The Internet continues to make inroads into the Arab world as the number of users rises. The establishment of local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), development of Arabic language web browsers and computer software, as well as increased consumer demand have helped to drive growth of the World Wide Web (WWW). This paper will examine the countries of the Arab league and look at the current status of the Internet in each. As technology and software continue to flow to the region, local consumers, business interests and regional governments are playing a key role in the drive to make the Internet prosper or wither. In those countries where the government maintains control over the telecommunications sector there is clearly more opportunity for government to affect development in a positive or negative manner. Local users and businesses can also play a part in this development. Religious and social issues play as much a part as political issues in the spread of this new technology.

After a tedious introduction to the region as a whole, the Internet is now growing at rates comprable to those of countries with larger user bases and a longer history of Internet use.

Egypt, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates can be considered the veterans of the group, establishing their local ISPs in the early 90's. Other countries have followed suit over the past five years. Today most members of the Arab league have established local ISPs (Comoros, Djibouti, Iraq, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria -- for economic or political reasons, or both, still have no local Internet nodes; Saudi Arabia restricts local access to Universities and some governmental offices; Palestinians connect through Israel). While some of these countries have set up monitoring or filtering programs, others have simply laid out ground rules and provided general access. In Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, the web is generally available to any interested party via a paid subscription to the local service. In those countries that still lack local access users may dial long distance to a neighboring country or even to Europe. Several of the Gulf ISPs estimate that as much as 25% of their audience comes from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

One indicator of internet use is the survey performed by Network Wizards. The Domain Survey (http://www.nw.com/zone/WWW/top.html) attempts to discover every host on the Internet by doing a complete search of the Domain Name System. The number of hosts identified by country identifiers from the Arab League rose from 2797 in January of 1996 to 11209 in July of 1997. This increase of 300% is almost three times the rate for all hosts during the same period (an increase of 106%). The following chart shows the growth in hosts by country over the past three years.

Just a few years ago the majority of Arabic speakers were without access to the Internet, hence little demand for such pages. Compounding the problem, Arabic text had to be rendered as graphics, creating extremely slow to load pages. Over the past several years both Microsoft and Sakhr Software have been working to remedy this problem. The May release of Arabic Office 97 by Microsoft and the continuing development of the Sindbad browser by Sakhr have made surfing the net in Arabic a reality. At the moment there are few sites totally in Arabic, but recent developments should change this situation. "Microsoft believes that the Middle East region has one of the greatest potentials for internet demand," states Andy Abbar, Group Program Manager for Microsoft's Middle East Product Development Group. While internet use in the region is one the rise, "Microsoft's goal is to ensure that language, i.e. Arabic, is not the barrier for expanding the internet to the Arab world," he says. To support this goal, Microsoft has provided free of charge Microsoft Word Internet Assistant, which enables users to publish webpages in the Arabic language. These developments should help open the Internet to an increasing number of users.

Access costs remain high in the region and still act as a deterrent to a segment of potential users. Recent reductions in price due to new competitors or efforts to attract new users have made the Internet more accessible and resulted more online accounts.

The bandwidth problem effects the Arab world just as it effects the more developed Internet sectors of the West. As the initial bandwidth in the region was much smaller to begin with, as more users come online there are some severe limitations in speed of connection and transmission of data. Many Arab league countries have been working to upgrade telecommunciations structures, and the Internet will need to be factored in as this process continues. Several countries, most notably the United Arab Emirates, have been evaluating the feasibility of setting up new technology which could support bandwidth growth (see UAE section).

Recent figures for U.S. exports of computer equipment to the region are on the rise. U.S. Department of Commerce leading sectors for exports reports list computer equipment as a top candidate in over half the countries under examination. This equipment will make it possible for more users to be connected to the internet.

The following country overviews highlight trends and the current status of each indigeneous Internet industry. Information for these sections was obtained directly from ISPs in each country and supplemented by a few written articles. The list of sites is limited to those which provide local access, government information, and internet related companies. Links to more commercial oriented sites can be found by visiting these sites and following links or performing searches.

The Algerian Internet community has been growing slowly. The ongoing political turmoil has clearly had a negative effect on the development of local Internet development. The current market for computers and peripherals, however, is very large.

According to a National Trade Data Bank report, demand is estimated at some $200 million, about three times the amount of estimated average annual imports, and only lack of Algerian Dinars to cover the hard currency cost of purchases hampers import growth.(Leading opportunities for exports to Algeria, NTDB, September 97).

