Facts and Figures:
 

Business Users:
The retail sector is the largest user of the Internet for business purposes.  This is due to the emerging growth in e-commerce in the UAE.  The primary IT users in the business arena are health, insurance, transport, transportation infrastructure, hotels, public service, and administration.  The banking industry is particularly significant as it has spurred the use of information technology by offering many services on-line.  Businesses, government, and private users are all finding it easier to conduct financial transactions over the Internet. 

Banking:
Banking and related financial services in the UAE are active users of information technology.  In fact, the banking industry is probably one of the biggest proponents of the use of information technology. By offering information and services on-line it encourages users to take advantage of the service.  Banknet, an internet banking service provided by ETISALAT, Bankaway, an end-to-end mobile banking service provided by Bangalore-based Infosys Technologies, Ltd., and National Bank Paynet, an e-commerce solution for banks, all provide the financial services industry with the necessary Internet-based platforms to conduct business.  These software solutions allow merchants to accept credit card payments, orchestrate service delivery, and allow for e-commerce.  The government is the primary customer being targeted as a user (40). 

Private users in the UAE are relatively sophisticated.  The widespread understanding of English allows the users to accomplish more using information technology.  It was not until recently that Arab language search engines came on-line that allowed users to search for information on the Internet in their native language.  ARAB VISTA is the most popular search engine in the Emirates and it will probably further spur the use of the Internet by private users.  Furthermore, as Arabic-based software programs become cheaper and more readily available increasing number of users will be revealed. 

On a related note, the UAE has numerous cyber cafes, which allows relatively unregulated access to the Internet.  Clients without a username use a Cyber account.  The lunchtime special is a sandwich, soft drink, and half-hour Internet access for $9.50.  This service is not available to people less than 18 years of age.  The Ministry of Information enforces this restriction. The Dubai Internet Café was opened in 1996.  There are over 30 computers connected to the Internet via a Microsoft proxy server.

In terms of language, English is the primary language of business and most educational facilities require proficiency so language is not a significant hindrance.  Furthermore, the introduction of ARAB VISTA, an Arabic search engine, as well as wider dispersion of Arabic-based software programs has lessened the language barrier.   However, language may be a secondary deterrent.  This will probably change in the near term as more Arabic-friendly software programs are released.

Culture has played an interesting role in the development of IT in the UAE.   Although it is a traditional society it is much more modern than its surrounding neighbors (the GCC).   The emphasis the government has placed on technologic advancement has overcome many of the potential barriers.  The only issue here is in regards to censorship.  The proxy service that allows private users to connect to the Internet restricts access to “immoral” sites.   However, this has probably not been a significant deterrent to diffusion of information technology.  Please refer to Transborder Data Flows or Internet Diffusion for more information on the proxy service and privacy issues. 

The primary deterrent, therefore, is most likely awareness and education.  The younger generations of Emirians are aware of the power of information technology and educational facilities seem to have considered making information technology a mainstream in the curriculum.  Please refer to IT Labor Market for more information on educational opportunities in information technology. 

Information Technology has been considered a mainstay in the UAE for less than the last twenty years.  The push by the government to encourage complete infiltration has only been within the last ten or so years.  Therefore, the primary segment of the population that is not using IT is probably the older generations of Emirians that did not have opportunities to become fully acquainted with possibilities.  In order to further encourage use it is this group that must be targeted.  Increasing opportunities for adults to learn about information technology is important.  Society and the government is making strides to overcome this deficiency; however, the results will probably not be evident for at least five more years.

The primary instigators to information technology dispersion are the government and the large expatriate business community.  The government has made efforts to encourage foreign investment.  With foreign investment from more advanced societies comes technology.  In order to fully integrate these foreign firms into society it is imperative to provide a strong communications and technology infrastructure.  The UAE has done just that by providing places like Dubai Internet City, free trade zones, as well as ensuring that ETISALAT provides the appropriate services.   Furthermore, as e-commerce and e-government become increasingly popular people have become more aware of the significant role IT can play in their lives.