The UAE’s mobile services market is set for steady, data-driven growth over the remainder of the decade, as widespread 5G adoption reshapes consumer and enterprise usage patterns. New analysis from GlobalData projects mobile service revenue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4% between 2025 and 2030, driven primarily by rising data consumption despite continued declines in traditional voice revenues.
According to GlobalData’s UAE Mobile Broadband Forecast (Q3 2025), mobile voice service revenue is expected to fall at a CAGR of 4.1% as users increasingly rely on internet-based communication platforms. In contrast, mobile data service revenue is forecast to grow at a strong CAGR of 7.4%, supported by the rapid uptake of 5G and demand for high-volume, premium data plans.
Average monthly mobile data usage per user in the UAE is expected to nearly triple, rising from around 12.9GB in 2025 to approximately 35GB by 2030. This surge is being fuelled by increased consumption of video streaming, social media, and other bandwidth-intensive applications.
By 2030, 5G subscriptions are projected to account for about 80% of all mobile subscriptions in the UAE, closely aligning with regional forecasts. The Ericsson Mobility Report estimates that 5G penetration across GCC countries could reach as high as 93% by the end of the decade.
Growth in machine-to-machine and Internet-of-Things connections is also strengthening the telecom outlook. GlobalData expects UAE M2M and IoT subscriptions to increase from 4 million in 2025 to 6.7 million by 2030, as sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and supply chains increasingly deploy 5G-enabled automation, predictive maintenance, and edge computing.
Market momentum is already evident. UAE mobile subscriptions reached 22.9 million by mid-2025, up 8.5% year-on-year. e& UAE continues to lead this shift, reporting 15.7 million subscribers in Q3 2025, supported by strong demand for 5G connectivity, digital services, and enterprise solutions.
Analysts view these trends as a structural turning point for the UAE telecom sector, with operators increasingly reliant on data-centric offerings, advanced networks, and IoT ecosystems rather than legacy voice services to drive long-term growth.
