Smartphone
usage has shot up in the Middle East, and as of now, it has become one of the regions
with largest number of smartphone users in the world. For 2018, the number of smartphone users in
Middle East and Africa is estimated to reach 157.7 million. In the wake of this,
demand for mobile app developers Dubai is also expected to increase.
According
to a report from GSMA, the Middle East and North African region is
poised to be first in the world to launch commercial 5G networks. By 2025, there will be more than 50 million 5G
connections across this region. By then, 5G networks will have covered around
30% of the region’s population. Also, the report highlights that mobile
broadband 3G and 4G networks account for almost half of total number of mobile
connections, and are expected to increase to 70% by 2020.
“With rising mobile
broadband adoption, growing subscriber numbers and increasing smartphone use,
mobile is having an incredible impact on this diverse region, ushering in an
era of innovative tech startups and new mobile services, as well as helping to
connect the unconnected,” said Mats
Granryd, Director General, GSMA. “At
the same time, we urge operators to continue investment in 4G networks to
ensure future growth and encourage governments to set policies that promote
technological, social and economic progress to create a society where all
citizens can benefit from mobile technology.”
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will be among the first ones in the
world to launch commercial 5G networks. The combination
of high 4G adoption rates and government support is paving the way for 5G
development in the region. Telecom providers
Etisalat and Ooredoo are already conducting live 5G trails, and launches
expected with commercial services based on 3GPR release 15 in dense urban areas
in 2020.
At the end of 2016, mobile penetration in the region stands at 63%, which
is expected to grow by 65% by 2020 with the GCC markets approaching saturation
and less developed markets like Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and
Yemen struggling to connect more subscribers.
The report also mentions that the mobile industry contributed more than
$165 billion to the regional economy, expected to touch $200 billion. Back in
2016, the mobile industry also supported more than 1 million employees in the
region. Mobile industry in this region also makes a significant commitment to
the funding of the public sector with $20 billion raised through tax collection
in 2016.
Mobile services like online networking, video and internet business are
being consumed, because of the tremendous growth in smartphone adoption over
the region. Also, mobile OS has proved to be the best platforms for creating
new digital solutions. Consequently, there is a huge demand for mobile apps that is expected to
grow exponentially in coming years.
We can
already see businesses turning to best mobile app development companies for apps and allied solutions. The
report noted that mobile internet penetration has doubled across the region
over the last 6 years, reaching just under 40% penetration by mid-2017.
Executive
Vice-president and group president of Verizon Wireless, Ronan Dunne says:
“5G will enable more
than $12 trillion in global economic revenue, and supported 22 million jobs worldwide, by 2035. Because
of all the business 5G can drive, it may lead to more startups and expansion of
corporations in the Middle East region”.
Planning to get a mobile app for your
business?
Reach out to
FuGenX, the Top mobile app development company Dubai that provides all sorts of
mobility services across the Middle East.
