In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the GCC markets are setting a remarkable pace in high-speed mobile connectivity, outpacing their EMEA counterparts.
In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Kuljeet Randhawa, Regional VP for MEA & India at Opensignal, elaborated on the key drivers behind the GCC's mobile connectivity success, the most promising use cases for 5G, the future of mobile experiences in the region, and the challenges that increased connectivity may present.
According to Opensignal's latest analysis, GCC markets continue to outpace their EMEA peers in terms of high-speed mobile connectivity. What are the main factors behind this milestone?
The GCC region is very competitive, with dynamic market forces, and we also have strong regulatory and government relationships that help us build closer ties with the region.
Most of the GCC countries have been early adopters of 5G, which has significantly improved connectivity. This progress has been supported by government initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure and connectivity, as these countries look to diversify their economies beyond traditional sectors like oil and gas.
There’s been a clear trend toward improving connectivity to boost business, enhance daily life, and attract commercial enterprises and individuals to establish themselves in the region. This focus on leveraging technology is a key factor driving the GCC's success, with strong momentum pushing the region forward.
Each GCC country is directing its efforts towards a diverse range of potentially transformative use cases that align with its national objectives. From your perspective, which use cases will benefit the most from 5G connectivity moving forward?
I believe the adoption of 5G will continue to grow, as predicted. As new technologies like 5.5G and 5G-Advanced become available, we’ll likely see more advanced use cases, particularly in AI and machine learning (ML), as well as IoT applications. With faster and more stable connections, even lower latency, and faster upload speeds, automation in areas like transport, automated vehicles, drone deliveries, and more will become easier to implement.
However, a notable trend we've observed is that, in some markets, 5G monetization hasn’t progressed as much as expected. As a result, there's been a shift towards utilizing the technology for Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). We anticipate continued growth in Fixed Wireless Access, especially in markets where deploying fiber isn’t feasible. In these areas, Fixed Wireless Access will be a significant use case.
In retail, especially in the UAE, we’re already seeing personalized shopping experiences both in-store and at-home, and this trend was evident at the show [GITEX GLOBAL 2024] as well. I think there will be some exciting new use cases emerging in the retail sector.
Do you expect the mobile experience to change in the GCC markets in 2025? Which technologies or investments will support its competitive edge?
I believe that 5G-Advanced will be the next significant push in the industry, particularly in enabling the further growth of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). Some existing 5G networks are approaching full capacity and experiencing congestion, making it challenging to expand FWA with the current spectrum.
In general, improved connectivity will continue to drive the support for more use cases, enhancing efficiency in both business processes and technology. This emphasis on efficiency aligns with sustainability goals, as technology becomes more environmentally friendly. Many GCC markets are increasingly viewing innovation as a pathway to become greener.
Since these markets are building their infrastructure from the ground up, they have a unique advantage: they face fewer legacy constraints. This positioning allows them to lead in new innovations and develop cutting-edge use cases supported by the latest technology.
What challenges, if any, will increased mobile connectivity bring to the EMEA region? How will Opensignal contribute to resolving or raising awareness about these challenges?
I don’t see many challenges; in fact, I recognize numerous benefits from improved connectivity and reliability. Enhanced connectivity brings greater convenience for individuals and businesess. We've already witnessed this shift since the pandemic—better connectivity enables remote work, allows for seamless streaming of high-quality content, and enhances overall business performance. Thus, I perceive far more benefits than challenges.
That being said, deploying new technologies does come with its challenges. It's crucial to ensure that these implementations are efficient and that any issues are addressed from an open-system perspective. Our insights can be invaluable for operators and regulators to evaluate whether investments are translating into genuine improvements in customer experience and their overall impact.
Our goal is to provide unique and actionable insights that enable operators to make informed decisions about their network infrastructure to help deliver better connectivity and achieve business growth. We assist in benchmarking and monitoring new technology performance and understanding how customers experience these advancements. From our perspective, our solution helps optimise networks and enhance efficiency, delivering value through our insights. Ultimately, we strive to capture the true extent and reliability of internet connectivity from the user’s perspective.
Continue Reading: From Deserts to Digital Dominance: Tech Transformation in the GCC
