A roadmap to 2025: Telecom trends and developments in MENA

By Karim Yaici, Lead Industry Analyst, Middle East and Africa, Ookla

As the telecommunication landscape evolves, driven by adoption of accelerated 5G adoption, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and North Africa are paving the way for a new era of connectivity.

GCC countries pioneered 5G deployment with the support of governments and telecom operators’ investments.  These developments helped to provide consumers and businesses with lower latency connectivity, increased bandwidth, and improved reliability.

In 2024, various trials were conducted for 5G Advanced, a steppingstone towards 6G. GCC countries are ready to commercialize 5G-Advanced next year, with more proof-of-concept projects planned to demonstrate its benefits to consumers and businesses.

5G is also gaining momentum in North Africa. Egypt’s operators were awarded 5G licenses in October 2024 and started rolling out 5G in major cities after years of trials. In Tunisia, commercial 5G services are planned for an early 2025 launch. However, Algeria and Morocco have not officially announced their 5G deployment plans.

The UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) announced its 6G roadmap in 2024, becoming among the first countries to do so. The roadmap includes standardization, research, and development initiatives, which will inspire other countries to follow this path in the coming years.

Continued Appeal of Fixed-Wireless Access (FWA)

FWA has been a popular connectivity solution across the region, especially for users in areas with limited or no accessibility to wired technologies, such as DSL and fiber. The seamless setup option and flexible contracts have made it a preferred option. With the arrival of 5G, FWA has further carved out its position in the market, enabling challenger operators to compete against traditional broadband providers and address coverage gaps.

However, there is still some debate on the long-term viability of 5G FWA. As operators invest heavily in fiber, which is a more future-proof solution, some consider FWA as a short-to-medium-term option. In North Africa, network upgrades are anticipated to facilitate operators’ transition from 4G FWA, while deployments of 5G Advanced in the Gulf region offer the operators an opportunity to deliver faster, lower-latency connectivity options ideal for real-time applications such as online gaming.

Tapping Into Fiber for Super-Fast Internet

GCC countries stand as the regional pioneer in fiber coverage and adoption, driven by government support and accelerated rollouts by local internet service providers. Amid this, the UAE and Qatar boast the highest fiber coverage, delivering one of the world’s fastest fixed broadband speeds. This widespread availability of fiber has enabled operators to continually boost the speed of entry-level plans while making gigabit packages more affordable. We expect competition for higher speeds to intensify in 2025, with a growing focus on improving indoor coverage through upgraded Wi-Fi access points and fiber-to-the-room technology.

Fiber is also making waves in North Africa, with countries including Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco boosting their investments to expand fiber reach and migrate customers. Despite these efforts, fixed internet speeds are still low (compared to Gulf countries) due to the continued prevalence of DSL and FWA. We anticipate more efforts in 2025 to incentivize customers to adopt fiber and move existing users to faster packages on older technologies to boost their median download speed.

Operator-Satellite Communications Partnerships

Telecom operators and governments across the MENA region are increasingly exploring the potential of satellite communications to complement their traditional satellite communication services with more capabilities and flexibility offered by new players, such as Starlink and SpaceMobile, which use terrestrial spectrum. In 2024, several partnerships emerged between telecom operators and satellite companies, a trend that is anticipated to continue in 2025, with more countries licensing the new satellite players.

Commitment to Sustainability Goals

Sustainability has become a key focus for telecom operators in MENA. In 2023, the region’s seven leading operators signed an agreement to tackle environmental challenges together. These efforts are expected to grow in 2025, with more operators investing in renewable energy and green technologies and adopting sustainable practices. It reflects a broader commitment to advancing their sustainability agenda while meeting the evolving demand.

With developments in fiber, 5G, and satellite technologies, the MENA region is not only ensuring fast connectivity but also paving the way for a transformative future. These efforts ensure the region’s pioneering role in shaping the global telecommunication landscape.