Figures provided by the local ISP, CERIST, put the number of Internet users at about 2,000.

www.cerist.dz

Centre de Recherche sur l'Information Scientifique & Technique

Bahrain's consumers have increasingly developed their Internet presence since going online in 1995, with more than 80 company webpages as of mid-1997. Some companies shop internationally for their webpage design, although more frequently local IT consultants are providing services.

The local ISP has been enjoying an increasing consumer base, and this has boosted shop sales of hardware and software as well as enhancing the environment for consumer applications and specialist services. Figures provided by the local ISP put the number of users at 6500.

www.batelco.com.bh

Batelco inet

http://www.gcc.com.bh/

GCC Online

http://www.uob.bh/

University of Bahrain

http://reem.com

Bahrain's premier Web Solution Provider

http://www.alayam.com

Al Ayyam Bahraini Newspaper

http://www.bpmb.com/

Bahrain Promotions & Marketing Board

None currently

None currently

The Internet services started in Egypt in October 1993 via a 9.6K link between the Egyptian Universities Network and the Cabinet Information & Decision Support Center (IDSC) and France carrying the Bitnet as well as the Internet traffic. The user community was estimated by that time with about 2000 - 3000 users. Egypt Telecom: the Arab Republic of Egypt National Telecommunication Organization.(ARENTO) is providing the basic infrastructure.

In 1994, the Egyptian domain split into four major subdomains: 1)the Egyptian Universities Networks (acacemic subdomain .eun) provides the services for the universities and schools; 2) subdomain .sci serves the scientific research institutes at the Academy of Scientific Research via Enstinet as well as other research centers like the National Telecommunication Institute; 3)the governmental domain receives service via IDSC (Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center) for the governmental authorities and organizations; and 4) the commercial domain receives service via RITSEC for the private sector and individuals.

Beginning in November of 1995, IDSC/RITSEC started to provide connectivity to private service providers under the .com.eg domain. Some providers have their connectivity through other international gateways.

The government has remained involved in all phases of the process; represented by IDSC/RITSEC and Egypt Telecom an initiative has begun for the development of an internet backbone and gateway facility with reasonable prices to be used by the private sector ISP.

The Internet Society of Egypt is appreciative of the governmental role, noting on their webpage:

The Egyptian Internet community remains one of the largest and most vital to the region. Companies like Sakhr software have been at the forefront, developing Internet applications in Arabic. While the majority of current WWW sites are in English, new developments with Arabic based Web browsers should help fuel the growth of Arabic websites.

As one of the earliest Arab countries to go online, Egypt quickly realized the enormous potential of this new tool. Current estimates put the number of Egyptians online at over 25,000. Websites cover a wide spectrum from small to large businesses; government departments; international organizations; and academia.

There are over 15 operational Egyptian ISPs in Cairo, Alexandria, Sinai and the Red Sea area providing basic internet services for businesses and the individual users.

www.starnet.com.eg

St@rnet

www.soficom.com.eg

Soficom

www.nor-net.net

Nor-Net

www.link.com.eg

Link Egypt

www.egypt.com

Egypt.Com

www.EgyptWeb.com

Egypt Web

www.dataxprs.com.eg

Data Express

www.cyberegypt.com

Cyber Egypt

www.ritsec.com.eg

Regional Information Technology & Software Engineering Center

http://www.alexnet.com.eg/

AlexNet

www.datum.com.eg

Datum business

http://www.eis.com.eg/

Egyptian Internet Services

http://brainy1.ie-eg.com/

Internet Egypt

http://www.intouch.com/

In Touch

http://www.pacc.com.eg/

PACC

http://www.rite.com/

Regional Information Technology Enterprise

http://www.wayout.net/waymain.html

The Way Out

http://www.bec-online.com/

Bec-Online

http://www.egyptonline.com/

Egypt Online

http://www.sti.sci.eg/

Egyptian National STI Network

http://frcudb.eun.eg

Egyptian Universities Network (EUN)

http://www.gega.net/

Gega Net

http://www.adonweb.com/business/icom.html

ICOM

http://www.iec.egnet.net/

International Electronics Center (IEC)

http://www.infinity.com.eg/

Infinity

http://www.instinct.net/

Instinct

http://www.ie-eg.com/

Internet Alexandria

http://163.121.10.41/

Information Technology Specialists

http://www.ncr.com.eg

NCR

http://www.tecmina.com.eg/

Technomina

http://www.wtca.org/wtc/cairo.html

World Trade Center Cairo

http://www.egyptianstocks.com/

Egyptian Stock Exchange Information

http://www.amcham.org.eg/

American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt

http://www.sis.gov.eg/

Egypt State Information Service

http://www.assembly.gov.eg/

People's Assembly (Arab Republic of Egypt)

http://www.tahrir.net/Al-Gomhuria/Algomhuria.html

Al-Gomhuria Newspaper

http://www.tahrir.net/Al-Messa/Almessa.html

Al-Messa Newspaper

http://www.tahrir.net"

