ABU DHABI Ñ Internet use in the Persian Gulf region has risen
sharply since 1998, a new study says.
The study conducted by a research group found that
Internet users as well as demand for personal computers grew by ten-fold
over the last four years. The study, reported in the Riyad-based Al Madinah
daily on Feb. 13 cited 121 Internet users for every 100 computers in Gulf Arab
states.
The study said Gulf Cooperation Council states comprise 40 percent of
all Internet users in the Arab world, Middle East Newsline reported. But the six GCC states account for only 11 percent of
the total population of the Arab world.
In 2002, the number of Internet users in the Gulf was three million,
with 2.5 million computers connected to the Internet. In 1998, there were
330,000 Internet users and 1.2 million personal computers.
The study predicted increased use of the Internet in the Gulf as the
business sector expands in the region.
