Singapore's Telecoms Market Enters Its Next Phase

Singapore has one of the world's most advanced and competitive telecommunications markets. Despite its relatively small geographic area and population of around six million, the city-state consistently ranks among global leaders in mobile connectivity, fibre-broadband adoption and digital infrastructure.

DataReportal, citing GSMA Intelligence, reported that Singapore had 9.79 million cellular mobile connections in late 2025. This was equivalent to 166% of the population estimate used in its methodology. The number of connections fell by approximately 99,000, or 1%, between late 2024 and late 2025, while 99.3% were classified as mobile broadband connections.

Mobile-connection figures should not be confused with the number of individual users. Many people maintain separate personal and business subscriptions, while tablets, connected equipment and other devices may also use cellular connections. eSIM has made it easier for users to maintain multiple services.

Singapore has also completed another important transition. The three operators that previously provided 3G services, Singtel, StarHub and M1, retired those networks during 2024, freeing spectrum and resources for newer technologies. Mobile users are now effectively served through 4G and 5G networks.

A mature four-operator market

Singapore's mobile market continues to be served by four mobile network operators: Singtel, StarHub, M1 and SIMBA.

Competition in such a mature market is increasingly about more than geographic coverage. Pricing, network performance, roaming, digital customer experience, bundled services and the ability to turn network capabilities into higher-value consumer and enterprise offerings are becoming more important.

The operators also report subscriber numbers using different definitions and reporting periods. Some report customers, others subscribers, active services or individual lines. Their published totals therefore should not simply be added together to calculate precise market shares.

Singtel remains Singapore's largest telecommunications operator. At 31 March 2026, it reported approximately 4.50 million mobile customers and 686,000 fixed-broadband lines in Singapore.

Its position is supported by extensive infrastructure, a large consumer base and a broad enterprise portfolio, as well as the wider Singtel Group's operations and investments across Asia.

Singtel is now moving beyond basic 5G deployment towards more differentiated network capabilities. In March 2026, it announced an expanded collaboration with Ericsson around 5G-Advanced. Priorities include commercial end-to-end network slicing backed by service-level agreements, programmable network APIs and greater use of AI in the RAN.

StarHub is one of Singapore's three long-established integrated telecommunications operators and describes itself as having the country's number-two mobile revenue market share.

At 31 March 2026, StarHub reported 2.222 million mobile subscribers and 571,000 broadband subscribers. Its mobile subscriber base increased by 17,000 during the first quarter, although consumer mobile revenue declined year-on-year.

StarHub has progressively repositioned itself beyond conventional mobile and broadband services, with activities spanning enterprise connectivity, managed services, cloud and cybersecurity.

It also continues to increase the scale of its consumer business. On 6 August 2026, StarHub and MyRepublic announced that all MyRepublic 4G subscribers would move onto StarHub's network. MyRepublic's 5G customers were already using StarHub through an existing wholesale arrangement. StarHub linked the move to increasing scale and positioning itself for further consolidation in Singapore's telecommunications market.

StarHub also shares part of its 5G infrastructure with M1 through Antina, their network-sharing joint venture.

M1, majority-owned by Keppel, competes across consumer telecommunications, enterprise connectivity and digital services. It serves more than two million customers and has increasingly emphasised enterprise and industry-focused 5G services.

Its activities include private and dedicated 5G, maritime connectivity, industrial applications, network slicing and edge computing. M1 has also introduced commercial 5G RedCap services for enterprises, targeting IoT applications that do not require the capabilities or cost profile of full-featured 5G devices. 

M1's ownership and strategic direction have, however, become one of the most interesting aspects of Singapore's telecom market in 2026.

SIMBA, formerly TPG Telecom Singapore, is the fourth network operator and has been one of the strongest sources of price competition in the market.

At 31 January 2026, SIMBA reported approximately 1.412 million monthly paid active mobile services, up 13% over the preceding half-year. Its broadband business had also expanded to about 46,000 active services.

SIMBA's growth demonstrates that there is still room for subscriber disruption even in a highly penetrated market. Its challenge now is to translate that growth into a sustainable competitive position as Singapore shifts towards standalone 5G and competitors respond through lower-cost brands, MVNO partnerships and consolidation.

The M1-SIMBA deal collapses, but consolidation remains on the agenda

One of the biggest developments in Singapore telecoms over the past year was SIMBA's proposed acquisition of M1's telecommunications business. The transaction would have significantly reshaped the market, but it did not proceed.

In May 2026, IMDA suspended its assessment of the proposed consolidation after saying it had learnt that SIMBA could have been using radio-frequency bands that had not been assigned to it to provide mobile services. The regulator began investigating the matter.

The acquisition agreement subsequently terminated and the regulatory application was withdrawn. The suspension itself should not be interpreted as a final finding of wrongdoing.

Importantly, the collapse of the transaction has not removed consolidation from the industry's agenda. Keppel said in July that it had established a three-year plan to strengthen M1's profitability and competitiveness and maximise its strategic value in any future industry consolidation. The plan targets S$70 million in annual run-rate cost savings by 2028, with S$10 million targeted by the end of 2026. Keppel continues to include M1 Telco in its non-core portfolio for divestment. 

At the same time, StarHub's decision to bring all MyRepublic mobile subscribers onto its network shows consolidation taking place through network, wholesale and brand arrangements even without a merger between two of the four infrastructure operators.

The structure of Singapore's market therefore remains one to watch.

Singapore moves beyond the initial 5G rollout

Perhaps the clearest sign that Singapore's telecom market has entered a new phase is the transition from simply building 5G coverage to making fuller use of standalone 5G.

By mid-2026, Singapore's operators had achieved nationwide 5G Standalone coverage. The migration away from Non-Standalone architecture, where 5G radio still depends partly on 4G infrastructure, has progressed at different speeds by operator.

StarHub switched off its 5G NSA network on 31 May 2026, while M1 said all its 5G sites were operating on standalone architecture. Singtel still retained a small proportion of customers on the older NSA architecture in late July, even though its nationwide SA network was already well established.

This matters because standalone architecture provides the foundation for capabilities such as network slicing, more flexible service assurance, advanced IoT and increasingly programmable networks. The commercial question is now whether operators can convert those capabilities into services that customers are prepared to pay for.

Independent network measurements show that the operators are not delivering identical experiences. In Opensignal's July 2026 Singapore Mobile Network Experience report, Singtel won the 5G Availability category with users connected to an active 5G signal for 79.9% of the time measured. StarHub recorded 70%, M1 67% and SIMBA 31.4%.

