Rising to a series high
North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 361.9 Million in 2015 to 428 Million in 2024 (+18.3%), an average of +1.9% a year. The series high was 428 Million in 2024 and the low 361.9 Million in 2015.
What North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions shows
North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 428 Million in 2024, up 1.2% on 2023. North America’s mobile cellular subscriptions from 2015 to 2024, measured in millions, reflect a saturated and highly advanced telecommunications market characterized by high smartphone penetration and the rapid deployment of 5G infrastructure.
A 15.4% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 66.10 Million. The sharpest single-year move was +3.9% in 2023.
U.S. leads the region
Within North America, U.S. has the highest value in 2024 at 391 Million, 91.4% of the regional total.
By region
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions by region
Million, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
North America 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.
| Year | Million | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024Peak | 428 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 423 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | 407 | +3% |
| 2021 | 395 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 385 | −1.3% |
| 2019 | 390.2 | +2.3% |
| 2018 | 381.5 | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 371.9 | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 369.1 | +2% |
| 2015 Trough | 361.9 | — |
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 region demonstrates a consistent upward trajectory, driven by the expansion of multi-device ownership and the integration of mobile connectivity into nearly every aspect of daily life and commerce.
The United States remains the primary driver of regional growth, with subscriptions rising from 332.10 million in 2015 to 390.99 million by 2024. While the market is mature, it showed significant resilience and continued expansion, peaking in the latter half of the decade as 5G rollouts incentivized plan upgrades and additional device connections. Canada complements this performance with steady growth, increasing from 29.77 million subscriptions in 2015 to 37.40 million in 2024. Although the Canadian market is smaller in total volume, its growth rate reflects a similar trend of increasing digital dependency and network accessibility across its diverse geography.
At the regional level, North America’s total mobile cellular subscriptions grew from 361.90 million in 2015 to 428.00 million in 2024. The data reveals a slight, temporary dip in 2020 to 385.00 million, likely due to the consolidation of accounts and economic shifts during global disruptions. However, a robust recovery followed immediately, with the region adding over 40 million subscriptions in the subsequent four years to reach its current high.
Key insights include a strong post-2020 rebound, a high dependence on the U.S. telecom sector, and consistent penetration gains in Canada. The region benefits from world-leading network infrastructure, competitive service offerings, and a consumer base that prioritizes high-speed connectivity. Overall, North America remains a global leader in mobile connectivity, characterized by technological maturity, sustained subscriber growth, and a deeply integrated digital ecosystem.
- Indicator
- Mobile Cellular Subscriptions
- Region
- North America
- 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 North America 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 North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions in 2024?
North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 428 Million in 2024, up 1.2% on 2023.
How has North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions changed between 2015 and 2024?
North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 361.9 Million in 2015 to 428 Million in 2024 (+18.3%), an average of +1.9% a year. The series high was 428 Million in 2024 and the low 361.9 Million in 2015.
Which year had the highest and lowest North America Mobile Cellular Subscriptions?
The highest value was 428 Million in 2024 and the lowest was 361.9 Million in 2015.
Where does the North America 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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