Arab Advisors Group has published a detailed analytical report entitled ISP Licensing Regimes in Seven Arab Countries: Comparative Regulatory Insights. This study examines and benchmarks the licensing frameworks that govern Internet Service Providers across Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The report provides in-depth analysis of licensing classifications, permitted services, infrastructure ownership models, financial obligations, and procedural requirements. It offers valuable intelligence for regulatory agencies benchmarking their frameworks against regional peers; telecom operators evaluating market entry strategies, expansion opportunities, and compliance obligations; infrastructure providers assessing ownership rights, leasing models, and build-or-buy decisions; investors analyzing regulatory stability, financial commitments, and licensing risks affecting business viability; and legal advisors guiding clients through licensing processes, contractual obligations, and cross-border regulatory requirements. Beyond the seven countries covered, the report also serves as a valuable benchmark for stakeholders in other jurisdictions seeking to evaluate the maturity, flexibility, and competitiveness of their own ISP licensing regimes.
As digital economies continue to advance across the Arab world, Internet Service Providers must navigate complex and often divergent regulatory environments that directly impact market entry, investment decisions, and competitive positioning. Arab Advisors Group’s report dissects regulatory authorities, licensing regimes, financial commitments, and operational obligations across these seven Arab markets, offering stakeholders actionable insights to navigate regulatory complexity and capitalize on emerging digital connectivity opportunities. Telecom executives gain essential intelligence on licensing structures, permitted service scopes, and infrastructure ownership models to assess market viability. Infrastructure providers benefit from clarity on network ownership rights, build-or-lease obligations, and regulatory conditions influencing deployment opportunities. Investors receive a comprehensive review of financial obligations, including license fees, annual , that is critical for assessing regulatory risk and long-term returns. Legal and compliance professionals can leverage detailed procedural requirements and licensing terms to guide clients through complex licensing processes, while policymakers and regulators may use the report to benchmark licensing classifications, renewal conditions, and regulatory obligations related to service quality, consumer protection, and data governance.
“While consumer protection and service equality consistently top licensing priorities across all seven Arab countries, the path to licensing remains fragmented. 29% of the countries examined adopt fully technology-neutral frameworks that allow ISPs to select any technical means for service provision, while the remaining markets retain restrictive or layered approvals limiting operational flexibility,” said Hiba Rabadi, Managing Director of Arab Advisors Group. “These disparities influence both the competitive dynamics among ISPs and the pace at which digital infrastructure can expand to meet growing demand. It is precisely these disparities that underscore the need for comprehensive, comparative analysis offering unmatched visibility into the regulatory landscape. Our report provides this depth, enabling stakeholders to pinpoint genuine opportunities while recognizing areas that require caution.”
Unlike generalized global telecom reports, Arab Advisors Group’s research delivers country-specific depth rooted in firsthand regional expertise. Our analysts engage directly with local regulatory frameworks to decode the legal and operational realities shaping ISP markets in the region. The report moves well beyond surface-level statistics, offering detailed insights into licensing classifications, permit requirements, infrastructure ownership rights, build-or-lease obligations, financial commitments including licensing fees, license durations and renewal conditions, as well as service obligations related to quality of service, consumer protection, data retention, and reporting. It also examines procedural steps and evaluation criteria regulators apply in awarding licenses, providing a full view of both regulatory design and practical implementation. For any organization aiming to enter, expand, invest, or advise within these markets, the report delivers a strategic, fully contextualized analysis that maps regulatory pathways and highlights structural dynamics that ultimately shape market feasibility and long-term competitive positioning.
Our report: ISP Licensing Regimes in Seven Arab Countries: Comparative Regulatory Insights 2025, which was released in June 2025 to Arab Advisors Group’s communication research subscribers, answers the below questions:
•Who are the primary regulatory authorities overseeing Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) in Algeria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE? and what licensing regimes do they administer?
•What type of license is needed to offer Internet services in each country?
•How do ISP license durations, renewal conditions, and terms of validity vary across the countries under study?
•What is the permitted scope of services under the terms of ISP licenses in each country, and how do these conditions shape market operations?
•Which countries authorize ISPs to build and own their own network infrastructure, and where are they mandated to lease infrastructure from third parties under regulatory oversight?
•What are the procedural requirements and evaluation criteria for obtaining an ISP license in each jurisdiction?
•What financial obligations are imposed on ISPs in each country, including one-time licensing fees and annual payments?
•What general regulatory obligations such as service quality, consumer protection, data retention, and reporting requirements are imposed on ISPs across the countries under review?
The report was released in June 2025 to Arab Advisors Group’s Telecom Research Service subscribers and is also available for individual purchase at US$ 6,000. For more information, to request the Table of Contents, or to purchase the report, please contact Rula Jabr at rula.jabr@arabadvisors.com or call +962.6.560.7737. Further details are available at www.arabadvisors.com
Arab Advisors Group has been a reliable source of telecom, media, and technology research in the Arab World since 2001, serving over 1,000 clients both regionally and globally. To learn more or view our client list, visit https://arabadvisors.com/client-list . Arab Advisors Group has an extensive catalogue comprising of 6,100 reports.
Source: Arab Advisors Press Release
