Skip to content
ICT & Media🇫🇷 France

France 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.

France Mobile Cellular SubscriptionsMillion · 2015–2023

807570652015: 66.68Trough2016: 67.572017: 69.022018: 70.422019: 72.042020: 72.752021: 75.302022: 76.852023: 77.53Peak20152017201920212023
Source: data.worldbank.orgLast updated: April 2026

What France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions shows

France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 77.53 Million in 2023, up 0.9% on 2022. French's mobile cellular subsription from 2015 to 2023 represents a breathtaking saga of steady expansion and a radical digital revolution that has completely reshaped the nation’s economic potential. Subscription volumes underwent a phenomenal transformation, leaping from a robust 66.68 million in 2015 to 77.53 million by 2023.

Trend

Rising to a series high

France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 66.68 Million in 2015 to 77.53 Million in 2023 (+16.3%), an average of +1.9% a year. The series high was 77.53 Million in 2023 and the low 66.68 Million in 2015.

Volatility

A 14% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 10.85 Million. The sharpest single-year move was +3.5% in 2021.

Structure

Ranks 19 of 35 countries covered

Among the 35 countries in this dataset, France ranks 19 for 2023, behind China (1,820 Million) and India (1,160 Million). It accounts for 0.9% of the global total in 2023.

Full series

France 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.

France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions, 2015–2023, Million.
YearMillionChange vs prior year
2023Peak 77.53 +0.9%
2022 76.85 +2.1%
2021 75.30 +3.5%
2020 72.75 +1%
2019 72.04 +2.3%
2018 70.42 +2%
2017 69.02 +2.1%
2016 67.57 +1.3%
2015 Trough66.68 —

Regional context

How France compares in Europe & Central Asia

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by country, 2023, Million. France is highlighted.

1Russia
263
2Germany
105.4
3UK
84.33
4Italy
78.46
5France
77.53
6Spain
61.19
7Netherlands
22.67
8Sweden
14.80

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).

This meteoric rise is a direct result of a visionary shift toward total digital inclusion, shattering old barriers and bringing every citizen into a modern, high-speed social fold. France has become a vibrant, elite laboratory for telecom innovation, where fierce market competition and sweeping regulatory reforms have paved the way for a golden age of accessibility and superior service quality. The surge is driven by a tech-savvy population that has embraced a mobile-first lifestyle, fueling an unprecedented, voracious demand for smartphones and high-octane data services. From the dense urban heart of Paris to the farthest reaches of the countryside, the expansion of 4G and the ambitious, aggressive rollout of 5G are creating a unified digital frontier. This connectivity has ignited a wildfire of growth in mobile banking, e-commerce, and immersive streaming, making France a dominant regional powerhouse in the global digital economy. The nation’s providers have engaged in a heroic effort to modernize infrastructure, ensuring that high-capacity networks remain resilient against all odds. This dataset captures a nation in the midst of a historic awakening, proving that through strategic investment and bold technological adoption, a market can achieve legendary status. France is no longer just observing the digital future—it is actively driving it, establishing a resilient and high-velocity telecom landscape that serves as a blueprint for the world. Every statistic here is a testament to a nation possessed by an insatiable appetite for digital dominance and connectivity.

Indicator
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions
Country
France
Region
Europe & Central Asia
Unit
Million
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
ICT & Media
Last updated
April 2026
Source
data.worldbank.org

Cite this dataset

Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.

Copied

Frequently asked questions

What is France 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 France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions in 2023?

France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 77.53 Million in 2023, up 0.9% on 2022.

How has France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions changed between 2015 and 2023?

France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 66.68 Million in 2015 to 77.53 Million in 2023 (+16.3%), an average of +1.9% a year. The series high was 77.53 Million in 2023 and the low 66.68 Million in 2015.

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

The highest value was 77.53 Million in 2023 and the lowest was 66.68 Million in 2015.

Where does the France Mobile Cellular Subscriptions data come from?

The series is sourced from data.worldbank.org (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.CEL.SETS). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million.

Need more data?

Get in touch with our research team

Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.

Get In Touch

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

✖