These figures are not measures of geographic coverage. Instead, they indicate how often Opensignal's users with suitable devices and subscriptions were actually connected to 5G. The distinction becomes increasingly important now that headline coverage is no longer enough to differentiate operators.

Private 5G and enterprise connectivity

Enterprise connectivity remains one of the most important potential growth areas for Singapore's operators. Government agencies, operators and technology companies have been testing and deploying private or dedicated 5G solutions in sectors including maritime operations, manufacturing, smart estates, transport and other connected infrastructure.

Potential applications include robotics, automated vehicles, industrial monitoring, remote operations, connected equipment, video analytics and real-time data processing.

M1's introduction of commercial RedCap services and Singtel's push towards commercially enforceable network slicing illustrate how the enterprise proposition is evolving from simply providing private coverage towards differentiated connectivity for particular applications.

However, the challenge remains commercial rather than purely technical. Many private 5G and edge-computing projects remain trials, targeted deployments or industry-specific implementations. Singapore's advanced infrastructure provides an excellent environment for such applications, but operators still need to demonstrate repeatable business cases and sustainable recurring revenues.

Fibre is moving towards 10 Gbps

The next phase is not limited to mobile networks. Singapore is also upgrading its Nationwide Broadband Network to support speeds of up to 10 Gbps. IMDA has committed up to S$100 million to the programme, and more than half a million households are expected to sign up for and benefit from higher speeds by 2028.

Commercial competition has already moved in this direction, with 10 Gbps residential broadband services and Wi-Fi 7 increasingly used in premium packages. SIMBA's entry into fixed broadband has also added another aggressive competitor to this part of the market.

As with 5G, the interesting question is not simply how much speed can be delivered, but which services will make practical use of the additional capacity.

Cybersecurity becomes a strategic telecom issue

Singapore's advanced digital infrastructure also makes the resilience and security of its telecommunications networks particularly important.

In February 2026, Singapore's Cyber Security Agency and IMDA disclosed details of Operation CYBER GUARDIAN, the country's largest coordinated cyber incident response operation to date. The authorities said that advanced persistent threat actor UNC3886 had conducted a deliberate campaign targeting all four major Singapore operators: Singtel, StarHub, M1 and SIMBA.

The operation involved more than 100 cyber defenders across government agencies and the operators and lasted for more than eleven months. UNC3886 obtained unauthorised access to parts of telecom networks and exfiltrated a small amount of primarily network-related technical data. However, the authorities said there was no evidence that sensitive or personal customer records had been accessed or exfiltrated, and no evidence that telecommunications services had been disrupted.

The incident is an important reminder that telecom competition increasingly includes resilience, cybersecurity and operational capability alongside speed, coverage and price.

Smart Nation, AI and the wider digital ecosystem

Singapore's Smart Nation strategy and highly coordinated digital infrastructure policies continue to provide favourable conditions for telecommunications innovation.

The country combines extensive fibre infrastructure, nationwide 5G, major data-centre and cloud operations, subsea cable connectivity, a sophisticated cybersecurity ecosystem and close collaboration between government, operators, technology companies and research institutions.

Operators are increasingly applying AI and machine learning to areas such as network optimisation, predictive maintenance, cybersecurity, fraud detection, customer service and capacity management. At the same time, cloud and edge partnerships allow them to combine connectivity with compute, storage, security and data services.

This changes the role of a telecom operator. The long-term opportunity is not simply to sell another mobile subscription, but to become part of the digital infrastructure used by enterprises to run applications, automate operations and manage data securely. Whether operators capture a meaningful share of that value remains an open question.

Market outlook

Singapore's telecom market is therefore entering a different stage of development.

The initial nationwide 5G rollout is largely complete. The three legacy 3G networks are gone. Standalone 5G is becoming the normal architecture rather than an additional feature. Fibre is moving towards 10 Gbps. The focus is shifting towards 5G-Advanced, network slicing, RedCap, enterprise connectivity, AI-enabled operations, cybersecurity and differentiated digital services. 

At the same time, competitive pressure remains intense. SIMBA continues to grow and compete aggressively on value. StarHub is building scale through its brands, wholesale relationships and MyRepublic. Singtel is using its network leadership to push towards more programmable and differentiated 5G services. Keppel is restructuring M1 while openly keeping future industry consolidation in view. 

The failed SIMBA-M1 transaction therefore may not have been the end of Singapore's consolidation story. It may simply have delayed it.

Singapore's compact geography, regulatory environment and highly developed digital infrastructure make it an unusually useful market in which to observe what happens after nationwide 5G coverage has been achieved.

The next competition will not be about which operator can claim to have 5G. It will be about who can make the most effective commercial use of it.

Related Posts: 

• Operator Watch Blog: Building and Scaling AI the Cloud Native Way at Singtel
• Operator Watch Blog: SIMBA Telecom to Acquire M1 in Singapore’s First Major Consolidation
• Private Networks Technology Blog: Singtel’s 5G Powers the Transformation of Singapore’s Tuas Mega Port
• Operator Watch Blog: Singtel Surpasses 95% Nationwide 5G Standalone Coverage in Singapore
• Connectivity Technology Blog: StarHub's SmartPTT Push-to-talk over Cellular (PTToC) Solution
• Operator Watch Blog: Singapore is a 5G leader in Southeast Asia 

5G, Mergers and Momentum in Thailand’s Mobile Sector

Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that Thailand had 99.5 million cellular mobile connections at the beginning of 2025. It is common for people to maintain more than one mobile connection, so the number of connections often exceeds the total population. Someone might have one SIM for personal use while relying on another for work, and the rise of eSIMs has made it easier to manage multiple profiles on a single device.

According to GSMA Intelligence, the number of mobile connections in Thailand was equal to 139 percent of the population in January 2025. Trend data shows that connections grew by 734 thousand, or 0.7 percent, between early 2024 and the start of 2025.

All mobile connections in Thailand now qualify as broadband, meaning they operate on 3G, 4G or 5G networks. This does not necessarily mean they use cellular data, as some subscriptions are limited to voice and SMS. Broadband figures therefore should not be interpreted as a direct indicator of mobile internet usage.

Thailand’s mobile market has undergone rapid change in recent years, driven by consolidation and fast-advancing 5G adoption. AIS, DTAC and True remain the sector’s most recognised names, although the competitive landscape has shifted significantly following the merger of DTAC and True.

