Today, strong network connectivity is recognised as a key driver of national development, with direct implications for investment, public services, and enterprise innovation. In the UAE, it has become critical to ambitions such as advancing digital government and enabling sustainable economic growth, as outlined in We the UAE 2031. Tracking progress in this area is vital for understanding how far those ambitions are being realised. Opensignal’s latest Mobile Network Experience Report, published in August 2025, captures how networks perform in practice, using insights from billions of user interactions.
Covering the period from April to June, the study measured 13 aspects of mobile experience, spanning download and upload speeds, video and gaming quality, coverage, and 5G performance. The UAE mobile market is served by two operators—e& and du—both of which continue to invest heavily in expanding capacity and rolling out next-generation services. In this context, Opensignal found e& to be the frontrunner in 12 categories, demonstrating strength in both speed and consistency nationwide. The report offers a valuable measure of how investments in networking innovations are translating into service quality and how well the UAE is positioned to deliver on its wider digital ambitions.
Beyond relying on lab simulations or operator-supplied figures, Opensignal analyses data captured directly from user devices, showing how networks perform in real-world conditions. That approach makes the findings especially relevant to both consumers and enterprises. In this case, the data shows e& delivering average download speeds of 56.2 Mbps and upload speeds of 11.6 Mbps. On experience-based indicators, the operator achieved a Video Experience score of 64.4—rated as “Good”—and a Games Experience score of 76.7, reflecting stable and responsive connections even in latency-sensitive environments.
e& stood out the most in reliability, recording a Reliability Experience score of 879 out of 1000 and leading in Consistent Quality with 66 percent, showing that strong performance was not confined to specific locations or times of day. For enterprises, this is particularly significant. As more organisations in the UAE move workloads to the cloud, adopt AI applications, or deploy IoT devices at scale, they require networks that are not only fast but dependable. The consistency reflected in Opensignal’s data suggests that the infrastructure is capable of supporting those ambitions.
The report also underscores the role of 5G in shaping the next phase of connectivity. e& registered average 5G download speeds of 272 Mbps and upload speeds of 28.1 Mbps, enabling a new class of mobile applications from immersive collaboration tools to augmented reality. On qualitative measures, the operator scored 69.9 for 5G Video and 84.6 for 5G Gaming, illustrating how high-capacity, low-latency services are already becoming part of the daily experience. Just as importantly, the network achieved a Coverage Experience score of 9.1 out of 10 and a 5G Coverage score of 5.4, indicating that advanced services are reaching beyond dense urban centres.
Competition in the UAE market remains tight. du edged ahead in Overall Availability, with 99.4 percent compared to e&’s 99.2 percent. While the difference is marginal, it reflects a market where both operators are continually investing in extending reach and resilience. For customers, whether individuals or enterprises, that competition translates into steadily rising standards across the sector.
Behind the performance metrics are infrastructure strategies that show how operators are preparing for the future. The company also became the first in the UAE to launch 5G network slicing, a technology that allows tailored connectivity for industries with specialised requirements, from energy to logistics. These moves demonstrate how the operator is looking beyond consumer markets to enable enterprise-grade digital services.
The Opensignal findings highlight how years of infrastructure investment are now translating into measurable outcomes. For users, the impact is visible in faster downloads, smoother streaming, and reliable day-to-day connectivity. For enterprises, the results signal a network environment capable of supporting new operating models built around cloud platforms, AI applications, and connected devices.
Ultimately, the report provides a snapshot of where the UAE stands on its connectivity journey. e& UAE came out on top in 12 of the 13 categories assessed, with consistently strong results in speed, reliability, and 5G experience. The data further reflects a market where competition is keeping standards high and investment ongoing. More than a ranking exercise, Opensignal’s findings offer a measure of how well infrastructure is delivering today—and how the UAE’s networks are positioned to support the country’s next wave of digital services and transformation.
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