UNEQUAL NETWORKS: GEOSPATIAL EVIDENCE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE AND SECURITY DISPARITIES IN MIDDLE EASTERN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

This study presents a comprehensive geospatial analysis of GSM network coverage and Wi-Fi security infrastructure across five representative zones of Amman, Jordan's capital city (population 4+ million), examining telecommunications equity and cybersecurity preparedness in urban environments. Using wardriving methodology, we collected data from over 38,000 Wi-Fi networks and 3,000 GSM tower records during April-May 2015, providing critical baseline documentation of Middle Eastern telecommunications infrastructure. Data collection employed three Android devices with operator-specific SIM cards (Zain, Orange, Umniah) using WiGLE WiFi Wardriving and GPSLogger applications. Five zones were selected representing diverse socioeconomic characteristics: Abdali (central business), Sweifieh (affluent residential), Sweileh (mixed-use), Marka (working-class), and Wehdat (dense residential). Results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in infrastructure distribution (chi-square = 869-1198, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.176-0.212). Zain deployed 304 unique towers, Umniah 250, and Orange 151. Orange demonstrated superior signal strength despite lower tower density. Wi-Fi security showed stark disparities: WPA2 adoption ranged from 59.8% in Sweifieh to 29.3% in Wehdat, while open networks varied from 7.4% to 22.1%. WEP usage persisted at 14.5-20.5% despite known vulnerabilities. These findings document substantial spatial inequalities in telecommunications infrastructure and cybersecurity preparedness characteristic of rapidly developing Middle Eastern urban contexts, with implications for digital equity policy and infrastructure planning across the region.