Bahrain has emerged as a leader in download speeds among Gulf countries, with a recent report by OpenSignal highlighting the significant strides made in 5G speeds. The report, titled “GCC Markets Rank Among the Best in EMEA for Mobile Network Experience,” showcases the improvements in download speeds in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with increases ranging from 13.6% to 77.6%. Notably, Bahrain and Qatar recorded over 20% increases in 5G download speeds, positioning them as top performers in the region.
The report emphasizes that all GCC countries offer exceptional mobile network experiences compared to other markets in the region, particularly in the realm of 5G technology. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar are leading the pack in terms of performance. Additionally, when compared to 34 major markets in EMEA, users in the GCC enjoy the fastest download speeds, with Bahrain leading at 52.4 Mbps, followed by Qatar at 48.8 Mbps and Kuwait at 47.6 Mbps. The GCC region stands out for its remarkable 5G speeds, with average download speeds reaching 200 Mbps across all six Gulf markets.
The UAE and Qatar have consistently high overall availability rates, with users connecting to 3G, 4G, or 5G signals 98.9% of the time. In Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, 5G users spend more than a fifth of their time on active 5G connections, with Kuwait leading at 37.6%. When it comes to upload speeds via 5G, Qatar had the highest average upload speed in the region, followed by the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.
Research conducted by Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) indicates a significant increase in average 4G download speeds, which have more than doubled since 2020, rising from 85 Mbps to 266 Mbps in 2022. The high-quality service levels provided by the three mobile networks operating in Bahrain are crucial in meeting the daily communication needs of users, and the TRA’s analysis ensures that network performance and service aspects are constantly improving.
The Global Mobile Network Experience Awards presented by OpenSignal in the GCC markets offer insights into the state of mobile network experiences and recognize operators based on user-recorded experiences. These reports, issued twice a year, help operators and regulators understand the reasons behind the results and identify areas for improvement to enhance the mobile experience for users. Overall, the GCC region has made significant strides in mobile network experiences, particularly in 5G speeds, positioning itself as a leader in the field within the EMEA markets.