AIS is Thailand’s largest mobile operator by revenue. At the end of 2024 it held around 49 percent of the revenue market share, underscoring its dominance in financial performance. By mid-2025 AIS had close to 46 million mobile subscribers, making it a formidable competitor in terms of scale as well.

The company has been at the forefront of 5G deployment. AIS continues to expand coverage while also working on innovative monetisation models. One example is its “5G Mode” offerings, which are tailored for heavy users such as gamers and live streamers who require superior performance. AIS has also been active in acquiring new spectrum, such as the 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz bands, to strengthen its 5G capacity.

Beyond mobile, AIS is reinforcing its presence in fixed broadband through acquisitions such as 3BB, which allows it to bundle services across mobile, internet, and entertainment.

Before merging with True, DTAC was Thailand’s third-largest mobile operator. It served millions of customers and competed on both pricing and service innovation. DTAC’s merger with True in 2023 fundamentally reshaped the market by consolidating customer bases and resources into a much larger entity. 

Although DTAC as a standalone brand has largely been absorbed into True, its legacy remains important for understanding the current market balance. The merger created a powerful player capable of challenging AIS more directly, both in subscriber numbers and infrastructure investment.

True Corporation is now a much larger operator following its merger with DTAC. By mid-2025 the combined company reported around 48.5 million subscribers, making it the largest provider in Thailand by customer base.

True has also taken a strong lead in 5G coverage. By early 2025 it reported 93 percent nationwide 5G coverage, giving it a significant advantage in terms of network reach. To sustain this lead, True continues to acquire spectrum across multiple frequency bands, ensuring both urban and rural areas gain access to next-generation mobile services.

The operator also pursues a convergence strategy, bundling mobile services with broadband, pay-TV, and digital content. This approach helps it to strengthen customer loyalty and increase average revenue per user.

Together, AIS and True (with DTAC now integrated) dominate Thailand’s mobile sector. AIS leads in revenue share, while True edges ahead in subscriber numbers and 5G coverage. The rivalry between these two giants is shaping the pace of 5G rollout, the quality of mobile services, and the innovation in bundled offerings across the country.

Related Posts: 

• Operator Watch Blog - Case Study: AIS Thailand’s Transformation to 5G-Driven Autonomous Operations
• Private Networks Technology Blog: 5G Private Networks Driving Industry Transformation in APAC
• The 3G4G Blog: Detection of Real-world Fake Base Station (FBS) Attacks in Thailand
• Operator Watch Blog: 5G lights up Thailand’s digital future
• Operator Watch Blog: Thailand gets 5G Spectrum but no demand for 1800 MHz and 3.5 GHz coming in 2021 

Resilient Networks and Future Ambitions in Azerbaijan’s Telecom Sector

Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, is known not only for its rich oil reserves and cultural heritage but also for its evolving mobile telecommunications sector. While the telecom industry plays a significant role in the country’s non-oil GDP, its overall progress has been slowed by years of political instability, civil unrest, and systemic corruption.

Despite these challenges, Azerbaijan has made meaningful strides in expanding mobile connectivity and strengthening its 4G infrastructure. Mobile penetration reached 100% as early as 2011, though growth has largely stagnated since. However, mobile operators are steadily extending their LTE networks across the country. This expanded coverage, along with increased access to faster data services, is expected to fuel modest growth in both mobile usage and mobile broadband adoption in the coming years, particularly as users shift from 3G to 4G. While 5G deployment is still in its early stages, the current LTE infrastructure remains sufficient to meet most of the population’s demand for high-speed data and broadband.

According to the latest data from GSMA Intelligence, Azerbaijan had approximately 12.2 million cellular mobile connections at the start of 2025. It's important to note that this number exceeds the country’s total population, a common occurrence in mobile markets globally. Many individuals maintain multiple mobile connections, often separating personal and professional use. The growing availability of eSIM technology has further simplified managing multiple lines on a single device.

In fact, mobile connections in Azerbaijan were equivalent to 118% of the country’s population as of January 2025. This ratio highlights the widespread reliance on mobile services and suggests a mature market in terms of connectivity access.

Looking at year-on-year trends, the number of mobile connections grew by 370,000 (or 3.1%) between early 2024 and the beginning of 2025. This moderate but consistent growth reflects a combination of factors, including population mobility, the rise of connected devices (like smartwatches and tablets), and continued expansion into underserved regions.

Notably, 96.5% of all mobile connections in Azerbaijan are now classified as “broadband connections,” meaning they operate over 3G, 4G, or 5G networks. However, it's worth clarifying that a broadband-capable connection doesn’t automatically equate to active mobile internet usage. Some plans, particularly lower-cost or enterprise bundles, may provide only voice and SMS services without significant data allowances. Therefore, while broadband-capable connections indicate the potential for mobile internet access, they don't necessarily reflect actual usage patterns.

Therefore the mobile network coverage is generally good, with 4G and 3G networks estimated to have 100% coverage in 2025, according to Statista.  Opensignal's Global Network Excellence Index ranks Azerbaijan 65th overall, with an 81% 4G/5G availability.

The country has three major GSM operators: Azercell, Bakcell, and Nar Mobile.

Established in 1996 as a joint venture between the Azerbaijani government and Turkcell, Azercell is today the country’s foremost mobile provider, commanding around 48–51% market share with over 5 million subscribers.

As of early 2024–2025, its 4G network spans roughly 94–98% of both population and territory. In 2023 alone, Azercell installed 300+ new LTE base stations and modernized 1,600+ existing sites, boosting 4G coverage by ~10% and doubling average internet speeds. This ambitious project extended connectivity into reclaimed Karabakh areas, with over 150 base stations deployed in key cities such as Shusha, Agdam, Khojaly, and more.

From 2017 onward, Azercell has actively incorporated solar-powered base stations, notably in Karabakh, where 35 stations derive ~60% of their energy from renewables. In 2024, it joined the GSMA Climate Action Taskforce and became the official telecom partner for COP29 in Baku—underlining its commitment to sustainability efforts.

In 2022, Azercell launched Azerbaijan's first 5G test zone at Baku’s Fountain Square and in select locations. They are also actively collaborating with GSMA Advanced programs, focusing on AI, IoT, and network security training for staff. Currently the 5G network remains in test/trial mode, focused on public hotspots like Fountain Square.

Bakcell serves over 3 million subscribers, positioning it as Azerbaijan's second-largest mobile operator. The operator has been named “Azerbaijan’s Fastest Mobile Network” by Ookla multiple times, three consecutive years from 2018–2019, again in 2021, and most recently for Q1–Q2 2022 . Their extensive network of ~9,000 base stations ensures coverage for 99.9% of the population and ~92.6% of the country's area.

