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ICT & Media🇦🇺 Australia

Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions

– Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology.

Australia Mobile Cellular SubscriptionsMillion · 2015–2024

32.53027.5252015: 25.77Trough2016: 26.552017: 26.662018: 27.642019: 27.972020: 27.012021: 27.292022: 28.682023: 29.762024: 30.07Peak20152017201920212024
Source: data.worldbank.orgLast updated: April 2026

What Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions shows

Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 30.07 Million in 2024, up 1% on 2023. Australia’s mobile cellular subscription trends from 2015 to 2024 reflect a stable and mature telecommunications market characterized by steady growth and high penetration. Subscription volumes increased from 25.77 million in 2015 to 30.07 million in 2024, demonstrating consistent expansion aligned with population growth and increasing digital usage.

Trend

Rising to a series high

Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 25.77 Million in 2015 to 30.07 Million in 2024 (+16.7%), an average of +1.7% a year. The series high was 30.07 Million in 2024 and the low 25.77 Million in 2015.

Volatility

A 14.3% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 4.30 Million. The sharpest single-year move was +5.1% in 2022.

Structure

Ranks 23 of 33 countries covered

Among the 33 countries in this dataset, Australia ranks 23 for 2024, behind China (1,870 Million) and India (1,150 Million). It accounts for 0.3% of the global total in 2024.

Full series

Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions, 2015–2024, Million.
YearMillionChange vs prior year
2024Peak 30.07 +1%
2023 29.76 +3.8%
2022 28.68 +5.1%
2021 27.29 +1%
2020 27.01 −3.4%
2019 27.97 +1.2%
2018 27.64 +3.7%
2017 26.66 +0.4%
2016 26.55 +3%
2015 Trough25.77 —

Regional context

How Australia compares in East Asia & Pacific

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by country, 2024, Million. Australia is highlighted.

1China
1,870
2Indonesia
347.3
3Philippines
133.6
4Thailand
115.1
5South Korea
89.22
6Malaysia
49.66
7Australia
30.07
8Singapore
9.96

About this indicator

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions — – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months).

The Australian telecom sector benefits from strong infrastructure, widespread 4G coverage, and ongoing 5G rollout, enabling high-quality connectivity and supporting data-intensive applications. High smartphone adoption and strong demand for mobile services such as streaming, cloud computing, and digital communication contribute to sustained subscription growth. The market exhibits saturation characteristics, with multiple subscriptions per user common due to personal and enterprise usage. Telecom operators continue to invest in network upgrades, spectrum acquisition, and digital innovation to enhance service quality and maintain competitiveness. Australia’s geographic challenges have also driven advancements in remote connectivity and network resilience. The telecom sector plays a critical role in supporting digital transformation across industries, including finance, healthcare, and education. Overall, the dataset highlights Australia as a stable and technologically advanced telecom market with steady growth, high penetration, and strong integration of mobile connectivity within the broader digital economy. This evolution is a testament to the nation’s ability to maintain a world-class communication network across a vast and diverse continent. The data underscores a society that has fully embraced the digital age, with a telecommunications framework that remains robust, reliable, and ready for the future. Australia stands as a global leader in providing high-quality mobile services, ensuring that its citizens remain connected to the global digital landscape. The dataset provides an inspiring look at a mature market that balances sustainability with cutting-edge technological excellence, maintaining its standing as a premier hub for digital transformation.

Indicator
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions
Country
Australia
Region
East Asia & Pacific
Unit
Million
Coverage
2015–2024, annual
Category
ICT & Media
Last updated
April 2026
Source
data.worldbank.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?

Definition – Mobile cellular subscriptions refer to subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using cellular technology. It includes both postpaid subscriptions and active prepaid SIM cards that have been used within a specified period (typically the last three months). Inclusions – The data includes all active mobile cellular subscriptions offering voice communication services, covering both prepaid and postpaid accounts. It encompasses subscriptions across analogue and digital cellular technologies (including 2G, 3G, and 4G systems) and is compiled from telecom operators and regulatory authorities, typically aggregated at the national level. Exclusions – The data excludes subscriptions used solely for mobile data services such as USB modems or data cards, as well as private trunked mobile radio, radio paging, telepoint systems, and telemetry services. It also does not capture inactive SIM cards or non-voice-based mobile connectivity services.

What was Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions in 2024?

Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 30.07 Million in 2024, up 1% on 2023.

How has Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions changed between 2015 and 2024?

Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 25.77 Million in 2015 to 30.07 Million in 2024 (+16.7%), an average of +1.7% a year. The series high was 30.07 Million in 2024 and the low 25.77 Million in 2015.

Which year had the highest and lowest Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?

The highest value was 30.07 Million in 2024 and the lowest was 25.77 Million in 2015.

Where does the Australia Mobile Cellular Subscriptions data come from?

The series is sourced from data.worldbank.org (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.CEL.SETS). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Million.

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