IT & Telecoms
From The Report: Jordan 2012
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Well-educated IT graduates and low operational costs mean that Jordan is emerging as a key regional IT centre. Indeed, part of the country’s appeal for foreign ICT firms looking to relocate is its workforce, which tends to relatively inexpensive. Moreover, driven by new technologies, rapidly rising domestic internet penetration is boosting the segment. In 2011 a rapid uptake of mobile broadband helped contribute to a significant increase in access to the internet. Information and communications technology has, in turn, become a key element of the economy, accounting for 14% of GDP. Going forward, planned regulatory changes are set to boost the domestic market as the kingdom cements its reputation as a regional centre for content and software development.
This chapter includes interviews with Basem Rousan, Minister of Information and Communications Technology; Abdelmajeed Shamlawi, CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan; Usama Fayyad, Executive Chairman of OASIS 500; and John Chambers, Chairman and CEO of Cisco.
Articles from this Chapter
Programing potential: Rising penetration levels spur new focus on the sector
Programing potential: Rising penetration levels spur new focus on the sectorOBGplus
With a stable business climate, low operating costs and a highly skilled population, Jordan is emerging as a regional centre for information and communications technology (ICT). Driven by new technologies, rapidly rising domestic internet penetration is also boosting the industry, which is playing and increasingly important role in the economy, accounting for some 14% of GDP, according to the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j), which represents 220 member…
A central server: The country is becoming a base for regional operationsOBGplus
Many of the world’s major software and hardware IT companies, including Cisco, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle and Samsung, are present in Jordan. In addition to targeting the local market, a number of these firms use the kingdom as their regional centre. For example, Oracle’s regional office for the Middle East and Africa, as well as Central and Eastern Europe, is located in Jordan. The company undertakes a variety of activities from its Amman office, including pre-sales,…
A central server: The country is becoming a base for regional operationsOBGplus
Many of the world’s major software and hardware IT companies, including Cisco, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle and Samsung, are present in Jordan. In addition to targeting the local market, a number of these firms use the kingdom as their regional centre. For example, Oracle’s regional office for the Middle East and Africa, as well as Central and Eastern Europe, is located in Jordan. The company undertakes a variety of activities from its Amman office, including pre-sales,…
Encouraging entrepreneurship: OBG talks to Basem Rousan, Former Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)OBGplus
Interview: Basem Rousan How has funding affected the ICT sector recently? BASEM ROUSAN: Due to budgetary constraints, government spending on ICT has dropped considerably. This has had a negative impact on local ICT companies by reducing the number of available government contracts and tenders, which are important given the small size of the domestic market. Moreover, due to the slowdown in regional markets, and in the Gulf in particular, ICT enterprises in Jordan have seen fewer business opportunities…
Encouraging entrepreneurship: OBG talks to Basem Rousan, Former Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)OBGplus
Interview: Basem Rousan How has funding affected the ICT sector recently? BASEM ROUSAN: Due to budgetary constraints, government spending on ICT has dropped considerably. This has had a negative impact on local ICT companies by reducing the number of available government contracts and tenders, which are important given the small size of the domestic market. Moreover, due to the slowdown in regional markets, and in the Gulf in particular, ICT enterprises in Jordan have seen fewer business opportunities…
OBG talks to Abdelmajeed Shamlawi, CEO, Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j)OBGplus
Interview: Abdelmajeed Shamlawi How active are Jordanian ICT workers and companies throughout the Middle East? ABDELMAJEED SHAMLAWI: Around 5000 ICT students graduate from Jordan’s university system each year, which, given the small size of the local economy, means the market has an excess supply of workers. In total, each year roughly 1500 graduates become employed in the private ICT sector and about 1500 go into other sectors and the public sector in ICT-related jobs, while some 2000 are either…
Mutual gains: The industry is looking to increase specialisationOBGplus
Financial services are emerging as both a key market for Jordan’s IT sector and an important product line in the form of e-payment software and services. The financial industry is one of the most important buyers of Jordanian IT services, and one of the sector’s fastest-growing vertical niches, with opportunities existing in the general hardware and software segments as well as specialised services, such as compliance and credit risk management packages. A number of companies, including…
Mutual gains: The industry is looking to increase specialisationOBGplus
Financial services are emerging as both a key market for Jordan’s IT sector and an important product line in the form of e-payment software and services. The financial industry is one of the most important buyers of Jordanian IT services, and one of the sector’s fastest-growing vertical niches, with opportunities existing in the general hardware and software segments as well as specialised services, such as compliance and credit risk management packages. A number of companies, including…
