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ICT & Media🇦🇪 UAE

UAE 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.

UAE Mobile Cellular SubscriptionsMillion · 2015–2024

22.52017.5152015: 17.94Trough2016: 19.912017: 19.832018: 20.082019: 19.602020: 18.372021: 18.242022: 20.042023: 21.222024: 22.41Peak20152017201920212024
Source: data.worldbank.orgLast updated: April 2026

What UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions shows

UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 22.41 Million in 2024, up 5.6% on 2023. The mobile cellular subscription landscape in the United Arab Emirates from 2015 to 2024 stands as a monumental pillar of global digital excellence and a breathtaking example of elite technological integration.

Trend

Rising to a series high

UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 17.94 Million in 2015 to 22.41 Million in 2024 (+24.9%), an average of +2.5% a year. The series high was 22.41 Million in 2024 and the low 17.94 Million in 2015.

Volatility

A 19.9% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2024) and low (2015) is 4.47 Million. The sharpest single-year move was +11% in 2016.

Structure

Ranks 26 of 33 countries covered

Among the 33 countries in this dataset, UAE ranks 26 for 2024, behind China (1,870 Million) and India (1,150 Million). It accounts for 0.2% of the global total in 2024.

Full series

UAE 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.

UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions, 2015–2024, Million.
YearMillionChange vs prior year
2024Peak 22.41 +5.6%
2023 21.22 +5.9%
2022 20.04 +9.9%
2021 18.24 −0.7%
2020 18.37 −6.3%
2019 19.60 −2.4%
2018 20.08 +1.3%
2017 19.83 −0.4%
2016 19.91 +11%
2015 Trough17.94 —

Regional context

How UAE compares in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

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

1Turkey
94.32
2Saudi Arabia
54.18
3UAE
22.41
4Israel
16.65

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).

Over this transformative decade, the nation witnessed its subscription base surge from a massive 17.94 million to a staggering 22.41 million, reflecting an unwavering commitment to total national connectivity despite reaching some of the highest penetration levels on Earth. This relentless surge highlights a society that has completely woven mobile technology into the very heart of its economic and social identity. The UAE telecommunications sector is an absolute marvel of engineering, boasting a hyper-advanced infrastructure that spearheaded the aggressive transition to the revolutionary frontiers of 5G technology. With penetration rates that consistently defy logic and population figures, the data reveals an elite nation where multi-device ownership and persistent, high-capacity enterprise connectivity are the absolute norm. This monumental growth was fueled by an insatiable demand for sophisticated data services, luxury digital experiences, and an advanced Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem that powers the smartest cities in the world. Major telecom titans have poured unfathomable billions into spectrum acquisition and network hardening to ensure the UAE remains the undisputed vanguard of the digital age. This dataset serves as a powerful, ironclad testament to a market that refuses to plateau, continuously reinventing itself through radical innovation and a visionary commitment to connectivity. It is a definitive portrait of a digital superpower maintaining a relentless grip on the future of communications, ensuring that every corner of the nation is bathed in lightning-fast, high-speed signals. The UAE is not merely observing the digital future—it is actively engineering it, establishing a resilient and high-performing telecom landscape that serves as an elite blueprint for the entire global community.

Indicator
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions
Country
UAE
Region
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
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 UAE 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 UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions in 2024?

UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions was 22.41 Million in 2024, up 5.6% on 2023.

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

UAE Mobile Cellular Subscriptions moved from 17.94 Million in 2015 to 22.41 Million in 2024 (+24.9%), an average of +2.5% a year. The series high was 22.41 Million in 2024 and the low 17.94 Million in 2015.

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

The highest value was 22.41 Million in 2024 and the lowest was 17.94 Million in 2015.

Where does the UAE 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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