Bakcell was among the first in Azerbaijan to introduce eSIM and VoLTE, often bundled with high-speed 4G infrastructure .Their LTE network rollout has been rapid: by mid‑2019, they had installed nearly 3,000+ 4G base stations, covering 78% of the population and 52% of the land area.

In February 2023, Bakcell officially launched its 5G test network in several central Baku locations: Fountain Square, Khagani Garden, and Deniz Mall. The pilot supports Huawei, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Poco, and Vivo devices, offering 5 GB of free trial data per hour. The trial is fully embedded within existing data packages, no added charges for users testing 5G.

Through its affiliate, AzerTelecom, Bakcell is contributing to the “Digital Silk Way” fiber-optic corridor: improving regional connectivity across the Caucasus and Central Asia, this aims to build a high-capacity fiber-optic corridor bridging Europe and Asia. The infrastructure includes both terrestrial and subsea routes through key countries like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, and Türkiye. 

Nar (Azerfon) is the third-largest mobile operator in Azerbaijan with around 2.2 million subscribers.
It offers approximately 97–98.5% territory coverage and serves 99.7–99.8% of the population.

As of early 2025, Nar operates over 7,300–8,500 base stations, including more than 1,620–1,800 LTE sites, up from just 1,000 LTE bases in 2019. In the last year alone, 685 new 4G stations and 150+ 3G stations were added. As of recent reports, 91.5% of the population is within 4G network reach, and active 4G users total around 850,000 (about one in three Nar users).

Although Nar has not launched public 5G trials, it’s building out LTE infrastructure aggressively, strengthening its capacity ahead of future 5G deployment. Infrastructure expansion, especially in liberated regions and transport corridors, provides a solid foundation for next-gen services. With its strong customer satisfaction, regional reach, and ongoing network upgrades, Nar is well-positioned to enter the 5G space once spectrum becomes available and demand accelerates.

Azerbaijan’s mobile market reflects a blend of resilience, innovation, and regional ambition. With three strong national operators, increasing investments in LTE and 5G, and efforts to bridge the digital divide, the country is well on its way to a more connected future.

As demand for faster, more reliable mobile services continues to grow, Azerbaijan’s telecom sector will likely play a central role in shaping its broader digital transformation.

Rising Demand and Competition in Algeria’s Mobile Sector

Algeria, the largest country in Africa, has a fast-growing telecommunications sector shaped by strong state involvement, a youthful and increasingly connected population, and rising demand for mobile internet. Despite regulatory complexities and infrastructure challenges, mobile operators are competing to improve coverage, increase speeds and launch innovative digital services.

The mobile market in Algeria is dominated by three major operators: Mobilis (ATM Mobilis), which is state-owned; Djezzy (Optimum Telecom Algeria), a privatised operator with majority state ownership; and Ooredoo Algeria, a subsidiary of the Qatari Ooredoo Group.

According to GSMA Intelligence, there were 54.8 million cellular mobile connections in Algeria at the start of 2025. It is common for individuals to use more than one mobile connection, often splitting usage between personal and professional needs. The growing use of eSIMs has made this even easier. Mobile connections in Algeria were equivalent to 116 percent of the total population in January 2025. This figure had risen by 3.0 million, or 5.8 percent, over the previous year.

Of these connections, 91.4 percent are classified as broadband, meaning they access the internet via 3G, 4G or 5G networks. However, broadband-capable devices do not always translate to mobile internet usage, as some plans may include only voice and SMS services.

Mobilis holds the largest share of Algeria’s mobile market at 43.7 percent. As the state-owned operator, it plays a central role in national connectivity. Mobilis launched GSM services in 2003 and was the first to introduce 4G LTE in 2016. With strong government backing, it focuses on reaching both urban centres and rural areas. The operator offers a full suite of services including prepaid and postpaid voice, SMS and data plans. It has invested heavily in network upgrades and has been preparing for 5G with successful trials and a commercial rollout expected later in 2025.

Recent tests have shown Mobilis achieving speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps with low latency, demonstrating its ability to meet global performance benchmarks. These trials featured use cases such as virtual tourism, cloud gaming and augmented reality experiences. Alongside its mobile efforts, Mobilis is also expanding its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) offerings through partnerships with local microenterprises, supporting broader national digital inclusion goals.

Djezzy, established in 2001, commands a 30.84 percent market share. Known for its innovation and wide reach, Djezzy has played a major role in expanding Algeria’s 3G and 4G footprint. The operator offers a variety of competitively priced data plans, particularly attractive to value-conscious users. It has also been involved in 5G trials as it looks to modernise its network and stay ahead of evolving consumer demands.

Ooredoo Algeria holds a 25 percent market share but consistently ranks high on digital service quality. The latest Opensignal report highlighted Ooredoo’s strengths in download and upload speeds, network consistency and video experience. Its portfolio includes data-rich plans aimed at younger users as well as solutions for business customers. The company is actively preparing for 5G through partnerships with global technology providers.

Ooredoo is also participating in the Universal Telecommunication Service project, a government-led initiative to extend coverage to remote and underserved regions. As part of this programme, the operator is working to deploy more than 1,200 new sites across rural Algeria, delivering essential voice and data services to communities that were previously unconnected or poorly served.

The mobile landscape in Algeria remains highly competitive, with all three operators striving to enhance service quality and expand their networks. This competition has helped to keep prices attractive while driving continuous improvements in infrastructure and user experience.

Algeria’s mobile ecosystem is evolving rapidly. With growing demand for data, nationwide 4G expansion and the expected arrival of commercial 5G services, the market is set for further transformation. Government initiatives to promote digital inclusion and the operators' sustained investment in technology suggest a strong trajectory for mobile connectivity across the country.

Related Posts: 

• Operator Watch Blog: Algeria to Launch 5G but Prioritise 4G Infrastructure Upgrades
• Operator Watch Blog: Algeria - Growth and Competition in North Africa 

Malaysia Builds Momentum in 5G and Mobile Growth

Malaysia has a robust telecommunications infrastructure and a competitive mobile market. According to GSMA Intelligence, Malaysia had 43.3 million cellular mobile connections at the start of 2025. It is important to note that many individuals use more than one mobile connection, such as one for personal use and another for work, so the total number of mobile connections often exceeds the population. The growing adoption of eSIMs has further simplified the use of multiple connections on a single device.

