Wireless backhaul in Asia Pacific: enabling the 5G era

Mobile is now central to economic diversification across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The region has some of the world’s most advanced 5G markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council states, but large parts of MENA's population remain offline, and the 2026 regional conflict has shown how vulnerable digital infrastructure is. In addition to exploring these areas, this report examines how 5G, AI infrastructure and digital identity are transforming the region and explores what policymakers need to do to support operators.

5G monetisation remains a challenge across MENA, with ARPU growth broadly flat – even as operators prepare to invest a further $53 billion between 2026 and 2030 in 5G standalone and 5G-Advanced. This research examines which consumer and enterprise monetisation models are working across MENA, from volume- and speed-based pricing to fixed wireless access, private networks and AI services. It explains why results differ between advanced, growth and future-launch markets, and how spectrum pricing, tariff regulation and device affordability shape what operators can offer.

B2B has emerged as a strategic growth area for operators and the wider tech/digital ecosystem. As the digital transformation of vertical sectors accelerates, gaining insights directly from enterprises is key. GSMA Intelligence surveyed almost 900 enterprises from 10 vertical sectors across the GCC and wider MENA region to gain insight into their digital transformation. The research focused on strategic objectives, investment plans, use of technology, deployment challenges, supplier decisions, tech sovereignty, and policy and regulation.