Rising to a series high
Canada Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 29.77 Million in 2015 to 37.40 Million in 2024 (+25.6%), an average of +2.6% a year. The series high was 37.40 Million in 2024 and the low 29.77 Million in 2015.
– 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.
Canada Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 37.40 Million in 2024, up 1.1% on 2023. Canada's mobile cellular subscription between 2015 and 2024 stands as a monumental triumph of engineering and steady economic prosperity within one of the world's most challenging geographic landscapes. Over this transformative decade, the nation saw its subscription base expand from a robust 29.77 million in 2015 to an impressive 37.40 million in 2024, reflecting an unwavering commitment to universal connectivity.
Canada Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 29.77 Million in 2015 to 37.40 Million in 2024 (+25.6%), an average of +2.6% a year. The series high was 37.40 Million in 2024 and the low 29.77 Million in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 7.63 Million. The sharpest single-year move was −5.8% in 2020.
Among the 33 countries in this dataset, Canada ranks 22 for 2024, behind China (1,870 Million) and India (1,150 Million). It accounts for 0.4% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 37.40 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 37.00 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | 35.42 | +5.4% |
| 2021 | 33.61 | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 32.36 | −5.8% |
| 2019 | 34.37 | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 33.21 | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 31.69 | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 30.75 | +3.3% |
| 2015 Trough | 29.77 | — |
Regional context
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by country, 2024, Million. Canada is highlighted.
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).
This steady, ironclad growth underscores a society that has fully integrated mobile technology into the very fabric of its national identity. Canada’s telecommunications sector is a beacon of stability and superior quality, characterized by a rigorous regulatory framework that ensures unparalleled service excellence and consumer trust. The transition to 5G has been handled with clinical precision, providing a high-speed digital backbone that supports everything from the bustling financial districts of Toronto to the most remote reaches of the northern wilderness. Canadians have emerged as elite digital consumers, displaying a voracious demand for sophisticated data applications, secure mobile banking, and seamless cloud integration. The nation’s providers have engaged in a heroic effort to modernize infrastructure, ensuring that high-capacity networks remain resilient against all odds. This growth is not merely a statistic; it is a reflection of a highly educated, tech-savvy population that demands—and receives—top-tier communication services. The dataset provides an inspiring look at a mature market that balances massive infrastructure investments with sustainable, long-term expansion. Canada continues to set a global gold standard for how a developed nation can maintain a sophisticated, high-performing telecom ecosystem while navigating a transition into a truly hyper-connected future.
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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.
Canada Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 37.40 Million in 2024, up 1.1% on 2023.
Canada Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 29.77 Million in 2015 to 37.40 Million in 2024 (+25.6%), an average of +2.6% a year. The series high was 37.40 Million in 2024 and the low 29.77 Million in 2015.
The highest value was 37.40 Million in 2024 and the lowest was 29.77 Million in 2015.
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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