In fact, GSMA Intelligence data shows that, as of January 2025, mobile connections in Malaysia were equivalent to 121% of the country’s total population.

Looking at recent trends, mobile connections grew by 474,000, an increase of 1.1%, between the start of 2024 and early 2025. Additionally, 99.0% of mobile connections in Malaysia are now classified as broadband, meaning they connect through 3G, 4G, or 5G networks.

However, it is worth noting that not all devices on broadband-capable networks actively use mobile data. Some connections may be limited to voice and SMS services only, so this broadband percentage should not be interpreted as a direct indicator of mobile internet usage.

As part of its broader economic development efforts, Malaysia has actively promoted open competition in the telecommunications sector. This approach has led to high penetration rates in both mobile and mobile broadband services, along with near-universal LTE coverage. Since the launch of 5G in 2022, adoption has grown rapidly, with 5G making up 38 % of all mobile broadband subscriptions by September 2024.

The major mobile operators in Malaysia are CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, YTL Communications (YES), and Unifi Mobile. These operators have been actively involved in the rollout of Malaysia's national 5G network and are key players in the country's telecommunications landscape. 

To maintain consistent 5G service quality, Malaysia’s mobile operators continue to utilise the state-owned 5G network operated by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). In May 2023, Malaysian authorities announced plans to transition to a dual 5G network model once DNB reached 80% population coverage, a milestone that was achieved in December 2023.

This shift marked a significant policy change, including the revocation of a 2021 ministerial directive that had previously appointed DNB as the sole entity responsible for Malaysia’s 5G rollout.

DNB was established by the government in 2021 as a special-purpose vehicle tasked with developing the national 5G infrastructure. Its network, deployed by Ericsson, is currently used by private telcos to deliver 5G services to consumers and businesses.

As of now, the major mobile operators in Malaysia provide 5G services through DNB’s state-run network. These include CelcomDigi, Maxis, YTL Communications (Yes 5G), and U Mobile. Each of these operators, except for Telekom Malaysia which had its equity deal cancelled, holds a 16.3% equity stake in DNB. The Ministry of Finance retains a 34% share.

CelcomDigi holds a 30.1% market share in the Malaysian telecommunications sector. This is a significant increase from 2023, following the merger between Celcom and Digi in November 2022. The merged entity has become the largest telecommunications company in Malaysia, surpassing its closest rival, Maxis.

Currently, it serves over 20 million customers, two-thirds of the Malaysian population, through 6.7 million postpaid and 13.4 million prepaid subscribers. CelcomDigi operates the widest 4G network, covering over 96 % of the population nationwide from approximately 24,000 network sites and has an extensive fibre network of around 15,000 kilometres.

CelcomDigi and Ericsson have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce AI-driven network analytics across CelcomDigi’s infrastructure, aiming to enhance operational efficiency as 5G adoption continues to rise in Malaysia. As part of the agreement, both companies will collaborate on the development of intent-based autonomous networks, integrating AI and automation to improve network performance and efficiency. They also plan to explore the use of AI in building advanced 5G service assurance solutions, with the goal of delivering more reliable and tailored connectivity experiences for both businesses and consumers.

According to Ericsson, Malaysia registered 18.2 million 5G subscriptions as of the end of 2024, which equates to a market penetration rate of 53.4%.

CelcomDigi also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ZTE to collaborate on integrating AI technologies into its telecommunications infrastructure. The companies plan to explore AI-driven solutions such as new calling, intelligent deep packet inspection for smarter network traffic management, and intelligent operations and maintenance to automate network monitoring and maintenance using AI-powered predictive analytics.

Maxis is the second largest operator in Malaysia. Maxis operates one of the most reliable 4G LTE networks in the country, reaching over 95% of the population. With Malaysia's ongoing 5G rollout under the DNB single wholesale network model, Maxis was initially cautious in adopting the new structure. However, in 2023, Maxis signed an access agreement with DNB, enabling it to begin offering 5G services.

According to Opensignal, Maxis was the first Malaysian operator to win the Reliability Experience award. It also won the Consistent Quality award with 67.3% of tests, closely followed by Digi with 67.1%. Since the last report, Maxis’ Consistent Quality score has improved by 11 percentage points.

U Mobile, despite being a smaller operator, has announced plans to build Malaysia's second 5G network, aiming to rival the first built by DNB. The decision follows government approval for a second 5G network in a move to end the monopoly previously held by DNB. U Mobile has chosen Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE as technology partners for this project.

The enterprise-grade 5G network will support 5G Advanced and network slicing from day one, enabling tailored services for industries like healthcare, transport, and smart cities. U Mobile’s rollout emphasises improved indoor 5G coverage and prioritises key locations such as transport hubs, medical centres and data centres. U Mobile has stated it will continue working with DNB to ensure quality of service during the transition.

Unifi Mobile is a Malaysian internet mobile network operator and a subsidiary of the national telephone company, Telekom Malaysia. Unifi performed well in the recent Opensignal report, winning the 5G Download Speed Award with speeds of 290.3 Mbps. In the previous report, there had been a three-way tie but Unifi has now emerged as the sole winner. Unifi also won the 5G Video Experience Award with a score of 77.7 on a 100-point scale, more than two points higher than Digi.

Yes Mobile is operated by YTL Communications Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of YTL Corporation Berhad, a leading Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate. Launched in November 2010, Yes Mobile was the fifth mobile operator in Malaysia and distinguished itself by deploying an all-IP, all-4G network from the outset.

In December 2021, Yes Mobile became the first operator in Malaysia to launch 5G services, branded as Yes FT5G. This rollout was facilitated through a partnership with DNB. Yes Mobile's 5G services initially covered areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Cyberjaya.

The Yes network is built with an all-IP architecture, making it the first and only all-4G and all-IP network provider in Malaysia capable of offering unique services such as user ID-based unified communications and session concurrency for mobile data and telephony services. Yes operates its own network infrastructure in Malaysia, with close to 5,000 base stations and an all-4G network footprint reaching over 85% of the population.

As Malaysia continues to expand its 5G infrastructure, mobile operators are in active competition and are poised to integrate next-generation technologies into their offerings.

