Middle East all set to Welcome 5G services |
Posted: November 24, 2017 |
Smartphone usage has shot up in the Middle East, and as of now, it has become one of the regions with largest number of smartphone users in the world. For 2018, the number of smartphone users in Middle East and Africa is estimated to reach 157.7 million. In the wake of this, demand for mobile apps developers in Dubai is also expected to increase. According to a report from GSMA, the Middle East and North African region is poised to be first in the world to launch commercial 5G networks. By 2025, there will be more than 50 million 5G connections across this region. By then, 5G networks will have covered around 30% of the region’s population. Also, the report highlights that mobile broadband 3G and 4G networks account for almost half of total number of mobile connections, and are expected to increase to 70% by 2020. “With rising mobile broadband adoption, growing subscriber numbers and increasing smartphone use, mobile is having an incredible impact on this diverse region, ushering in an era of innovative tech startups and new mobile services, as well as helping to connect the unconnected,” said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. “At the same time, we urge operators to continue investment in 4G networks to ensure future growth and encourage governments to set policies that promote technological, social and economic progress to create a society where all citizens can benefit from mobile technology.” The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will be among the first ones in the world to launch commercial 5G networks. The combination of high 4G adoption rates and government support is paving the way for 5G development in the region. Telecom providers Etisalat and Ooredoo are already conducting live 5G trails, and launches expected with commercial services based on 3GPR release 15 in dense urban areas in 2020. At the end of 2016, mobile penetration in the region stands at 63%, which is expected to grow by 65% by 2020 with the GCC markets approaching saturation and less developed markets like Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen struggling to connect more subscribers. The report also mentions that the mobile industry contributed more than $165 billion to the regional economy, expected to touch $200 billion. Back in 2016, the mobile industry also supported more than 1 million employees in the region. Mobile industry in this region also makes a significant commitment to the funding of the public sector with $20 billion raised through tax collection in 2016. Mobile services like online networking, video and internet business are being consumed, because of the tremendous growth in smartphone adoption over the region. Also, mobile OS has proved to be the best platforms for creating new digital solutions. Consequently, there is a huge demand for mobile apps that is expected to grow exponentially in coming years. We can already see businesses turning to best mobile app development companies for apps and allied solutions. The report noted that mobile internet penetration has doubled across the region over the last 6 years, reaching just under 40% penetration by mid-2017. Executive Vice-president and group president of Verizon Wireless, Ronan Dunne says: “5G will enable more than $12 trillion in global economic revenue, and supported 22 million jobs worldwide, by 2035. Because of all the business 5G can drive, it may lead to more startups and expansion of corporations in the Middle East region”. Planning to get a mobile app for your business? Reach out to FuGenX, the best mobile app development company Dubai that provides all sorts of mobility services across the Middle East.
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