Role of wireless backhaul in enabling 5G in MENA
This report is available to those subscribed to the Mobile Operators and Networks module.
The increasing migration to mobile broadband services in MENA is driving a rapid acceleration of mobile data traffic, with 4G now accounting for a third of total mobile connections in the region. Meanwhile, the transition to 5G is gaining traction in the region, led by the GCC member states. 5G will play a pivotal role in the development of smart cities and will support the digital transformation agenda of governments across the region.
Mobile backhaul infrastructure is crucial to meeting the increasing demand for data connectivity as well as for achieving the capacity, reliability and performance expectations of 5G. As a result, there will be significant interest in mobile backhaul technologies in the 2020s, as operators seek effective and efficient solutions for their transport requirements. Indeed, investment in backhaul networks will be an early driver of 5G capex in MENA, which is set to accelerate over the period 2020–2025 as pioneer markets extend coverage and commercial launches get underway in other markets in the region.
To understand the outlook and expectations for mobile backhaul in MENA, GSMA Intelligence conducted a survey of key stakeholders, including mobile operators from across the region and leading transport vendors, to capture on-the-ground perspectives on key mobile backhaul trends and deployment.
Related research
5G Next: optimising energy in the age of network complexity via integrated dashboards
This Insight Spotlight is part of our 5G Next series, which helps clarify the next phase of 5G and highlights key technological innovations. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical as it directly affects operational costs, while the integration of new network layers can contribute to rising energy consumption. Reducing operational complexity, unlocking actionable insights and transforming billing will be foundational to achieve efficiency, sustainability goals and long-term network resilience in the 5G era and beyond.
5G in Context, Q2 2025
This quarterly review of global 5G developments provides a concise, tracker-style deliverable, presenting key metrics and forecasts in an easy-to-access and engaging way. GSMA Intelligence has aggregated the latest data on 5G connections and adoption, as well as information on network trials/launches and spectrum assignments.
Mobile Data Deck, Q2 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.
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
5G Next: optimising energy in the age of network complexity via integrated dashboards
This Insight Spotlight is part of our 5G Next series, which helps clarify the next phase of 5G and highlights key technological innovations. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical as it directly affects operational costs, while the integration of new network layers can contribute to rising energy consumption. Reducing operational complexity, unlocking actionable insights and transforming billing will be foundational to achieve efficiency, sustainability goals and long-term network resilience in the 5G era and beyond.
5G in Context, Q2 2025
This quarterly review of global 5G developments provides a concise, tracker-style deliverable, presenting key metrics and forecasts in an easy-to-access and engaging way. GSMA Intelligence has aggregated the latest data on 5G connections and adoption, as well as information on network trials/launches and spectrum assignments.
Mobile Data Deck, Q2 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.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics