An Ookla study has revealed that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, particularly Qatar, offer some of the best 5G roaming speeds globally, greatly improving the digital experience for visitors. The research, based on Speedtest Intelligence data, assessed mobile user experiences in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in 2024.
Karim Yaici, Lead Industry Analyst for the Middle East and Africa at Ookla, emphasized the importance of mobile connectivity for travelers, noting that 5G technology enables users to stay connected, navigate, access tourist information, and share experiences on social media, all while benefiting from high-speed internet and lag-free video calls.
The study found that visitors to Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait experienced top-tier 5G speeds, with median download speeds reaching 381.05 Mbps in Qatar, 374.60 Mbps in the UAE, and 240.37 Mbps in Kuwait. The research also showed that visitors from Austria, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong were the most likely to use 5G while roaming, while travelers from Pakistan, India, and Egypt were less likely to adopt 5G roaming.
In the UAE, over 37% of roaming users identified by Speedtest were from India, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Russia, and Hong Kong. However, their experiences varied, with Saudi Arabian and Russian visitors enjoying the fastest download speeds, particularly on 5G networks. Russian tourists, for instance, saw a threefold increase in download speeds compared to their home networks. Conversely, visitors from Austria, India, and Hong Kong experienced comparatively slower network performances.
The study also highlighted the rapid evolution of the GCC region into a global tourism and business hub. This growth is expected to continue, with the region’s travel and tourism market projected to generate $9.57 billion in revenue by 2029, up from an estimated $8.32 billion in 2025, at an annual growth rate of 3.56%. The expansion is driven by ongoing infrastructure investment, world-class amenities, and simplified visa policies, further enhancing the demand for seamless 5G connectivity.
As the GCC region continues to grow, mobile operators are positioning 5G roaming as a key revenue driver, underscoring the importance of high-speed connectivity for tourism and business development.