Region in Focus: Middle East and North Africa, Q3 2019

This report is available to those subscribed to the Mobile Operators and Networks module.
This edition of Region in Focus explores how 2019 is year zero for 5G in MENA, with 12 operators in five GCC countries launching commercial 5G services during the year. The report examines the increases in capex intensity in the MENA region, exploring how 4G and 5G investment are driving growth. The report also explains the mixed picture in terms of revenues, with operators in several countries reporting strong organic growth (underpinned by increasing data usage), while for other countries growth remains in negative territory.
Market analysis is provided for Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey and UAE. Meanwhile, this edition’s two topic deep dives focus on the state of 5G in the region and the evolving tech startup ecosystem.
Related research
The Mobile Economy Latin America 2025
Operators across Latin America are making steady progress on their 5G journey, with adoption forecast to reach more than 50% by 2030. This latest edition of The Mobile Economy Latin America provides an update on key mobile market data and the impact of mobile on the economy across the region.
Mobile Data Deck, Q1 2025
The GSMA Intelligence Mobile Data Deck offers a fast track to all the essential data you need to know, with key mobile metrics in one easy-to-use deck of charts. The forecasts to 2030 include connections by region and technology generation, smartphone connections and adoption, and mobile operator revenue.
The Mobile Economy Eurasia 2025
Governments in Eurasia are increasingly using mobile connectivity as a platform to transform their countries into modern digital economies. This shift is driven by the recognition that robust digital infrastructure, particularly mobile networks, improves public services and unlocks economic growth. Across the region, mobile connectivity is enabling citizens to engage with e-government systems and access education, healthcare and emergency services, even from remote and mountainous regions.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
The Mobile Economy Latin America 2025
Operators across Latin America are making steady progress on their 5G journey, with adoption forecast to reach more than 50% by 2030. This latest edition of The Mobile Economy Latin America provides an update on key mobile market data and the impact of mobile on the economy across the region.
Mobile Data Deck, Q1 2025
The GSMA Intelligence Mobile Data Deck offers a fast track to all the essential data you need to know, with key mobile metrics in one easy-to-use deck of charts. The forecasts to 2030 include connections by region and technology generation, smartphone connections and adoption, and mobile operator revenue.
The Mobile Economy Eurasia 2025
Governments in Eurasia are increasingly using mobile connectivity as a platform to transform their countries into modern digital economies. This shift is driven by the recognition that robust digital infrastructure, particularly mobile networks, improves public services and unlocks economic growth. Across the region, mobile connectivity is enabling citizens to engage with e-government systems and access education, healthcare and emergency services, even from remote and mountainous regions.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics