Information and Communication Technology in Arab Countries: Problems and Solutions

Information and communication technology (ICT) is flourishing in the Arab world at a rapid pace. However, the ICT implementation is not going smoothly or without major problems that hinder and slow down the progress in many countries in the area. The major problems negatively affecting the flourishing of ICT in most Arab countries can be categorized in two sections: Problems related to basic infrastructure and economy and problems related to governments' policies and regulations. Wireless solutions from multi-access radio to cellular to fixed-wireless have advantages over wired solutions because of lower cost and the speed and ease of deployment. Most of the proposed solutions lie in the hands of governments' officials because of the lack of privatization in most Arab countries. Governments' officials have to make drastic changes and take important measures in regulating the ICT development in the area, and allow more freedom, democracy, and protection of intellectual properties among other things to solve most of the problems facing the flourishing of ICT in their respective countries.