In a significant achievement for the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia has secured the top position globally in the 2026 ICT Development Index (IDI), as reported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This index assesses the digital advancement of 159 economies, focusing on two primary pillars: universal connectivity and meaningful connectivity. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) attributes this success to the Kingdom's robust performance across both dimensions, highlighting the ongoing evolution of Saudi Arabia's telecommunications and technology landscape, bolstered by strong governmental support and an exceptional digital infrastructure.
The CST emphasized that this milestone not only reinforces Saudi Arabia's role as a leader in digital transformation but also reflects significant progress in its telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory framework, which have been pivotal in fostering the growth of the digital economy. As of the end of 2025, the Saudi communications and technology market reached a remarkable SR199 billion, showcasing a compound annual growth rate of 8% over the previous five years, positioning it as the largest and fastest-expanding market within the Middle East and North Africa region.
Internet and mobile phone penetration have both achieved an impressive 100% in the Kingdom, with median fixed broadband speeds soaring to 151 Mbps and median mobile internet speeds reaching 216 Mbps. This achievement in the ICT Development Index underscores Saudi Arabia's sustained digital progress and solidifies its status among the world's foremost digital economies.
The CST emphasized that this milestone not only reinforces Saudi Arabia's role as a leader in digital transformation but also reflects significant progress in its telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory framework, which have been pivotal in fostering the growth of the digital economy. As of the end of 2025, the Saudi communications and technology market reached a remarkable SR199 billion, showcasing a compound annual growth rate of 8% over the previous five years, positioning it as the largest and fastest-expanding market within the Middle East and North Africa region.
Internet and mobile phone penetration have both achieved an impressive 100% in the Kingdom, with median fixed broadband speeds soaring to 151 Mbps and median mobile internet speeds reaching 216 Mbps. This achievement in the ICT Development Index underscores Saudi Arabia's sustained digital progress and solidifies its status among the world's foremost digital economies.
Source: Saudi Gazette
