Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the world’s leading 5G markets, driven by sustained investments in digital infrastructure, extensive spectrum allocation, and nationwide deployment of advanced mobile networks.
According to a GSMA Intelligence study, Saudi Arabia’s focus on 5G, fibre connectivity, and technology upgrades has positioned it among the top-performing countries globally for mobile quality of service (QoS), supporting the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and accelerating enterprise digital transformation.
Saudi Arabia achieved a 5G Connectivity Index (5GI) score of 60 in Q4 2025, outperforming the G20 average of 52 and ranking alongside advanced telecom markets. The index evaluates countries across spectrum availability, 5G base stations, standalone 5G deployment, 5G-Advanced coverage, subscriber adoption, affordability, quality of experience, and market development, making it one of the most comprehensive benchmarks for national 5G readiness.
Saudi Arabia delivers one of the fastest commercial 5G experiences worldwide. Average 5G download speeds reached 314 Mbps in 2025, remaining stable over the previous three years and ranking second among large land-area countries across Europe, the G20 and the United States. This performance reflects the maturity of Saudi Arabia’s nationwide 5G rollout and continued investment in advanced mobile infrastructure.
GSMA Intelligence identifies spectrum investment as one of the biggest contributors to Saudi Arabia’s network leadership. Between 2011 and 2024, additional spectrum assignments accounted for a 103 percent improvement in download speeds, compared with 30 percent across the MENA region.
The adoption of 4G and 5G technologies contributed a further 57 percent improvement versus 25 percent regionally, while smartphone adoption increased download speeds by 17 percent, compared with 26 percent across MENA.
STC is the market leader with approximately 55 percent market share and more than 30 million mobile subscriptions. The operator has expanded beyond traditional telecom services into cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT, AI, fintech, and enterprise digital solutions. STC reported 2025 revenue of SAR 77.82 billion against SAR 75.89 billion in 2024. STC’s Capex was SAR 13.82 billion in 2025 against SAR 13.13 billion in 2024.
Mobily is the second-largest operator and continues investing heavily in 5G, fibre broadband, enterprise ICT, and digital services. The operator has ranked among Saudi Arabia’s strongest performers for network quality and reliability.
According to Opensignal’s February 2026 report, Mobily retained the Reliability Experience award with a score of 839 points (out of 1,000), ahead of stc (806) and Zain (771), while also leading the award count for 5G user experience across major Saudi cities. Mobily reported 2025-revenue of SAR 19.64 billion against SAR 18.21 billion in 2024. Mobily’s Capex was SAR 5.83 billion in 2025 against SAR 2.58 billion in 2024.
Zain is the third-largest mobile operator and continues expanding its 5G network while investing in digital infrastructure, enterprise connectivity, cloud, and IoT services. Zain KSA reported 2025 revenue of SAR 10.98 billion against SAR 10.37 billion in 2024. Zain KSA has maintained annual capex of SAR 1.3 billion in 2025 and 2024.
The GSMA Intelligence report says fibre rollout achieved another 82 percent improvement in Saudi Arabia, more than double the regional average of 40 percent, highlighting the importance of integrated fixed and mobile infrastructure investments.
Saudi Arabia’s spectrum strategy spans low-band, mid-band and mmWave frequencies, complemented by widespread deployment of 5G Standalone (SA), 5G-Advanced, extensive base station expansion and broad nationwide coverage. Together, these investments have enhanced user experience while enabling AI applications, cloud services, industrial automation, enterprise digitalisation and smart city initiatives.
Saudi Arabia has strengthened its global digital competitiveness. GSMA Intelligence ranks the Kingdom among the top five countries worldwide for digital transformation of industries, supported by world-class mobile infrastructure, continued technology investment and national digital initiatives under Vision 2030. Advanced 5G networks are helping improve productivity, support innovation and diversify the economy across both public and private sectors.
Saudi Arabia’s experience demonstrates how long-term investment, efficient spectrum management and infrastructure expansion deliver stronger network quality than additional regulatory obligations alone.
While the 5G Connectivity Index includes subscriber penetration as a key metric, the report does not disclose specific 5G subscriber numbers or long-term subscriber forecasts for Saudi Arabia. Instead, it emphasizes that continued investment in spectrum, 5G infrastructure and advanced mobile technologies will remain the foundation of the country’s future digital growth.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
