Information
Technology in the UAE
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The United Arab
Emirates is the leading industrial, commerical and trading center in the
Middle East. The UAE's plan to economically diversify into the non-oil
sectors has been succesful in large part due to a combination of an open,
liberal, pro-business environment coupled with a strong telecommunications/information
technology infrastructure.
Although the ETISILAT monopoly controls almost all aspects of the telecommunications industry its services and products are very modern. The organization has successfully maintained a high quality of service that is on par with western societies. However, ETISALAT is, on average, more expensive than many other nations which precludes some segments of the population from enjoying many of the higher end value-added services. ETISALAT has also hindered the growth of the telecommunications market in many ways. The censorship regime imposed with the support of the government has deterred some potential users. Access speeds are also a concern; however, ETISALAT is upgrading its services regularly. The bottom line is that in order for growth to continue it is imperative that the ETISALAT monopoly be disbanded. Complete deregulation will not only allow prices to decline but competition spurs innovation and encourages cost-effective solutions. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has been the prime instigator in the advancement of information technology. It has funded significant projects such as Dubai Internet City, a free trade zone created specifically for e-commerce and information technology related industries. Furthermore, the government takes legal issues associated with technology related offenses (cyber crime,copyright infringement, piracy, etc) very seriously. Like most nations, the UAE is still grappling with legal questions that arise. The system is not perfect; however, the government is taking the necessary steps to make the UAE internationally competitive in all industries.
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Summary |
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Infrastructure |
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& Deregulation |
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Diffusion |
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Commerce |
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Manufacturing |
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Development |
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Market |
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Geographics |
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Financing |
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Policies |
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Environment |
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Data Flows |
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& Weaknesses |
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Business |
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& Links |
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Author |
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Fact Book |
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Impacts of National
Information Technology Environments on Business
Kogod School of Business
The American University