Jordan: the number of households using the Internet increased to 57%

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Jordan published the results of a survey on the use of information and communication technologies in the Jordan family in 2013.According to a survey it revealed that during 2013, the share of households using home internet, increased to 57%, while in 2012 the figure was 47%.

According to Azzam Halit, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Jordan, the survey results showed the actual level of use of information and communication technologies in the country, as well as the prevalence of the Internet in the Kingdom. In addition, the survey revealed barriers to the spread of the Internet.

Azzam Halit noted that the number of households using the Internet to connect to the PC or laptop has fallen from 57% in 2012 to 49% in 2013. This is primarily due to the development of technology and lower prices for various gadgets such as tablet computers and smartphones. The survey showed that more than half of smartphone use Jordanian families.

Qasim al-Zaabi, Director of the Department of Statistics of Jordan, added that the survey involved 3340 families. In conducting the survey were taken into account the data obtained during the general census of population and housing in 2004.

In 2014, revenues of the telecommunications sector fell by 6% in comparison with 2013 year and amounted to US $ 1,5 Bln. Telecommunication companies attributed this decline to the introduction of a special tax in 2013. However, according to a study conducted by the Government, this tax has not affected the incomes of companies. Halit added that the recession caused by the competition in the local market and the development of technology.

Association of Information and Communication companies’ Intadzh “stated that she does not share the position of the Ministry regarding the reasons for the decline in the telecommunications sector.

“Intadzh” believes that the decline in revenue in the telecommunications sector in 2013-2014 led to the strong pressure on profit major telecommunication companies of Jordan because of competition, technological advances and the use of alternative applications, such as «whatsapp» and «skype». Furthermore additional factors were the government’s decision to raise the cost of electricity for the companies, the introduction of sales tax and the establishment of state prices for cellular frequency.

arafnews.ru