Related Posts: 

• Private Networks Technology Blog: ZTE's Award-Winning Minimalist Private 5G-A Solution
• Operator Watch Blog: Malaysia is a Land of Competition with Plenty of Mobile Networks to Choose from
• Telecoms Infrastructure Blog: Malaysia Looks at Small Cells for 5G
• Operator Watch Blog: Malaysia Decides on Innovative Approach for 5G Spectrum 

How South Africa’s Mobile Operators Are Shaping the Future of Connectivity

South Africa has one of the most dynamic and competitive mobile telecommunications markets on the African continent. With millions of subscribers and evolving infrastructure, the country's mobile operators play a crucial role in driving connectivity, digital inclusion and economic growth.

Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were 124 million cellular mobile connections in South Africa at the beginning of 2025. For perspective, many individuals make use of more than one mobile connection, so it is not unusual for mobile connection figures to significantly exceed the total population. For example, the same person might have one connection for personal use and another for work. The rise of eSIMs has made this even easier in recent years.

GSMA Intelligence’s numbers indicate that mobile connections in South Africa were equivalent to 193 percent of the total population in January 2025. Looking at trends over time, the number of mobile connections increased by 5.2 million (4.4 percent) between the start of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.

Meanwhile, GSMA Intelligence data suggests that 97.5 percent of mobile connections in South Africa can now be considered broadband, which means they connect via 3G, 4G or 5G networks.

However, devices connected to broadband mobile networks do not necessarily use mobile data. For instance, some subscription plans may only include access to voice and SMS services. Therefore, this broadband figure should not be considered a proxy for mobile internet usage.

South Africa's main mobile operators are Vodacom and MTN, the dominant players, with Vodacom holding the largest share, followed by MTN, Telkom and Cell C.

In Opensignal’s latest analysis of the mobile network landscape in South Africa, MTN leads in seven out of 13 metrics, including Download Speed Experience, 5G Availability, and 5G Video and Games Experience. Vodacom achieves top scores in Consistent Quality, 5G Download Speed, 5G Upload Speed, Coverage and 5G Coverage Experience, followed by Cell C and Telkom.

Vodacom South Africa, the country’s largest operator, reported 50.7 million mobile subscribers at the end of December 2024. It has introduced a cloud-based phone to reduce the cost of smartphone access and to accelerate the migration of customers from legacy networks to modern 4G services on what it describes as the country’s most reliable network.

The device, manufactured by South African firm Mobicel, is intended to lower the barrier to smartphone use and to encourage users to move from 2G or 3G to 4G. The Mobicel S4 4G Cloud Phone is a thin-client device with 48MB RAM, 128MB ROM, a 2.8-inch screen and a 1000mAh battery. It relies on the cloud to run applications typically associated with more powerful smartphones, such as YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. Vodacom describes this as a 'smartphone lite' experience. The device is not exclusive to Vodacom and is priced at R249, or approximately US$13.93.

Vodacom was the first operator in South Africa to launch mobile 5G services in May 2020, starting with selected areas in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. This early deployment was enabled by temporary emergency spectrum allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initial performance across the first five 5G clusters in Gauteng showed average download speeds of 154 Mbps, upload speeds of 14 Mbps and latency of around 31 ms, a strong starting point for next-generation connectivity.

Today, Vodacom’s 5G network covers over 50 percent of the South African population, with continued expansion. The company is investing approximately R10 billion annually into its network, focusing on optimising existing infrastructure, deploying new spectrum for improved coverage and capacity, and building new sites to extend its national footprint.

Vodacom has also announced increased investment in the Free State and Northern Cape provinces to enhance network speed and signal quality, particularly in rural areas.

MTN's official quarterly update for the end of September 2024 put its total users in South Africa at 39.2 million.

MTN South Africa launched its commercial 5G network on June 30, 2020, activating 100 sites across major cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth. 

More recently MTN, in partnership with Huawei, successfully completed South Africa’s first 5.5G network trial at MTN’s head office in Johannesburg.

The trial featured Huawei’s SingleRAN ultra-wideband active-antenna units, combining hybrid beam-forming technology with flexible dynamic beam management and inter-FR carrier aggregation to push network performance to the next level. Using spectrum in both the millimetre wave and C-band, made available through a trial license, the test ran on a 5G standalone (SA) setup. MTN reported a peak download speed of 8.6Gbps during the trial, showcasing the future potential of next-gen connectivity.

5.5G, often viewed as a stepping stone between 5G and 6G, promises 10 times the performance of current 5G networks. This includes dramatic improvements in speed, latency, and massive IoT capacity, all while reducing energy consumption per terabyte of data transferred.

MTN has also launched the Icon 5G smartphone with ZTE, priced at just 2,499 rand, or about $138.This move is another strategic effort to bring next-generation mobile technology within reach for more South Africans. The affordably priced Icon 5G smartphone is designed to accelerate the transition from legacy 2G and 3G networks to faster, more efficient 4G and 5G connectivity. As the country pushes forward with its digital transformation goals, MTN’s partnership with ZTE highlights the growing importance of global tech collaborations. By delivering faster internet speeds and lower latency, MTN is addressing the needs of a market that’s hungry for reliable, cost-effective internet, playing a key role in narrowing the digital divide.

In the latest Open Signal Report MTN wins the 5G Availability award, with the 5G users on its network connecting to 5G on average for 11.5% of the time. Having superfast 5G download speeds are only useful when users have a 5G connection. 5G Availability compares the amount of time the 5G users spend with an active 5G connection, the higher the percentage, the more time users on a network spend connected to 5G.

MTN has also announced plans to invest more than $100 million by mid-2024 in generators, batteries, and renewable energy solutions. This effort aims to mitigate the impact of ongoing power outages, ensuring network stability and service continuity despite South Africa’s persistent energy challenges.

Telkom South Africa is seeing significant growth in its mobile subscribers, and is edging closer to the country's two biggest operators, Vodacom and MTN.

Telkom has also announced plans to sell its tower infrastructure, joining rivals MTN South Africa and Cell C in this strategic shift to focus on core business operations. With this move, Vodacom will be the only major mobile operator in South Africa that continues to own its tower infrastructure. This trend reflects a broader industry focus on streamlining business operations by offloading non-core assets.

These plans reflects the company's enhanced operational efficiency and successful monetization of its digital infrastructure asset base. according to Serame Taukobong, Group Chief Executive Officer:

“Our continued investment in our extensive fiber network and mobile infrastructure is now delivering the competitive advantage we anticipated, propelling our data-led strategy to ensure future-readiness,”

 The operator's infrastructure investments continue to deliver significant operational results. Mobile subscribers grew by 24.6% year-on-year, surpassing 22.7 million, while mobile data subscribers increased by 19.6% to 14.6 million, driving a 12.7% rise in data revenues. Openserve’s fiber infrastructure also showed strong performance, with homes passed and connected growing by 11.4% and 18.1%, respectively, maintaining a market-leading home connection rate of 49.7%. Additionally, IT revenues sustained steady growth, highlighting the effectiveness of the company's connect-led strategy.

