Cullen International’s newly updated NGA deployments benchmark shows that all of the 13 studied countries in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) have started to deploy fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. In some countries, investment in FTTH networks has been supported by the state, while in others the private sector contributed significantly.
In all countries except Jordan, fixed incumbents are still partially or fully owned by the state. These operators lead the implementation of national broadband policies, including the deployment of FTTH networks.
Some countries took further steps to support FTTH deployment, such as Bahrain and Oman, where the state supported the establishment of national fibre companies to enhance FTTH deployment.
In Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Türkiye, the private sector significantly contributed to FTTH deployment.
FTTH coverage by operators varies between countries. For instance, Bnet in Bahrain decommissioned its copper network so that it now provides only a broadband and fibre network. Some operators in Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates achieved more than 90% household coverage while in other countries operators are still in an early stage of FTTH deployment.
Wholesale-only FTTH network operators exist in seven MENA countries, with some of those operators privately owned while others were supported or established by the state.
Find additional details and information in our benchmark on NGA deployment by operators in 13 MENA countries: Click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our MENA Telecoms service.
more news
22 January 26
Digital Networks Act (DNA) proposal: great ambitions, moderate means
An EU-level authorisation regime for satellite services, a new EU access product, a voluntary “conciliation process” on IP interconnection disputes and a focus on network resilience are among the main innovations proposed under the Digital Networks Act.
22 January 26
Revised Cybersecurity Act (CSA2) - European Commission proposes mandatory phase-out of high-risk vendors from 5G networks
This is Cullen International's initial report on the European Commission's proposal for a revised Cybersecurity Act (CSA2). A more in-depth analysis will follow shortly.
21 January 26
EU Timeline: regulatory milestones for the first half of 2026
This edition of Cullen International’s EU Timeline highlights key policy and regulatory developments foreseen at EU level until mid-2026.