The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest human gatherings. This year, Saudi officials expect the number of pilgrims to exceed the 1.8 million recorded in 2023, approaching pre-pandemic levels — over 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage in 2019.
In this report, Opensignal will track the experience of our users in Mecca during this year’s Hajj, held from June 14 to 19, to assess how mobile networks handled the demand and whether 5G technology can provide better performance. We will focus on two key metrics: download throughput (rather than speed) and consistent quality to capture real-life user experience. Each day we will compare the metrics against the same day four weeks prior — when the network had a lighter load — to chart the change in performance.
Challenges to Mobile Networks During Hajj
Like any large event, the Hajj can present a challenge to mobile networks. Millions of pilgrims gather in a relatively small area, creating a high density of users that puts immense pressure on mobile networks, leading to potential congestion and service degradation. Pilgrims use their mobile devices to stay connected with family, navigate, and access information related to the pilgrimage. This results in a significant surge in data traffic, requiring networks to handle a much higher load than usual.
The role of 5G
The first commercial 5G network launched in Saudi Arabia in October 2019, and since then, operators have been focusing on expanding coverage and testing innovative use cases. The Saudi government also supports the 5G rollout as part of its Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. Enhanced connectivity is a crucial component of this vision, driving innovation and digital transformation.
Hajj provides the perfect challenge to see if 5G can prove more resilient under extreme conditions. As data consumption continues to grow, the need for advanced network capabilities becomes even more critical. 5G technology promises higher speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity, making it well-suited to handle the surge in data traffic and provide a more reliable connection for pilgrims. We will report whether this was indeed the case and how the 5G experience compares to 4G.
Download Throughput
Download Throughput measures the speed at which data can be downloaded using fixed file sizes. This test reflects common user activities like downloading a web page, an email attachment, or buffering a video. It provides insights into subscriber experience and quality of experience (QoE) and allows for detailed analysis, even in crowded settings. To use an analogy it's like seeing how fast you can fill a small cup with water. On the other hand, download speed measures stable speeds using a fixed time limit, capturing performance after the TCP ramp-up phase. Imagine you're filling a large tank with water, not just a small cup.
Consistent Quality
Consistent Quality measures how often users’ experience on a network was sufficient to support common applications’ requirements. It measures download speed, upload speed, latency, jitter, packet loss, time to first byte and the percentage of tests attempted which did not succeed due to a connectivity issue on either the download or server response component.
Excellent Consistent Quality
Excellent Consistent Quality measures the percentage of users’ tests meeting higher performance thresholds for activities like watching HD video, group video calls, and gaming. High scores here mean the network can handle heavy demand, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Core Consistent Quality
Core Consistent Quality focuses on how well the network supports basic, everyday tasks. It measures the percentage of users' tests that meet the minimum performance standards needed for lower-demand applications such as streaming standard-definition videos, making and receiving clear voice calls without interruption and browsing.
To see how Mecca’s experience compares with the rest of the Saudi Arabia, read the most recent mobile network experience report. Additionally, in July we will be publishing an in-depth analysis of the Hajj’s effect on users’ mobile experience.
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