By 2030, the overall mobile subscriptions in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are expected to significantly reach 95 million, growing by 3% annually, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report.
Communication service providers (CSPs) are set to focus on 5G Standalone (5G SA) and 5G-Advanced (5G-A) for new capabilities and offerings, prioritizing value delivery over data volume.
Moreover, the report also highlighted that 5G is expected to account for a quarter of all mobile subscriptions by the end of 2024.
Commenting on the report, Nicolas Blixell, Vice President and Head of GCC at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, stated, “The November 2024 Ericsson Mobility Report highlights the pivotal role of 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced in the future of mobile networks, particularly in regions like the GCC, where high mobile penetration and rapid urbanization are driving demand for advanced connectivity.”
Despite a decline in mobile network traffic growth, estimated at 21% year-over-year (YoY) for 2024, it is still projected to experience a three-fold increase by 2030.
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Driving Connectivity in the GCC
Global 5G mobile data traffic is anticipated to grow by 80% by the end of 2030, indicating a significant increase from the 34% predicted by the end of 2024.
The GCC countries are expected to achieve 47% 5G penetration by 2024, ultimately reaching 93% by 2030, driven by tourism, technology, and renewable energy sectors. Western Europe and North America follow closely at 92% and 91% respectively.
“These technologies are set to enable capabilities such as programmable networks and AI connectivity-driven use cases, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. As service providers in the GCC and beyond adopt these advancements, they will unlock the full potential of 5G, driving digital transformation and enhancing the way industries and consumers engage with technology,” Blixell added.
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Mobility Report Highlights
Ericsson’s Mobility Report revealed that less than 20% of the 320 CSPs currently offering 5G services provide 5G SA. Interestingly, nearly 60% of the 6.3 billion 5G subscriptions are projected to be 5G SA subscriptions by the end of 2030.
In addition, 93% of all subscriptions are expected to be 5G by the end of the decade, accounting for 88 million users globally.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) continues to gain momentum globally as the second-largest 5G use case, following Mobile Broadband (eMBB).
Globally, the number of 5G subscriptions are expected to grow nearly 2.3 billion by the end of 2024, accounting for 25% of the total mobile subscriptions. Furthermore, 5G subscriptions are set to surpass 4G subscriptions by 2027.
The report also highlighted the anticipated arrival of 6G technology by 2030, which will leverage the capabilities driven by 5G SA and 5G-A.
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