UAE has the fastest average 5G download speed among countries in the Arabian Gulf, with smartphone users having experienced speeds of 316.8 Mbps according to a report by UK-based company, Opensignal.
Extending its lead for fifth generation (5G) peak download speed as well, UAE was ahead of Qatar with a score of 743 Mbps, 713.4 Mbps in Qatar and 663.7 Mbps in Kuwait.
The GCC 5G Experience Benchmark studied smartphone users’ 5G experience when using the 5G network for mobile video streaming, multiplayer mobile gaming, and voice app communication. Additionally, it looked into 5G availability and speed, as well as the uplift in experience compared with older 4G services.
“5G is continuing to advance across the GCC. In all six markets, users experience much improved speeds and video experience using 5G, Opensignal noted in the report.
“While smaller markets top the rankings for 5G download speed, the position of Saudi Arabia is notable: its users saw a strong uplift in both speed and video experience, as well as good 5G availability despite its size,” the report adds.
The UAE tops for 5G games experience with a score of 74 on a 100-point scale.
While UAE is top for 5G Download Speed its score slips behind Kuwait on 5G Video Experience with a score of 72.4 on a 100-point scale.
In 5G Voice App Experience, Qatar tops the rankings with a score of 80.6 on a 100-point scale. This measures the experience for over-the-top voice services using popular mobile voice apps including WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger and Facetime.
In 2021, UAE had the fastest network speed of 959.39 Mbps which placed it at the top of the global list.
In May 2019, Etisalat – the UAE’s biggest telecoms operator – became the first service provider in the region to announce the availability of a 5G network, supporting smartphones for commercial use. It was soon followed by the UAE’s second-biggest operator du, Saudi Telecom Company and Bahrain’s Batelco.
The Gulf region will have 62 million 5G mobile subscribers by 2026 and they will account for nearly 73 per cent of all mobile subscriptions in the region, according to a report by Swedish company Ericsson.
Source: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abnews/uae-leads-gulf-in-5g-download-speed-report
