Connectivity
The following graph shows the average daily disconnection time, that is the minutes during which users have no mobile coverage or only have access to emergency calls. This reflects the quality and stability of each operator's network. It also shows the distribution of time users spend connected to 4G and 5G networks. As 2G and 3G technologies are dismantled to free up spectrum, operators are focusing their efforts on consolidating 4G coverage and expanding and optimising the 5G network nationwide. More information at Methodology – Connectivity.
Saudi Arabia | 06/2025 - 09/2025In terms of disconnection time, STC shows the best performance, with an average of 14 minutes of disconnection per day. It is followed by Mobily, with 20 minutes, and Zain, with 22 minutes per day.
STC offers the widest 4G and 5G coverage, ensuring network availability 94% of the time. Mobily and Zain follow with 93% and 89% respectively, both with solid performance and continuous progress in expanding coverage nationwide.
5G Penetration and Usage
Saudi Arabia began preparing for the introduction of 5G at an early stage. In 2018, a team specialising in 5G enablement was set up, bringing together experts from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Mobile Operators (STC, Mobily and Zain) and major equipment manufacturers. The first 5G trials were conducted in May 2018 as part of this national collaboration.
The commercial deployment of 5G technology began in 2019:
- STC launched it in June 2019 in five major cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina and Dammam), covering more than 35% of the population in those areas. By 2020, the service had expanded to 75 cities across the country.
- Zain launched its network in October 2019.
- Mobily began offering 5G later that year.
By the end of 2020, 5G coverage had reached 51 cities. Between 2022 and 2023, Mobily conducted 5G SA trials using carrier aggregation (CA) to further improve speed and capacity. In November 2024, the CST held a spectrum auction to expand the deployment of 5G SA, allocating the 3.8-4.0 GHz band for macrocellular networks. Saudi Arabia also became the first country in ITU Region 1 to allocate the 600 MHz band, improving 5G coverage in rural and indoor areas.
As of 2025, Zain has begun rolling out its 5G Standalone (SA) commercial network using shared spectrum, with launch scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025 in Riyadh and Jeddah.
The following charts show, by operator, the percentage of users with access to 5G, the percentage of time they have 5G coverage, and the percentage of active 5G usage (excluding 5G NSA). Full details on the methodology are provided in Methodology - 5G Penetration and Usage.
Saudi Arabia | 06/2025 - 09/2025The percentage of 5G clients in Saudi Arabia is noteworthy, with STC and Zain tied for the highest share at 31%, while Mobily follows closely behind with 27%.
In terms of 5G coverage availability, Zain offers the highest proportion, with users under 5G coverage 88% of the time. STC follows with 55%, while Mobily offers coverage 37% of the time.
When a user connects to a 5G network, the connection can be Stand Alone (5G SA, pure 5G) or Non Stand Alone (5G NSA, 5G supported by the LTE network). Users connected via 5G NSA can use only the LTE portion of the network (even if their device shows a 5G connection) or both LTE and 5G. The type of connection depends mainly on usage and network capacity, with 5G being prioritised for activities that require high data consumption, such as streaming, video calls and online gaming, while 4G handles less demanding tasks, such as messaging or light web browsing. In terms of active 5G usage, Mobily users spend 65% of their time on the 5G network. STC follows with 38%, while Zain users spend 26% of their time connected to 5G.
4G and 5G Network Status
Network performance is primarily evaluated using two key indicators: signal strength and signal quality. Although each technology has specific measurements, results can generally be classified into five levels, ranging from ‘Very Good’ to ‘Very Degraded’. The results are analysed both in terms of percentage of area and percentage of events. Most measurements are collected in urban areas, where coverage is typically better; however, in most countries, the majority of the territory consists of non-urban areas. As a result, the percentage of area with network problems may differ from the percentage of measurements reflecting problematic network situations.
In order to ensure a fair comparison between operators, only areas where all operators have data have been analysed. Detailed definitions and thresholds for each category are provided in Methodology - 4G and 5G Network Status.
Saudi Arabia | 06/2025 - 09/2025When looking at the measurements rather than the area, the overall picture is quite similar.
Zain performs best, with 29% of measurements rated as Fair, 38% as Good, and 8% as Very Good. Mobily follows closely with 29% Fair, 35% Good, and 7% Very Good, while STC shows 31% Fair, 34% Good, and 5% Very Good.
These results indicate that, across measured locations, all operators maintain a solid level of network performance, with a significant portion of measurements falling into the higher-quality categories.
Call type percentage
Although 2G and 3G networks support basic data services, the development of 4G and 5G has largely relegated these technologies to voice calls.
However, not all customers can take full advantage of VoLTE (Voice over LTE) calls, as several conditions must be met:
- The mobile network operator (MNO) must provide both 4G and VoLTE services.
- The user must have a device that supports VoLTE and a mobile plan that includes VoLTE.
- The device must be certified by both the MNO and the manufacturer for VoLTE use.
The third condition means that a customer may be able to use VoLTE with one operator but not with another without changing their device. When a 4G-connected user without VoLTE capability attempts a call, the network initiates a handover to 2G or 3G, depending on the implementation. This handover is typically handled via CSFB (Circuit-Switched Fallback), which is the most common method, or SRVCC (Single Radio Voice Call Continuity).
Additionally, VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) is available when the user is connected to a Wi-Fi network, allowing voice calls to be routed over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network.
Saudi Arabia | 06/2025 - 09/2025VoLTE is the technology most used by Zain customers, with at least 84% of calls using this technology. STC follows with 81% and Mobily with 78%.
Network Latency
Latency measures the time it takes for information to travel between a user's device and the network. Lower latency translates to a faster, smoother experience, while higher latency can cause noticeable delays or even render the network unusable. For this reason, latency is a key indicator of overall user experience. It is classified into four main categories — Excellent, Good, Degraded, and Poor — as explained in Methodology - Network Latency.
Saudi Arabia | 06/2025 - 09/2025There are notable differences in latency performance between operators. Mobily performs best, with 76 % of its measurements rated as good or excellent. STC follows with 66 %, while Zain records 36 % of measurements in these top categories.
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