There has been a stable growth in the number of people with access to mobile internet. With almost half
, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was forecasted to follow the same global trend. The mobile industry in the MENA region has essentially risen to the challenge of sustaining social and economic activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite significant growth in data traffic. The
in the region was forecasted to exceed 350 million by 2025, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries having the highest
.
5G connections in MENA
Investments in technological innovation, notably in 5G technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, have risen dramatically in GCC countries. Since the introduction of 5G solutions in the region in 2019, there has been a high
public willingness to adopt the new technology in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While COVID-19 seemed to have slowed down the use of 5G networks in non-GCC markets, the 5G leaders in the GCC states have continued to invest in the technology, and 5G activities in non-GCC countries were expected to pick up again. 5G connections are expected to account for around 17 percent of
connections in MENA by 2025.
Smartphones market in MENA
The GCC region was expected to have the highest
smartphone penetration rate within the Middle East at more than 90 percent by 2025. Supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 and store closures led to weak smartphone sales in 2020. However, the smartphone market recovered strongly with the lifting of lockdown measures. The number of
smartphone subscriptions in MENA was expected to increase continuously in the upcoming years. Due to the access of lower-end smartphone devices at more affordable prices, even lower-income households can easily access the internet.
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