GCC GLOBAL LEADERSHIP 5G

DUBAI : The Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] Arab States are set to be global leaders in the deployment of 5G networks, with all six markets expected to launch 5G mobile services in the next two years, according to two new reports released today at Mobile 360 Series - MENA.

The reports from GSMA  Intelligence highlight that pioneering mobile operators in the GCC Arab States  are expected to launch 5G networks commercially from 2019, driving innovative new services across the region and spurring future growth.

by 2025, 5G will account for 16 percent of total connections of these markets.

''Backed by proactive government support, mobile operators, particularly in the GCC, Arab States, have been quick to establish the  foundations for global leadership in the deployment of 5G technology, moving rapidly from trials to early commercialization,'' said John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA.

''While we are encouraged by their progress to date, it is imperative that the region's governments create a regulatory environment that allows 5G to flourish, including releasing sufficient spectrum, so that businesses and citizens can fully enjoy the innovative new services that  5G will deliver, as well as the resulting socio-economic benefits.''

The reports encouraged policy-makers to establish spectrum roadmaps that commit to releasing sufficient   quantities of spectrum  across all frequency ranges to enable operators to meet coverage and capacity.

The further note that the governments should implement taxation policies that could improve affordability and boost boost digital inclusion, and adopt an approach to license renewals that enables operators to make  long-term investment decisions rather than maximising government revenue.

There are current 381 million unique mobile subscribers [Q2 2018] across MENA region, accounting for 64 percent of the population.

However, it is a diverse region in terms of market maturity, encompassing the advanced  GCC Arab States, where 77 percent of the population on the average are mobile subscribers, alongside other North African countries such as Comoros, Djibouti and Somalia, where subscriber penetration is below 30%.

Between 2017 and 2025, the MENA region as a whole will see the fastest subscriber growth rate of any region except Sub-Saharan Africa, growing to reach 459 million or 69% of the population.[AP]

The honor and serving of the latest Operational Research on 5G and Markets continues.