Some 77 percent of Saudis are spending nearly SR4,000 each on mobile services while 14 percent spend SR10,000 annually, according to local media quoting a study released by Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC).

Meanwhile, the average annual spending for 3 percent of Saudis on mobile services reaches SR10,000 where another 3 percent are spending SR500 annually, the study published by Aleqtesadiah daily, said.

According to the study, 79 percent of government agencies spend more than SR200,000 on Arabic-support IT and communication solutions. Eighty-seven percent of mega companies spend SR80,607 while 26.6 percent of small and medium-sized firms spend SR7,654 annually.

The study said 60 percent used the Internet through their mobiles during the last six months while the remaining 40 percent never used the Internet despite their knowledge that their mobile sets had the accessibility to the Internet or 3G services.

On reasons for non-subscription of Saudis to the 3G services, the study attributed that to the fact that 83 percent feel they do not need it whereas 40 percent say its price is high.

Meanwhile, 3 percent and 16 percent of the respondents attributed that to lack of coverage or their mobile sets were not compatible with the service, respectively, the study said.

On the frequency of mobile changes, 52 percent of Saudis say they change mobile phones every one year and three months while 14 percent say they keep them for two years. Twelve percent of Saudis change mobile phones every six months and another 22 percent change their mobiles every one year, the study said.

As regards laptops, 52 percent of respondents say they change their computer sets only when necessary while 25 percent of them say they change sets every two years. 19 percent, 2 percent and 3 percent of Saudis say they change their laptops in every 3-5 years, six months and within one year, respectively, the study said.

For desktop computers, 71 percent of Saudis say they change their computers only when necessary while 17 percent change their sets every 3-5 years. Nine percent and 1 percent of the respondents say they change desktop computers every two years and six months, respectively, the study said.

As regards ownership rates of computers by Saudi families, the study said every Saudi family has a ratio of 2.2 for laptops compared to 1.4 for desktops.