(MENAFN- Houbara Communicatons) Dubai, UAE, 26 November 2025 – Opensignal, the trusted global authority on mobile network experience, has released its latest regional analysis, “How 5G Is Reshaping the MENA Region: GCC Leads as the Rest of the Region Gradually Transitions,” offering a comprehensive, data-driven look at how 5G performance and adoption are evolving across the Middle East and North Africa.
The report evaluates real-world user experience across the region, analyzing billions of measurements collected directly from smartphones to assess spectrum utilization, network modernization, legacy network sunsets, and the rollout of next-generation technologies such as 5G-Advanced.
Based on data collected between July and September 2025, the study reveals:
• GCC markets are accelerating 2G and 3G shutdowns, rapidly refarming 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum to strengthen LTE and 5G layers.
• Non-GCC markets still spend more than 10% of time on 2G/3G, indicating slower device migration, lower VoLTE adoption, and more cautious regulatory timelines.
• C-band remains the foundation of regional 5G, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE holding some of the world’s largest contiguous mid-band allocations, directly supporting higher 5G speeds.
• Two distinct 5G deployment strategies are emerging: C-band–centric markets such as Qatar, Kuwait and Tunisia, and multi-band layering markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan.
• Oman is the GCC’s low-band pioneer, using 700 MHz to expand 5G reach and improve indoor performance, while Egypt remains an outlier with early 5G deployments not yet supported by a 3.5 GHz auction.
• Türkiye stands apart, following its 2025 spectrum auction and targeting a nationwide 5G launch in April 2026, with ambitions for 5G-Advanced from launch and a mandate for domestically manufactured equipment.
The findings underline how the GCC’s proactive spectrum roadmaps and aggressive modernization strategies continue to position the Gulf as a global leader in next-generation connectivity. Meanwhile, North African and Levant markets are pacing their transitions more gradually as affordability, device availability, and market structures evolve.
The report also highlights early momentum toward 5G-Advanced, with all mobile operators in Kuwait, along with du and e& in the UAE already introducing 5G-A services, and trials underway in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. As NSA continues to dominate the regional landscape, the study reinforces that a strong 4G foundation remains essential for ensuring consistent 5G performance.
To access the full report and explore Opensignal’s latest insights into MENA’s mobile network evolution, click here.

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