COMCEC Transport and Communications
Outlook 2018
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OIC countries are generally in a less favorable position in terms of internet penetration
compared to fixed and mobile telephony. Average of fixed broadband penetrations among the
OIC countries is just 3.59 percent and this is much lower than world average, which is 12.39
percent. Lebanon, Azerbaijan and Bahrain are the leading OIC countries in terms of fixed
broadband subscriptions per 100 people.
Table 20: Fixed broadband subscriptions (per 100 people) in top 5 OIC countries
Country Fixed-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
Developed Countries 30.31
Lebanon 25.62
Azerbaijan 18.58
Bahrain 16.82
Kazakhstan 13.68
Turkey 13.55
World Average 12.39
Developing Countries 8.71
OIC Average 3.59
LDCs 0.88
Source: International Telecommunication Union, 2016
Bahrain, Qatar and UAE are the best performing OIC countries in terms of internet usage rates
with values above 90 percent. However, average of internet usage rates among OIC countries is
still lower than world average as well as developing countries average.
Table 21: Internet users (per 100 people) in top 5 OIC countries
Country Percentage of Individuals using the Internet
Bahrain 98.00
Qatar 94.29
UAE 90.60
Developed Countries 79.55
Malaysia 78.79
Kuwait 78.37
World Average 45.91
Developing Countries 38.98
OIC Average 30.99
LDCs 15.62
Source: International Telecommunication Union, 2016