This paper presents an overview about the heterogeneous data communication infrastructure and the existing Internet services in the different subregions: North Africa, central Arab and the gulf. It highlights a regional networking initiative called RAITnet, to link the IT professionals in the region together on top of the Internet as a transport facility. Several further issues and problems related to the Internet expansion and to regional networking activities are analyzed. It concludes with some future plans and recommendations to upgrade the data communication infrastructure and the Internet services in the region as a solid base for a Regional Information Highway.