By : Bakinam Khaled – Ahmed Helmy

A new report by Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) ConsumerLab highlights the impact that 5G is already having on smartphone users worldwide including the GCC and what they expect the technology to deliver in the future. Indoor coverage is one of the focus areas to emerge from the consumer research, with one-in-five 5G users already reducing Wi-Fi use on their phones indoors because of the benefits of 5G mobile connectivity.

The report - Five Ways to a Better 5G - is the result of the largest global 5G consumer study to date. Covering consumer sentiment and perception in 26 markets - including Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates - the Ericsson ConsumerLab study methodology is representative of 1.3 billion smartphone users globally, including 220 million 5G subscribers.

The report explores key trends behind the adoption, use and perception of consumers with and towards 5G. In Saudi Arabia, early adopters of 5G are satisfied with the speed, and 60 percent want more innovative apps and services. The report also finds that there was a 7 percent increase from March 2019 to December 2020 regarding consumer intention to upgrade to 5G. Additionally, 25 percent of consumers in Saudi Arabia have a 5G device but are still on a 4G subscription

highlighting a readiness to embrace the technology. In Oman, 20 percent of respondents affirm having a 5G phone but are still on a 4G network. Another key report finding reveals that in Oman, 35 percent of 5G potential users are expecting innovative data offerings from a 5G plan.

In Qatar, the report finds that more users are satisfied with 5G compared to 4G. 13 percent of respondents in Qatar have a 5G phone but are on a 4G network highlighting broader consumer readiness for the technology. The early adopters in Qatar are satisfied with network performance and 47 percent want more innovative apps and services.

In the UAE, the report found that there has been a 6 percent increase from March 2019 to December 2020 in the intention to upgrade to 5G. Additionally, 24 percent of respondents in the UAE have a 5G phone but on a 4G network thereby highlighting broader consumer readiness for the technology. Another key report finding reveals early adopters in the UAE are satisfied with speed and 81 percent want more innovative apps and services.

A key report finding reveals 70% of current 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) users in Saudi Arabia are satisfied with the service. The report also highlights how 5G is already beginning to trigger new use behaviors. 5G early adopters in Saudi Arabia spend 3 hours more per week on live video streaming and 1.5 hours more on Augmented Reality (AR) apps than 4G users. 19 percent of users in Saudi Arabia reduced use of Wi-Fi at home and other locations after upgrading. In Oman, UAE and Qatar, early adopter 5G users spend an average of two hours more on cloud gaming and one hour more on augmented reality (AR) apps per week compared to 4G users.