5G in MENA: GCC operators set for global leadership

5G is rapidly moving from trials to early commercialisation. Between 2018 and 2020, more than 50 countries will launch 5G mobile services across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia

Pacific. In some markets, the launch of 5G commercial services is occurring earlier than initially announced – notable examples include the US, China, South Korea, Australia and some of the Gulf

Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab States.

This GSMA Intelligence report looks at 5G in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region across different perspectives: network deployment, spectrum, use cases, market opportunities, and policy and regulation. It also presents GSMA Intelligence forecasts for the number of 5G mobile connections in MENA, as well as comparisons with other regions and major countries.

The report forms part of a series of publications on 5G from GSMA Intelligence to shine light on 5G developments around the world. It follows previous research on 5G in the US and China. 5G developments and early customer adoption in the US, China and the GCC Arab States will be closely watched by operators, vendors, internet companies, enterprises and governments around the globe, in order to learn lessons from 5G leaders.