4G network deployment and penetration rates in Tunisia, Turkey and Jordan
On April 7th it was reported that the Qatari company Ooredoo (via Ooredoo Tunisia) completed successfully the deployment of 4G infrastructure in Tunisia, which will enable the provision of new and faster services for consumers. As part of this process, a new package was launched with VoD services as well as online storage services with different payment options.
On March 31st it was reported that Turkey will begin the next day the use of this the new technology as well, which will increase the speed of mobile internet by 10 times. In August 2015 the tender for the services was won by Turkcell, Vodafone and Avea and it will last till April 30, 2029 for the sum of 4.5 billion USD.
According to the minister responsible, the transition to 4.5G technology will be gradual and it is expected that by the end of the year it will be accessible in all 81 districts of the country, but he added that “it will take time to small places of 250-500 people to start using these technologies. About 95% of the country will be covered by the new technology by 2023”. This was mentioned along with a warning to the young generation that while the mobile internet will be faster the cost will be higher as well. The minister also said that 40% of the 74 million mobile phone users in the country will be able to make use of this new technology without having to replace their devices. However a Turkish news agency mentioned the next day that it was Erdogan who said in April 2015 that “We waste time with 4G technology and we have to get to 5G within two years, otherwise Turkey will become landfill of 4G technology.”
On March 13th it was published that 4G technology is supposed to flourish in Jordan over the next five years due to competitive prices with an increase rate of penetration of 11-14% today to 70% in 2020, mainly due to increased data requirements in the kingdom where the penetration rate of 3G now stands at 70 %.
