Study of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) Telecom Companies and their Chances to Success in Arab Society Case Study: Yemeni Society

Abstract

This paper aims to explore rapid spread of telecom service via Internet, Voice-over-IP (VoIP), throughout Arab societies and companies and to measure the preparation of the Yemeni society to that advancement. Despite the fact that VoIP is still illegal in Yemen in terms of application, while there are reports of it being offered by few companies. The Monopoly operator is the Public Telecom Company (PTC). Hopefully this service is going to be legal and offered soon, this paper aims at measuring the technical preparation and technical background of the Yemeni community in particular. It presents a study that has been conducted to identify the availability of technical information and awareness services over the Internet and its relationship to the nature of work as well as their understanding of the Internet mechanisms, its benefits, and how to increase that influence on daily work. Field study has been applied to different categories of Yemeni society, Yemeni and foreign companies in public, and private sector work in Yemen. By reviewing and analyzing the results of field surveys it is shown that the Yemeni government has provided a moderate infrastructure installment for information technology. The majority of society has low basic techniques and knowledge relevant to computer, Internet access, and basic software. There is a good availability of IT training courses in the public and private sector. Despite the fact that the technology of VoIP is employed in achieving business in Yemen, it is still illegal in terms of application until now. This fact reflects a negative impact on the speed of its spread and acceptance by people and government agencies.