Mobile broadband network users in Jordan enjoy download and upload speeds that surpass the average in Middle East and Africa (MEA) countries, according to a report by Cisco Systems , Inc. The average download speed is 1,801 kilo-bytes per second (kbps), while it is 845kbps for uploads, according to the Cisco Global Cloud Index, e-mailed to The Jordan Times this week. The report indicated that mobile broadband users in the MEA region have an average download speed of 1,792kbps and an upload speed of 722kbps. "Jordan is seeing an improvement in mobile broadband network year over year," a researcher at Cisco , who preferred anonymity, told The Jordan Times over the phone from San Jose, California, where the multinational corporation, which designs, manufactures and sells networking equipment, is headquartered. The performance of the Kingdom's mobile broadband network improved by 22 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011, the report revealed. "Quality of the network is key for improving people's lives and attracting businesses and Jordan is performing well in this regard compared to the rest of the countries in the region," the researcher said. Noting that the improvement of mobile and fixed Internet networks is essential for boosting Jordan's economy, the researcher added this will make it easier for the country to excel in the provision of e-services. "Jordan is in the right direction... The improvement is a huge asset to Jordan as it will enhance its competitiveness in attracting businesses such as in call centres and other fields." Jawad Abbassi, founder and general manager of the Arab Advisers Group, said he was "not surprised that Jordan is better than regional countries in terms of mobile broadband". "Jordan's three mobile operators have already launched Third Generation Services and HSPA+ technology that is an enhanced version of high-speed 3G wireless networks, Abbassi explained. "The coverage of mobile networks in Jordan is excellent and much better than several other countries in the region... Some still have second generation and do not have advanced 3G networks," he noted. "The Jordanian market is very competitive, therefore operators are in a constant race to develop their networks and infrastructure," Abbassi added. The Cisco report indicated that the Kingdom ranks as one of the countries whose fixed Internet network performance is improving at an advanced level. The performance improved by 45 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011, with fixed broadband network users having an average download speed of 2,172kbps, and 660kbps in upload speed. In the MEA region, the average is a 3,468 kbps download speed and 1,019kbps for uploads. Internet penetration in Jordan reached 63 per cent by the end of September, while Internet subscriptions stood at 14 per cent with about 874,832 subscribers, according to recent figures released by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. Jordan Times
