Arab Advisors Group has released a new series of reports providing an in-depth examination of the 5G market in the GCC. This series serves as a comprehensive overview of each GCC state’s 5G offerings, focusing on postpaid and prepaid data-only plans. It highlights the benefits, fees, and cost per gigabyte of these plans, helping to identify both underpriced and overpriced options. Additionally, the reports utilize Arab Advisors Group’s extensive historical data on 5G services in the region to analyze patterns, trends, and pricing shifts from 2020 to 2024.
5G represents a significant advancement in technology and innovation for telecom operators throughout the MENA region. The GCC states, as pioneers in this field, were the first to implement and roll out 5G networks, setting standards for plans and pricing. This enhanced connectivity not only improves existing services but also supports emerging technologies such as IoT and AI, becoming a cornerstone of the region’s digital economy. Therefore, monitoring 5G developments in the GCC is essential for establishing standards and pricing models across the MENA region.
Since 2020, Arab Advisors Group has been diligently tracking 5G data-only plans, offering a thorough analysis of the evolving pricing strategies adopted by telecom operators across the GCC. Their comprehensive study includes a deep dive into fees per gigabyte, pricing models, benefits, data allowances, and the variety of plans available in each GCC country. The report evaluates how telecom pricing aligns with economies of scale, identifies discrepancies, and highlights which plans are overpriced or underpriced compared to the regional average. Moreover, historical data has been leveraged to benchmark current findings and investigate trends, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of 5G pricing over time.
Insights from Arab Advisors Group’s analysis of these pioneering markets enable operators to assess their competitive advantage and compare their offerings with competitors. These insights also serve as a valuable resource for operators still in the early stages of deploying or planning their 5G services. The series offers essential guidance for new entrants into the 5G market, helping them launch and market their plans effectively, backed by real-world use cases and proven strategies.
“Enhanced mobile broadband is one of 5G’s key promises, making the evaluation of the GCC 5G market crucial for both established operators and new entrants,” commented Hiba Rabadi, Managing Director at Arab Advisors Group. “Market entrants can benefit from analyzing more mature 5G markets to better prepare for their own launches. Additionally, operators in the GCC can assess their competitive positioning and benchmark their performance against peers. The value of our series lies in its unique and ongoing approach. As the sole organization tracking 5G pricing changes in the GCC since its inception, Arab Advisors Group offers an in-depth analysis of 5G pricing strategies. Our research provides telecom operators with valuable insights that can enhance their marketing and pricing strategies when utilized effectively.”
Rabadi further noted, “Examining the diverse strategies and shifts across different countries provides a strong foundation for maintaining market positions and better serving existing subscriber bases. For instance, we observe a broader regional shift towards greater affordability and strategic differentiation in 5G offerings. Bahraini telcos have reduced postpaid 5G data-only fees while maintaining stable prepaid rates, while operators in Saudi Arabia offer nearly identical prepaid and postpaid 5G data-only plans, albeit with a notable fee disparity. Additionally, 60% of GCC countries are moving towards more competitively priced prepaid 5G data-only plans.”
