Research from Finnish vendor Nokia predicts that one in four mobile subscriptions in the Middle East and Africa will be connected via 5G within the next five years.
In a statement, Nokia forecasted that by 2029, 5G subscriptions will reach 519 million, accounting for 23% of mobile connections. Nearly half (48%) of total data traffic will be driven by 5G.
The surge in adoption will be led by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sub-region, where 90% of all mobile subscriptions are projected to be 5G by 2029. Countries in this sub-region, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have seen significant government investments in 5G infrastructure and strong support for advanced connectivity solutions.
The adoption of fixed wireless access (FWA) technology, backed by 5G, is expected to grow from 11% to 38% by 2029.
Nokia MEA Senior Vice President of Mobile Networks, Mikko Lavanti, commented: “The adoption of 5G is increasingly important for countries across MEA to meet the rising demand for data services. This transition accelerates digital transformation while allowing CSPs to unlock new revenue opportunities. Nokia’s services empower CSPs to maximise the potential of their networks, delivering advanced connectivity solutions that are critical for the region’s development.”
