AI-generated illustration
Fresh testing data on Saudi mobile coverage shows distinct operational strengths across the Kingdom’s telecom sector. The 2026 coverage barometer released by nPerf, based on testing between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026, places Mobily at the top of national 5G coverage with a score of 67.23%. stc follows in second place at 60.30%, creating a national gap of 6.93 points, while Zain ranks third with 53.79%.
Mobily achieved its lead by securing 58.47% geographical coverage and 75.99% population coverage on 5G. In comparison, stc recorded 49.15% geographical and 71.44% population coverage, while Zain posted 42.79% geographical and 64.80% population coverage.
National 5G Results and Saudi Mobile Coverage Dynamics
In the 4G segment, the competition is virtually tied between the two leading operators. Mobily recorded a 4G coverage score of 94.92%, edging out stc at 94.03% by a narrow margin of 0.89 points. Mobily achieved 92.89% geographical and 96.96% population coverage, while stc posted 91.31% geographical and 96.76% population coverage. Zain followed with a 4G score of 83.11%, based on 77.69% geographical and 88.52% population coverage, reflecting differences in mobile devices connectivity across wider territories.
Regional Splits: stc Wins More Regions as Mobily Takes Mega-Cities
A closer look at regional data reveals that leadership depends heavily on geography. stc took first place in more detailed regions for 5G, leading in Eastern Province (66.46% versus Mobily’s 60.02%), Qassim (52.37% versus Mobily’s 42.48%), Asir (53.50% versus Mobily’s 50.43%), and Jazan (74.22% versus Zain’s 55.75% and Mobily’s 54.04%).
However, Mobily secured the country’s most populous administrative areas. In Riyadh, Mobily achieved a 5G score of 72.51% ahead of stc’s 64.89% and Zain’s 58.79%. In Makkah, Mobily reached 77.92% compared to stc’s 70.06% and Zain’s 62.77%. Mobily also led Madinah with 52.32% against stc’s 43.50% and Zain’s 42.53%. The comparison demonstrates how Saudi mobile coverage splits along regional lines rather than following a single national winner.
Zain’s Localised Outliers and Overall Standing
Zain ranked third nationally across both generations, but produced specific local exceptions. In Tabuk, Zain won the 5G category with 46.45%, slightly ahead of stc’s 45.37% and Mobily’s 36.13%, though this occurred on a smaller sample size. In 4G testing, Zain took first place in Hail with 96.11% and Najran with 95.55%, outpacing stc and Mobily in those specific territories.
How to Read the nPerf Measurement Data
Evaluating Saudi mobile coverage requires looking beyond headline figures to examine regional performance. The nPerf barometer relies on crowdsourced, Android-only measurements geolocated to 400-to-600-metre parcels. Each operator’s score is calculated solely on parcels visited by its own subscribers, reflecting where those users live and travel. Coverage scores combine equal parts geographical and device-weighted population coverage; they do not measure download speed, upload speed, or latency.
Furthermore, detailed regional reporting applies only to areas with at least 1,000 active test devices. Among these qualifying regions, Makkah recorded the highest regional average 5G coverage at 70.2%, while Tabuk posted the lowest at 42.6%. This expanding infrastructure contributes directly to the Kingdom’s broader digital economy.
“This barometer reflects genuine momentum in network development across Saudi Arabia, where operators compete to provide users with a better connectivity experience.”
Sebastien de Rosbo, General Manager of nPerf