OBG talks to Usama Fayyad, Executive Chairman, OASIS 500OBGplus
Interview: Usama Fayyad How has information and communications technology (ICT) helped reduce unemployment in Jordan? USAMA FAYYAD: The kingdom’s ICT sector, which accounts for 1.25% of total employment and 14.1% of GDP, is one of the country’s main economic pillars and employment source for middle-class professionals. Compensation for a high-value job in the ICT sector is generally more than five times higher than compensation for positions of similar importance in other industries. In addition…
OBG talks to Usama Fayyad, Executive Chairman, OASIS 500OBGplus
Interview: Usama Fayyad How has information and communications technology (ICT) helped reduce unemployment in Jordan? USAMA FAYYAD: The kingdom’s ICT sector, which accounts for 1.25% of total employment and 14.1% of GDP, is one of the country’s main economic pillars and employment source for middle-class professionals. Compensation for a high-value job in the ICT sector is generally more than five times higher than compensation for positions of similar importance in other industries. In addition…
OBG talks to John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, CiscoOBGplus
Interview: John Chambers What business segments typically have the highest demand for ICT solutions in emerging markets? JOHN CHAMBERS: Just like the rest of the world, we are witnessing a strong demand for ICT solutions across all business segments in emerging markets. There is not one niche or industry that stands out from another. This is primarily because intelligent and innovative use of technology is increasing productivity, reducing overall costs and helping to transform businesses irrespective…
OBG talks to John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, CiscoOBGplus
Interview: John Chambers What business segments typically have the highest demand for ICT solutions in emerging markets? JOHN CHAMBERS: Just like the rest of the world, we are witnessing a strong demand for ICT solutions across all business segments in emerging markets. There is not one niche or industry that stands out from another. This is primarily because intelligent and innovative use of technology is increasing productivity, reducing overall costs and helping to transform businesses irrespective…
Training initiatives: A new focus on human resources as the sector expandsOBGplus
The calibre of Jordan’s human resources is a key factor behind its emergence as a regional IT centre, but the sector faces challenges on the labour front, including the need to ensure that the country’s universities continue to produce graduates up to speed with the latest technology. The government and the private sector are undertaking a range of initiatives and partnerships at all levels of education to address the issue. One of Jordan’s most commonly cited competitive advantages…
Training initiatives: A new focus on human resources as the sector expandsOBGplus
The calibre of Jordan’s human resources is a key factor behind its emergence as a regional IT centre, but the sector faces challenges on the labour front, including the need to ensure that the country’s universities continue to produce graduates up to speed with the latest technology. The government and the private sector are undertaking a range of initiatives and partnerships at all levels of education to address the issue. One of Jordan’s most commonly cited competitive advantages…
The right call: Mobile remains a sector highlight, while 3G access boosts demandOBGplus
The telecoms market in Jordan benefits from being largely liberalised and highly competitive, particularly in the mobile sector, which dominates the voice and internet segments in terms of subscriptions. In the early days of mobile phone technology Jordan was something of a pioneer, but fell slightly behind on the implementation of 3G. However, by the end of 2012 all three operators will offer advanced forms of the service, with one committed to launching an LTE/4G LTE service within three years.…
The right call: Mobile remains a sector highlight, while 3G access boosts demandOBGplus
The telecoms market in Jordan benefits from being largely liberalised and highly competitive, particularly in the mobile sector, which dominates the voice and internet segments in terms of subscriptions. In the early days of mobile phone technology Jordan was something of a pioneer, but fell slightly behind on the implementation of 3G. However, by the end of 2012 all three operators will offer advanced forms of the service, with one committed to launching an LTE/4G LTE service within three years.…
The next generation: Introducing new data technology has resulted in several changesOBGplus
In March 2010 Orange became the first operator to launch a 3G mobile service in Jordan, having acquired a 15-year licence – including a one-year exclusivity deal – the previous year. Zain joined Orange with the launch of its mobile broadband service in March 2011, with a network that uses HSPA+-based infrastructure. Then in January 2012 Jordan’s third full mobile operator, Umniah, said it intended to launch its mobile broadband service before the end of September, also using HSPA+ technology.…
The next generation: Introducing new data technology has resulted in several changesOBGplus
In March 2010 Orange became the first operator to launch a 3G mobile service in Jordan, having acquired a 15-year licence – including a one-year exclusivity deal – the previous year. Zain joined Orange with the launch of its mobile broadband service in March 2011, with a network that uses HSPA+-based infrastructure. Then in January 2012 Jordan’s third full mobile operator, Umniah, said it intended to launch its mobile broadband service before the end of September, also using HSPA+ technology.…