Dar Al-Tahrir Publishing & Printing

None currently

King Hussein has helped to establish one of the most open Internet environments in the region, and Jordan has established itself as one of the regional centers for Internet related industry. ISPs, Web developers, and a growing number of local sites have put Jordan on the map as one of the key players among the Arab world. With its proximity to other countries that are just beginning to approach the Net there are opportunities for Jordanian companies to grow.

Jordan's approach to the Net has been noted by others, especially with regard to its relatively open playing field. The government has created an environment for Internet related activities to flourish.

Global One was the first ISP licensed in the Kingdom just over a year ago. In that time they have signed on almost 5,000 users from large businesses to individuals. Recently two more companies have begun to provide Internet access, and there are plans for more to join the ranks of ISPs. Jordan's approach appears to be working, as Internet developers in the Kingdom continue to proliferate.

There are certainly some restrictions to Internet use. While Jordan is among the most democratic countries in the Arab world, criticizing the king remains illegal. However, the government does participate in online forums, like "Ask the Government", which allows subscribers to address questions directly to the prime minister’s office. This is certainly an unprecedented opportunity for users to query officials on issues as conventional as water policty and as controversial as governmental corruption. While posing a question doesn't necessarily mean the government will respond, Jordan has helped to foster an environment that is nurturing the Internet and is providing a range of new opportunities for Jordanians.

Egypt, Kuwait, and a handful of other Arab countries are wired to the net, but their regimes fight to keep tight controls on access; in Jordan, Juma says, the government will not interfere. Instead, King Hussein, at Jordan’s helm for decades, appears to be opting to accept the new technology, rather than try to repress it.

www.index.com.jo

International Data Exchange

www.go.com.jo

Sprint Global One Jordan

www.nets.com.jo

National Equipment & Technical Services (NETS)

http://petra.nic.gov.jo/

http://www.xroadsme.com/wtcnn/

http://www.xroadsme.com/jta/

http://www.arabia.com/Addustour/

http://accessme.com/Petra/

http://www.ju.edu.jo

http://netra.nic.gov.jo

National Information Center in Amman

http://www.amman.edu

Amman University

http://www.bocme.com

Arab Business Network

The Kuwaiti Internet market seems to be a prime area for development due to recent upgrades to the telecommunications sector as part of the reconstruction after the Gulf War. Most major American computer firms are present in the Kuwait market and possess about 90 percent of the total imports of mainframes, minicomputers, microcomputers and data communications equipment. Internet development has been a part of the strategy.

Efforts to obtain figures directly from the local Kuwaiti ISPs and the Ministry of Communications received no reply. There are ( ) estimated users in Kuwait.

www.ncc.moc.kw

State of Kuwait Ministry of Communications

http://www.kuwait.net/

Gulfnet Kuwait

http://ole.com.kw/

Kuwait Internet Café

http://netcafe.moc.kw/

Salmiya Internet Café

http://www.kia.gov.kw/

Kuwait Investment Authority

http://www.kisr.edu.kw/

Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

http://www.paaet.edu.kw/Info/paaet.html

The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

Paralleling the rapid reconstruction of the country as a whole, the Internet sector in Lebanon has also witnessed rapid growth since the establishment of the first ISP in 1993. Currently there are at least seven ISPs with an estimated 17,000 users around the country. A wide variety of local businesses have gone online, from bakeries to ski resorts to universities. The business community and local chambers of commerce are acting as driving forces, as evidenced by a recent article on Information Technology in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Beiruts' magazine, The Lebanese and Arab Economy.

