Saudi Arabia records 89% improvement in gaming latency as IoT subscriptions hit 13.85 million

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has witnessed an impressive 89 percent improvement in latency rates for its most popular electronic games, according to the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) in a report. This enhanced service quality and performance indicate that the country's digital infrastructure is well-prepared to handle the rising demand for internet usage, including gaming applications.

The CST's “Saudi Internet” report revealed that certain games exhibited exceptionally low latency rates, such as Teamfight Tactics and League of Legends, which reached 11 milliseconds, and Mobile Legends at 12 milliseconds. In terms of gaming platforms, smart devices led the way with 22.1 percent usage, followed closely by PlayStation at 21.8 percent.

The frequency of gaming sessions also played a significant role, with weekly gaming leading at 32.1 percent, intermittent gaming at 31 percent, and daily gaming at 29.2 percent. The Internet of Things (IoT) sector saw a substantial increase, with 13.85 million subscriptions recorded. Remarkably, population coverage in urban areas utilizing Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology reached nearly 99 percent, bolstered by over 30,000 towers.

Additionally, the adoption rate of IoT in homes was found to be 18 percent. These statistics underline how Saudi Arabia's digital landscape is well-equipped to sustain the growing internet usage, including electronic gaming and device-to-device connectivity applications. The Kingdom also stands out internationally, securing the top position globally in the International Telecommunication Union's 2025 Digital Readiness Index.