Ericsson Mobility Report: Middle East and North Africa Emerges as a Fast-Growing 5G Market

أحمد أسامةالأربعاء 17 يونيو 2026

The June 2026 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report highlights the rapid expansion of fifth-generation mobile technology across the world, with the Middle East and North Africa emerging as one of the fastest-growing 5G markets globally

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During the first quarter of 2026, 162 million new 5G subscriptions were added worldwide, bringing the global total to 3.1 billion subscriptions. Ericsson forecasts this figure will more than double to 6.4 billion subscriptions by the end of 2031

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Global 5G Adoption Continues at Record Pace

According to the report, approximately 390 communications service providers have launched commercial fifth-generation services globally, demonstrating the continued acceleration of 5G adoption

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The report also notes significant changes in network usage patterns, with uplink mobile data traffic growth already surpassing downlink traffic growth for many service providers around the world

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In addition, commercial offerings based on Fifth Generation Standalone network slicing continue to expand significantly, enabling operators to deliver differentiated connectivity services tailored to specific customer requirements

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Middle East and North Africa Records Strong 5G Growt

The Middle East and North Africa region presents one of the most compelling growth stories in the June 2026 Ericsson Mobility Report

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The region currently accounts for 750 million mobile subscriptions, including 80 million fifth-generation subscriptions. This compares with 60 million fifth-generation subscriptions recorded one year earlier, representing an annual growth rate of 33 percent

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Although fifth-generation penetration currently stands at 11 percent across the region, Ericsson views this level as a substantial opportunity for future expansion rather than a market ceiling

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By the end of 2031, fifth-generation subscriptions in the Middle East and North Africa are forecast to reach 370 million, more than four times the current level

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Mobile Data Traffic Expected to Nearly Triple by 2031

Ericsson projects that mobile data traffic across the Middle East and North Africa will almost triple over the coming years

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Monthly mobile data traffic is expected to increase from 11 exabytes to 30 exabytes by 2031

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At the same time, average monthly smartphone data consumption is forecast to reach 47 gigabytes per user

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The report attributes this growth to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-powered applications, extended reality experiences, and the increasing development of connected and autonomous digital ecosystems throughout the region

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Ericsson: Mobile Networks Are Becoming the Foundation of Digital Economies

Kevin Murphy, President of North Middle East at Ericsson, said:
“MENA’s connectivity landscape is shifting rapidly, and this report makes that direction clear.

Mobile networks in the region are no longer simply a means of communication, they are becoming the foundation on which people, businesses, and entire economies will build their digital future

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He added:
“As demand for richer, more intelligent connectivity accelerates, the region’s networks are well-positioned to meet that moment and to drive meaningful transformation across every sector

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Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality Drive Future Connectivity
The June 2026 Ericsson Mobility Report also includes several in-depth analyses and industry use cases covering:
The continued growth of differentiated connectivity offerings from service providers worldwide

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The rising demand for uplink capacity in artificial intelligence-driven mobile networks.
The critical role of mobile connectivity in enabling artificial intelligence-powered enterprise transformation

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The evolution of artificial intelligence-enabled extended reality technologies in partnership with Qualcomm

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The report highlights how smart glasses and wearable technologies are emerging as complementary user interfaces, extending digital interactions and creating new opportunities for immersive mobile experiences

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Outlook for the Middle East and North Africa Telecommunications Market
The findings reinforce the Middle East and North Africa region’s position as a major growth market

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As operators continue expanding coverage, deploying advanced capabilities, and supporting the digital transformation agendas of governments and enterprises, fifth-generation technology is expected to become a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and digital inclusion across the region over the next decade.