.95
Fixed-line telephony0.380.35
Mobile phone10.3114.20
(Source: BuddeComm based on industry data)
Key developments:
In order to increase service centres, in March 2016 Orange Jordan signed a strategic co-operation agreement with Jordan Post allowing it to provide telecom services support via its post offices. In return, Orange Jordan will provide Jordan Post with various business solutions.
In February 2016 the government announced it would begin work connecting the Northern governates to the national broadband network, beginning with the public facilities.
In 2015 Umniah announced it was investing $US 500 million through to 2017 on building its 4G network. It began offering 4G services in March 2016 under the name “evo 4G” and at the same time launched LTE fixed network services.
3G penetration is already over 70% in Jordan.
Android devices are particularly popular in Jordan.
The second-hand smart phone market in Jordan is very strong and has enabled a broader demographic to own such devices.Companies mentioned in this report:
Jordan Telecom Group/Orange, Zain Jordan, Batelco/Umniah, Virgin Mobile MEA.
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1. Executive summary
2. Key statistics
2.1 Country overview
3. Telecommunications market
3.1 Recent developments
3.2 Historical overview
3.3 Market analysis
4. Regulatory environment
4.1 Historic overview
4.1.1 Telecommunications Law 1995
4.1.2 Telecommunications Law 2002
4.2 Regulatory authority
4.3 Telecom sector liberalisation
4.3.1 WiMAX licences
4.4 Privatisation
4.5 Interconnect
4.6 Access
4.7 Carrier PreSelection (CPS)
5. Fixed-network operators
5.1 Jordan Telecom Group/JTG/Orange Jordan
6. Telecommunications infrastructure
6.1 National telecom network
6.1.1 National Telecommunication Program 1995-1999
6.2 International infrastructure
6.3 Broadband access market
6.3.1 Market analysis
6.3.2 Broadband statistics
6.4 Forecasts – broadband subscribers
6.4.1 Scenario 1 – higher growth
6.4.2 Scenario 2 – lower growth
6.5 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks
6.6 Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) and Fibre-To-The-Home (FttH)
6.7 Other fixed broadband services
6.7.1 Fixed wireless (WiFi and WiMAX)
6.8 Competition issues
6.8.1 ISP market
7. Digital economy/digital media
7.1 Overview
7.2 E-Commerce
7.3 E-payment
7.4 E-education
7.5 E-health
7.6 E-government
7.7 Big Data
8. Digital Media
8.1 Videostreaming
8.2 Social networking
8.3 Online and mobile gaming
8.4 Newspaper and book publishers
9. Smart city
9.1 Smart grids
10. Mobile communications
10.1 Market analysis
10.2 Mobile statistics
10.2.1 General statistics
10.3 Mobile broadband statistics
10.4 Regulatory issues
10.4.1 Third GSM licence
10.4.2 3G licences
10.4.3 4G spectrum
10.4.4 SIM card registration
10.4.5 MTRs
10.5 Mobile infrastructure
10.5.1 Digital networks
10.5.2 Satellite mobile
10.6 IoT and M2M networks
10.7 Major mobile operators
10.7.1 Operators
10.7.2 Zain Jordan
10.7.3 Orange Jordan
10.7.4 Umniah
10.7.5 MVNOs
10.8 Mobile content and applications
10.8.1 m-commerce
10.8.2 m-banking (payments/loans)
10.9 Mobile handsets
11. Related reports
Table 1 – Country statistics – Jordan - 2015
Table 2 – Telephone network statistics – 2015
Table 3 – Broadband statistics – 2015
Table 4 – Mobile statistics – 2015
Table 5 – National telecommunications authorities
Table 6 – GDP growth and inflation – 2006 - 2016
Table 7 – Jordan Telecom Group profit and revenue by sector – 2004 - 2014
Table 8 – Jordan Telecom Group divisional subscribers – 2005 - 2014
Table 9 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1995 - 2016
Table 10 – Internet users and penetration rate – 1995 - 2016
Table 11 – Internet subscribers and penetration rate – 1999 - 2016
Table 12 – Internet subscribers by access method – 2015
Table 13 – Forecast broadband subscribers – higher market growth scenario – 2016; 2018; 2022
Table 14 – Forecast broadband subscribers – lower market growth scenario – 2016; 2018; 2022
Table 15 – DSL subscribers - 2001 - 2015
Table 16 - Facebook Stats for Jordan compared to other Middle Eastern countries as at July 2015
Table 17 – Historic - Mobile subscribers and penetration rate - 1995 - 2004
Table 18 – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2005 – 2016
Table 19 – Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change – 2015
Table 20 – Major mobile operators’ market share – 2004 – 2015
Table 21 – Active mobile broadband subscriptions – 2010 – 2015
Table 22 – Mobile Termination Rates – 2010 - 2014
Table 23 – Zain Jordan financial data (including ARPU) – 2005 – 2015
Table 24 – Zain Jordan prepaid/postpaid mobile subscribers – 2005 - 2015
Table 25 – Orange Jordan – revenue, ARPU, and subscribers – 2006 - 2014
Table 26 – Umniah – subscribers – 2008 - 2015
Chart 1 – Mobile operators’ market share at a glance - 2015
Exhibit 1 – Jabbar Internet Group