http://www.sodetel.net.lb/

Sodetel

http://www.dm.net.lb/

DM-Net

http://www.destination.com.lb/

Destination.Com

http://www2.inco.com.lb/

IncoNet/Nethopper

http://www.cyberia.net.lb/

Cyberia

http://www.t-net.com.lb/

Data Net

www.bignet.com.lb/

BIGnet

http://www.wtca.org/wtc/beirut.html

World Trade Center Beirut

http://www.idaL.com.lb/

Investment Development Authority of Lebanon

http://www.future.com.lb

Future Television Station Listings

http://www.dm.net.lb/hitek

Hi Tek Magazine

None currently

www.open.net.ma

Groupe Open

http://www.casanet.net.ma/

Casa Net

http://www.alakhawayn.ma/

Al Akhawayn University

http://www.mincom.gov.ma/

Official guide to the Kingdom Of Morocco

http://194.204.210.2/english/e_page.html

Moroccan Ministry of Communication

www.gto.net.om

Oman Internet

http://www.omanet.com/

Oman Ministry of Information

http://www.watanom.com

Al Watan newspaper

http://www.palnet.com/

Palnet

http://www.planet.edu/

Palestinian Academic Network

http://www.baraka.org/

The Palestinian NGO network

http://www.zaytona.com/

Zaytona Soft

www.bailasan.com/

Bailasan

http://www.aauj.edu/

Arab American University-Jenin

http://www.arij.org

Applied Research Insitute - Jerusalem

http://www.bethlehem.edu/

Bethlehem University - Palestine

http://www.ibrahimieh.edu/

Ibrahimieh Community College - Palestine

http://www.padico.com

PADICO Palestine Development and Investment Company

http://www.pna.org

Palestinian National Authority

http://www.birzeit.edu/

Birzeit University

www.mmaa.gov.qa/

Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Agriculture

http://www.qatar.net.qa/

Qatar Public Telecommunications Corporation(Q-Tel)

http://www.raya.com/

Al-Rayah newspaper

http://www.gulf-times.com/

Gulf Times newspaper

http://www.mofa.gov.qa/

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Because of the relatively high number of Saudis with computer training and experience with the Internet while abroad, there is a natural market. Saudi Computer Software vendors estimate the software market at $400 million in 1997 with 10 percent growth over the next three years. The understanding of technology is there, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to increasing pressures to connect the Kingdom.

Tunisia was an early entry into the Information superhighway, but recent developments have slowed the growth of Internet related enterprise and Web content. Government regulation appears to be hampering development by placing limitations on ISPs which effectively prohibit the necessary environment to drive growth.

Compounding this is the fact that "Tunisia faces a variety of problems in terms of infrastructure, infostructure and the promotion of new habits and trends in Tunisian society", according to Dr. Karima Bounemra, of the higher council for information technology in Tunisia (Making a case for more cooperation, by Zeid Nasser, from The Star Jordan 12/5/96).

Currently there are seven ISPs in Tunisia with two dedicated to the public sector. The remaining five are dedicated to public organizations, health organizations, research establishments, universities, and secondary schools. The main private sector ISP, Agence Tunisienne d'Internet (ATI), currently has 2,000 subscribes and has ambitious plans to have 10,000 subscribers by 1998 (according to ghazi@ati.tn).

While the Network Wizards survey can only be viewed as one indicator of Internet activity, it appears that there has been a dwindling number of hosts with the .tn extension, which may suggest a reduction in the number of computers connected to the Internet in Tunisia.

The Tunisian Internet Agency predicts the market will be open to foreign providers of Internet Access within the next year (Leading sectors for U.S. exports to Tunisia, NTDB, September 97).

www.ati.tn/

Tunisian Internet Agency

http://www.planet.tn/

Planet

www.irsit.rnrt.tn/

Institut Regional des Sciences Informatiques et des Telecommunications

http://www.investintunisia.tn

Tunisian Investment opportunities

http://www.rcd.tn

RCD Party information

http://www.ult.ens.tn

Universite Tunis

http://www.cat.tn

Industrial Promotion Agency

http://www.med.tn

Business promotion

http://www.idsonline.com/srouai/bc

Central Bank of Tunisian

Etisalat, the sole ISP in the UAE, continues to gain new subscribers despite the "highest [access fees] compared to the other Gulf companies," according to Mr. Adel A. Al-Shirawi, Asst. Information Technology Center Director of the Department of Ports & Customs in Dubai ("Communication over the Internet", by Alia Ghannam, Dubai Trade & Industry Magazine, 9/97).

At present, there are around 15,000 users in the UAE. The high GNP per capita helps put access within reach for many, introduction of competing ISPs in the future may serve to reduce access cost and increase the number of users.