The smallest of the South Africa operators Cell C has been trying to increase their market share, but only had 7.7 million mobile subscribers at the end of May 2024.

According to the latest Open Signal Report Cell C users have seen the biggest increases across Overall Experience metrics compared to the last report. The quality of experience streaming on-demand video on Cell C has improved by 25%, while the average download and upload speeds have grown by 30% and 53%, respectively. These improvements are particularly significant given that Cell C has not been investing in its own network infrastructure due to severe financial difficulties in recent years. These challenges led to the company's recapitalization and the establishment of new wholesale and roaming agreements with MTN and Vodacom.

As part of this transition, Cell C deactivated its physical tower network and Radio Access Network (RAN). MTN now provides Cell C with a virtual radio access network for its prepaid and mobile virtual network operator subscribers, while Cell C’s contract customers roam on Vodacom’s network. However, Cell C continues to use its own spectrum and retains full control over the customer experience. Additionally, Cell C is currently testing 5G with network partners Vodacom and MTN, with plans to launch it soon.

Cell C has spent the past 18 months deploying a Mocn – multi-operator network core – roaming system, which has allowed it to create a virtual representation of its network on top of either MTN or Vodacom’s infrastructure.

We can clearly see with the ongoing investments from major operators, a great deal of progress is being made and 5G has the potential to bridge the digital divide, drive economic growth, and position South Africa as a leader in next-generation connectivity on the African continent.

Related Posts: 

• Operator Watch Blog: South African MNO, Cell C, is Transitioning from Telco to Techco
• Operator Watch Blog: High Data Prices in South Africa means Great 4G coverage but Poor Subscription Rates
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Rogers, Bell, Telus... and Freedom? Mapping the Future of Canadian Mobile

The Canadian telecommunications market continues to experience steady growth as operators focus on network upgrades. A significant portion of their investments has been directed toward LTE infrastructure to meet the increasing consumer demand for mobile data services, alongside further investments in 5G technology. Regulatory initiatives have supported these investment efforts by ensuring operators have access to the necessary spectrum for 5G development. Spectrum in the 600MHz and 3.5GHz bands has already been auctioned, with additional auctions planned through 2024. Notably, in the 3.5GHz band, the regulator allocated 50MHz exclusively for new entrants to foster competition in the wireless market.

Mobile penetration in Canada remains relatively low compared to global standards, providing substantial growth potential. Canada is the world’s second largest country by area, and all that space leaves cell phone coverage stretched pretty thin. Less than 30 percent of Canada’s geographic area is covered by Bell, Rogers, or Telus. Much of the Canadian landscape is sparsely populated, and those areas tend to have less service. However Canadians enjoy extensive LTE and LTE-A infrastructure, with major operators achieving approximately 99% population coverage despite geographical challenges and the remoteness of certain areas. In the 5G segment, Telus and Bell Wireless were early adopters, with Shaw Communications joining the field in May 2018. Currently, operators offer 5G coverage to around 70% of the population.

To promote competition, the government has reserved specific spectrum blocks for new market entrants and restricted agreements among operators that would lead to regional or national spectrum concentration. For instance, about 43% of the spectrum auctioned in the 600MHz band has been set aside for smaller operators to encourage a more competitive market landscape.

One of the most significant developments in promoting competition came from the Rogers–Shaw merger, which led to the divestiture of Freedom Mobile to Quebecor-owned Vidéotron. This move was mandated by regulators to preserve market competitiveness and has positioned Freedom as the fourth national carrier. Under new ownership, Freedom Mobile now benefits from enhanced spectrum holdings and access to national roaming agreements, enabling it to expand its reach beyond traditional strongholds in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. With new pricing strategies and 5G rollout plans, Freedom is emerging as a more formidable alternative to the Big Three, especially in urban markets.

Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were 40.44 million cellular mobile connections in Canada at the start of 2024. However, note that many people around the world make use of more than one mobile connection – for example, they might have one connection for personal use, and another one for work – so it’s not unusual for mobile connection figures to significantly exceed figures for total population.

GSMA Intelligence’s numbers indicate that mobile connections in Canada were equivalent to 103.8 percent of the total population in January 2024. The number of mobile connections in Canada increased by 1.8 million (+4.7 percent) between the start of 2023 and the start of 2024.

According the most recent OpenSignal report on Canada: mobile operator Rogers continues to win the most awards, either joint or outright, taking home five total wins. Not only does Rogers win both national awards for consistency, Reliability Experience and Consistent Quality, it also does well regionally, topping the leaderboard for Consistent Quality and Reliability Experience in five and six provinces, respectively.

In terms of awards won, Bell is hot on Rogers’ heels, just one total win separates the two. Bell performs especially well for the two coverage metrics, both nationally and regionally. Bell is a joint winner for Coverage Experience in all seven regions examined and shares the top spot for Availability in all but British Columbia. Telus wins two awards this time around, both joint victories with Bell, and performs well regionally for Games Experience, Download Speed Experience and Coverage Experience.

Bell has Canada’s largest 4G network, meaning customers are unlikely to fall back to 3G coverage.

Most of Bell’s coverage focuses on Canada’s major urban centres: every big city in the country is blanketed by the network. Alberta and Saskatchewan are particularly well-represented by Bell’s coverage.

Outside of their cell phone network, Bell also has customers covered with more than 4,000 Wifi hotspots across the country. The company’s wireless signal can be found in every province, although more remote areas have little to no coverage.

Bell Canada uses the 20–80 MHz and 10–100 MHz bands for its 5G network. Bell 5G+ is Bell's next-generation 5G network, which uses the 3500 MHz spectrum.  Bell 5G+ is available to over 51% of the Canadian population and is expected to be fully deployed in the coming years. Bell claims that its 5G network is the fastest in Canada, with average download speeds of 158.7 Mbps.

Rogers’ network covers less than 20% of Canada by area but but reaches 97 percent of the country’s population, thanks to prominent placement in all major urban centres. Its biggest weak point is its limited coverage in the country’s less densely populated provinces, namely the Maritimes and the Territories.

