In 2024, Gulf operators maintained excellent mobile connectivity, providing top speeds in Kuwait, Qatar, and the U.A.E., particularly benefiting regional travelers. However, network performance varied due to technical factors, roaming agreements, and cost management strategies. Operators face challenges from eSIM alternatives, which could affect user experience and revenue.
The analysis highlights that inbound roamers primarily came from Asian nations, the Gulf region, and the U.S.A., with the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia being the leading destinations. Operators could further enhance visitor experiences by revising roaming agreements, offering local SIMs, or introducing tiered-speed tariffs to optimize revenue while improving user satisfaction.
Key Findings:
- The U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia provided superior 5G speeds, with Saudi and Russian visitors experiencing faster mobile network performance compared to their home countries.
- 5G adoption among travelers varied, with Austrian, Saudi Arabian, and Hong Kong visitors showing the highest usage of 5G.
- Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan saw improvements in network performance, while travelers from Austria and the U.S. faced significant slowdowns compared to their home network speeds.
Roaming Performance in Key Gulf Countries:
- Saudi Arabia provided excellent 5G speeds to French and American visitors, while Indonesian roamers faced network speed caps due to home operator restrictions.
- In Kuwait, Saudi visitors had the fastest 5G speeds, but their overall network performance was slower than in their home country.
- Qatar offered exceptional 5G performance, especially for Saudi and Kuwaiti visitors, while travelers from Austria experienced the slowest speeds.
This study underscores the importance of revising roaming agreements and optimizing network infrastructure to enhance the visitor experience and retain control over roaming revenues for Gulf operators.