The monlopoly telephone provider that currently provides the only internet access, Etisalat continues to make important moves geared to improving the telecommunications infrastructure and capabilites; recently raising its capital by almost 25%, to Dh 1.9 bn (around $507 million) - the third increase over the last three years. This additional capital will assist the firm with the al-Thurayya satellite project and expansion of its other services. There has been discussion about allocating some of the satellite resources to Internet services (Sector briefs, Business Middle East February 16-28, 1997, p.8)

http://www.emirates.net.ae/

Emirates Telecommunications Corporation - Etisalat.

http://www.intercaf.co.ae/

Internet Café Dubai

http://www.hct.ac.ae

Higher Colleges of Technology

http://www.uaeu.ac.ae/

United Arab Emirates University

http://www.dctpb.gov.ae

Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board

http://www.ecssr.ac.ae

The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research

http://www.gulf-news.com/

Gulf News

http://www.khaleej.com

Khaleej Times

www.y.net.ye

Ynet Yemen online

http://www.y.net.ye/yementimes/

Yemen Times newspaper

http://www.gpc.org.ye/

General People's Congress

More access options, lower access cost, an increase in Arabic sites, and more computer equipment purchases should continue to drive growth in Internet users within the Arab countries. A host of Arab businesses have realized the potential value of a web presence and are now online. As in the west, there was a learning curve during which new users familiarized themselves with this new medium prior to the phenomenal growth in business websites. Now that business owners in the Arab countries can familiarize themselves with the technology, present their pages in Arabic, and access a huge internet audience both at home and abroad, the industry seems prepared to take off.

The commercial side of the WWW truly drove the tremendous growth of the past years. In the period from December 1994 to January 1997, .com sites as a percentage of all websites rose from 18% to 63% (Scientific American special report on the Internet, March 1997). The growth of commercial sites in the region could also have a similar driving effect if given the room to operate.

There are a host of players within each country that can play defining roles in the future of the Internet in the region. The business community, the academic community, and the government are key players. The user-community is composed mainly of individuals from each of these groups. Each has an opportunity to use its influence to support and drive growth of the Net or to curtail it. As mentioned previously, government-controlled monopolies clearly have the upper hand, but as privatization of major industries like telecommunications becomes more commonplace, this may less prevalent in the future. Each of these sectors has opportunities to gain from the Net.

The common misconceptions and some valid concerns over Internet content are sure to remain topics of debate. As those countries where the Internet is most prevalent now are finding out, there are many new issues paralleling the new technology. Ratings, blocking software, and monitoring software are some of the topics under discussion and development. In most cases, when the pros and cons are weighed, the advantages of the Internet are judged as superior to the disadvantages, and even these are becoming more manageable.

With Internet commerce increasing rapidly, businesses in the region have a cost-effective opportunity to reach new markets that may be physically located thousands of miles away. Commenting in an article on Lebanon's reconstruction, there is evidence of the Internet becoming an important tool in focusing international attention on reconstruction efforts and business opportunities.

"The Internet is the cheapest way to advertise yourself to the world," says Ghassan Ghantous, a researcher for the government's investment promotions arm -- the Investment Authority of Lebanon (IDAL). Since March of this year, Ghantous says, over 2,700 individuals have visited the IDAL web site at www.idal.com.lb seeking information pertaining to investment in Lebanon. It is this type of response that excites both businesses and governments around the globe.

Governments will continue to play a key role either through direct control of telecommunications or through legislation and official promotion. In examining the countries of the region, it is apparent that the governments that have taken a pro-Internet stance and promoted the services in their countries have witnessed positive growth and increased access. They have not been immune to criticism from some quarters, but have approached the Internet as a modern tool to improve their situations. Like any tool the governments realize there can be misuse, but the overall trend has been to take advantage of the new opportunity to increase communication, data exchange, and information flow for the benefit of the nation. In a region frequently characterized by "haves" and "have nots", this appears to be an opportunity to foster more "haves."

A writer for the Jordan Star, commenting on this situation, writes:

The growth of the Internet is happening on several parallel levels. As a business medium and a mechanism for improving information access and exposure, businesses and academics should be leading advocates. Governments, sometimes wary of information access, must appreciate the opportunity to improve the soci-economic situation which can make such access less threatening.

No longer isolated by technological limitations, language barriers or strict regulations, the Arab countries have an opportunity to reap the rewards of the information highway and interact with the global economy and its huge markets via cyberspace.