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To control their spending, a quarter of Egyptian GSM subscribers still use the payphone service.

A new Arab Advisors Group major survey of GSM users across Egypt avails deep insights into the usage habits of this predominately prepaid market. The survey revealed that while a majority of GSM users (75.5%) are satisfied with their existing mobile operators, a substantial percent (close to 36.1%) will consider switching to a another operator if it offers better rates and quality of services.

Of the total 700 respondents, 36.1% would consider switching their current mobile operator if a new operator is available in the market with another 39.7% saying that they may consider changing operators. Their decision to change would depend on better rates and packages (85%), and better quality of service (57%). “This clearly shows that the market is very price conscious which, the Arab Advisors Group believes, is good news for the profitable incumbents who are always better positioned to offer lower rates if needed.” Wrote Ms. Serene Zawaydeh, a consultant from Arab Advisors Group, in the report.

A new major report, “Egypt GSM Users Survey 2006” was released by the Arab Advisors Group on February 9, 2006. This survey report can be purchased from the Arab Advisors Group for only US$ 3500 for subscribers to Arab Advisors Strategic Research Services. Non-Subscribers to Arab Advisors Groups Strategic Research Services can order the report for US$ 4500.

Arab Advisors Group’s major analytical survey of Egypt’s main cities’ population was scientifically done. The survey involved face to face interviews with 700 Egyptian nationals from different households in Cairo, Alexandria, Delta and Upper Egypt, selected randomly in a manner proportionate to the population size of the different areas. Respondents were above 15 years old and were GSM service users. This random survey is of the current GSM users in Egypt, and not the total population of the country.

The survey sample is geographically distributed is as follows: Greater Cairo (42%), Alexandria (15%), Delta (25%) and Upper Egypt (18%). The random survey has a 99% confidence level with a less than 5% margin of error.

The Arab Advisors Group divided the survey questionnaire into main sections. The sections provide a balanced focus on collecting data on the following areas:

Judeh Siwady, Arab Advisors Group Senior analyst noted that “The survey revealed that Mobile users in Egypt also extensively use the fixed line with a substantial percentage (26%) still using payphones as well. This is possibly to control the costs of the GSM service. Some 93% of the GSM users in Egypt have a fixed line at home. 68% of the respondents use the fixed line at home for local calls only, while only 3% use it for local, international and direct (national calls).”

The survey also revealed that the most widely used prepaid plans in Egypt are MobiNil’s ALO Magic and Vodafone El Asly. In the Delta region as well as in Greater Cairo, most respondents buy their recharge cards mostly from operators’ branches and shops (86.4% and 75.4% respectively). In Upper