As competition heats up and telecom policies shift, the Middle East market is expected to overtake wireless penetration in the Asia-Pacific region by the end of the year. BIS Shrapnel says the Asia-Pacific market's 18% growth last year was mainly driven by a handful of markets. The Middle East, however, which added 20.6 million new subscribers last year, bringing its wireless subscriber base to 62.9 million, shows more promise due to significant government policy shifts and strong economic growth.
Asia Pacific Telecommunications, 2005 to 2010
Middle East Telecommunications, 2005 to 2010
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