Huawei Technology saw an increase of 18% in revenue in the Middle East during 2012. The company also said that its 4G mobile network roll out and its IT outsourcing will be the main drivers in its regional growth.
The second biggest telecom equipment maker in the world also expects telecom operators in the Middle East to prioritize improving efficiency in the network, said Huawei officials.
The disclosure by Huawei of its revenue from the Middle East was the only financial data released by the company as it declined to release its capital expenditure or net profit in the region.
Many telecom firms in the Middle East, particularly those located in the wealthy Gulf, have 4G or LTE networks that could offer internet speeds that are more than double of 3G, but a lack of devices has caused the consumer take up of new technology to be slower than first expected, said company officials.
Huawei, based in Shenzhen China is also the No.5 maker of smartphones in the world competing with Samsung Electronics and Apple.
The region of the Middle East represented nearly 6% of the $35.3 billion revenue generated by Huawei globally in 2012, which was up from the 2011 figure of 5.5%.
Huawei includes in its Middle East region the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations – Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and UAE, plus Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq.
