Qatar has been ranked the second-healthiest telecom market in the world, behind only the UAE, in the inaugural Kearney Global Telecom Health Index, which evaluates the performance and resilience of telecom sectors across 34 markets.

The index assesses markets across five key dimensions - financial performance, commercial ability, technology deployment, business environment and customer sentiment - using 20 different metrics. Qatar’s strong position reflects its advanced telecom infrastructure, investment environment and positive customer experience.

With two national mobile operators, Qatar ranks among the world’s top five markets for technology deployment  and second globally for customer sentiment. Kearney said markets with effective investment and strong network quality can create a “virtuous cycle,” where customer satisfaction and financial returns support continued infrastructure development.

The study also found that telecom market health is not determined by economic strength or technological advancement alone. Major economies and highly connected markets, including the US, South Korea and Singapore, were held back in the rankings by factors such as customer satisfaction and financial returns, highlighting the importance of balancing investment, competition and customer outcomes.