It is interesting to note that CNN is rated as highly as it is. Many corporations will not allow users to access the web. The reasons are twofold - first of all, they wish to limit drains on productivity, but more importantly, they are aware of the security risks involved in giving web access. It is easy to copy confidential material from company files and then paste it into a HotMail screen on the web. There is no log on that and no one in management is any the wiser.
Telecommunications is resonsible for some of the largest costs of any company.
IP telephony allows telephony over the Internet, but is banned in the majority of Gulf countries. This is a source of major annoyance to users. It doesn't help that companies like Cisco and others are holding seminars about the Voice over IP technologies and trumpeting the benefits and cost savings involved. The whole issue of alternative use of the Internet is something that service providers in the region will have to address. Not only is the technology rapidly overtaking the abilities of the overseers to control it, but that trend is set to continue until we reach the point where access is made via satellite, completely bypassing the local providers.