Rogers Communications launched Canada's first 5G network in January 2020, initially deploying in major cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Partnering with Ericsson, Rogers has since expanded its 5G coverage to over 2,200 communities, reaching 31 million Canadians and providing more coverage than any other 5G network in the country. In December 2020, Rogers began rolling out its standalone (SA) 5G core network in select markets, enhancing network capabilities and performance. By March 2022, it claimed the first commercial 5G SA launch in Canada. 

The company has also been at the forefront of technological advancements, conducting the first successful test of 5G network slicing in Canada in early 2023, with plans for commercial deployment to support various applications. 

Rogers utilizes a range of frequency bands for its 5G services, including 600MHz (n71), 2.5GHz (n41), and 3.5GHz (n78), to balance coverage and capacity.  In June 2022, the company activated its 3500MHz 5G services, further enhancing network performance.  Additionally, in November 2023, Rogers secured nationwide 3.8GHz spectrum in Canada's third 5G spectrum auction, positioning the company for future network enhancements. 

The company's commitment to expanding and enhancing its 5G network underscores its dedication to providing Canadians with reliable and advanced wireless services. Rogers said it has invested over CAD 40 billion in its networks over the last decade, including CAD 4 billion in capital investments in 2024. 

Many Canadians may not realize that Bell and Telus use the same cell phone towers across the country. That means Telus’ coverage also reaches every province, every urban area in Canada, and 99% of the population.

Telus’ Mobility network typically performs slightly faster than Bell’s, so Telus has a reputation for reliability. Telus covers 28.8% of Canada by area –the same as Bell and nearly 10 percent higher than Rogers.

Telus launched its 5G network in 2020 and has since expanded coverage to major markets like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. The company has partnered with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung to build its 5G infrastructure. Telus’ 5G Standalone (SA) network, introduced in 2023, offers enhanced speeds, reduced latency, and new opportunities for smart city applications and IoT solutions.

Canada’s mobile operators are working tirelessly to expand and improve their networks, with a significant focus on 5G technology. Rogers, Bell, and Telus lead the market in terms of coverage and technological advancements, while smaller operators like Freedom Mobile and Videotron provide competitive alternatives in select regions. As 5G continues to evolve, Canadians can look forward to faster speeds, more reliable connections, and innovative applications that enhance everyday life

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• Operator Watch Blog: GenAI at Telus
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Kuwait's Telecom Triumph: A Competitive Race to the 5G Frontier

Kuwait boasts a well-developed telecom infrastructure, particularly in mobile networks and services. The telecom sector plays a vital role in the country's economy, and its significance is expected to grow in the coming years as Kuwait strategically shifts from an oil and gas-dependent economy to one centred on knowledge, ICT, and related services.

Data from GSMA Intelligence shows that there were 7.89 million cellular mobile connections in Kuwait at the start of 2024. However, note that many people around the world make use of more than one mobile connection – for example, they might have one connection for personal use, and another one for work – so it’s not unusual for mobile connection figures to significantly exceed figures for total population.

GSMA Intelligence’s numbers indicate that mobile connections in Kuwait were equivalent to 182.2 percent of the total population in January 2024. The number of mobile connections in Kuwait increased by 279 thousand (+3.7 percent) between the start of 2023 and the start of 2024.

Kuwait has three mobile operators: Ooredoo, Zain and STC. The top two mobile operators, Ooredoo and Zain , accounted for 67.5% share of overall mobile subscriptions in 2023.

In Opensignal's latest analysis of Kuwait’s mobile network experience, Zain has emerged as the leading operator, winning 11 out of 13 awards this time — either jointly or outright. Zain claims outright victory in five categories, including Consistent Quality, Reliability Experience, 5G Download Speed and 5G Video Experience, while Ooredoo continues to lead outright in overall download and upload speeds, while sharing the top spot with Zain in four award categories, including Availability — the proportion of time users spend connected to mobile broadband services — for which all three operators are closely matched.

Ooredoo Kuwait, formerly Wataniya, emerged as the second mobile operator in the country, introducing competition and driving innovation within the sector. Ooredoo provides comprehensive nationwide coverage, with a particularly strong presence in urban areas. The company has invested heavily in its 4G LTE network and is aggressively expanding its 5G infrastructure. They are working with Huawei to move toward the ‘5.5G’, or 5G-Advanced, era by upgrading their core networks across key markets.

Ooredoo is known for its competitive data plans and generally good network quality. Users often praise their data speeds, particularly in urban centres, and their commitment to providing value for money. Ooredoo offers a diverse range of services designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers. 

Zain, originally known as MTC, is a trailblazer in mobile telecommunications in Kuwait and has grown into a leading regional operator with a presence across the Middle East and Africa.

Zain provides comprehensive nationwide coverage, reaching even the most remote areas of Kuwait. The company is a leader in network technology, offering extensive 4G LTE services and rapidly advancing its 5G infrastructure. Renowned for its superior network quality, Zain consistently earns praise for its fast data speeds, clear call quality, and minimal downtime.

Zain Kuwait began deploying 5G networks in 2018. After two years of development, 5G services have entered a phase of rapid growth. The user base continues to expand significantly, with a steady increase in the proportion of 5G traffic. This growth has driven positive revenue and profit gains for the operator.

Zain Kuwait has achieved a 5G subscriber penetration rate of 23%, with the average data usage (DOU) of its 5G users being five times higher than that of its 4G users.

Zain was the first operator to commercialize 5G networks in Kuwait. Zain provided the most extensive 5G coverage and best services owing to its focus on network construction. Zain has reached 100 percent coverage within six months of the commercial launch.

STC Kuwait, formerly Viva, entered the market as the third mobile operator, further intensifying competition and providing consumers with more choices. STC has been rapidly expanding its network, achieving nationwide coverage in a relatively short time. The company has been focusing on deploying 4G LTE and is actively rolling out its 5G network.

The mobile market in Kuwait is fiercely competitive, with Zain, Ooredoo, and STC actively competing for customer loyalty. This competitive landscape benefits consumers, as operators are compelled to offer appealing data plans, innovative services, and ongoing improvements to network quality and coverage. The recent introduction of 5G has heightened the rivalry, with each provider aiming to deliver the fastest speeds and the most advanced mobile experience.

Related Posts: 

• Operator Watch Blog: The Many Firsts of STC Kuwait
• Operator Watch Blog: Kuwait Leading the way on 5G
• Operator Watch Blog: Zain Achieves Goal of 5G Leadership in Middle East & Africa Region
• Operator Watch Blog: VIVA Officially Rebrands to its Parent STC