UAE Records 22 Million Mobile Subscribers, 97% 5G Coverage, 3.8M Broadband
The UAE, with over 22 million mobile phone subscribers and almost 4 million broadband internet subscriptions, stands at the forefront of the global digital landscape, according to the latest Digital Enablers Report by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
Key Digital Initiatives
The report sheds light on key initiatives driving digital transformation, including the growth of the UAE Pass user base to 6.84 million and offering seamless access to 15,000 digital services from 232 providers. The "UAE Verify" platform processed an impressive 6,997,635 documents, and the API Marketplace recorded 1,273,464 transactions.
Infrastructure and Support Systems
In the realm of infrastructure, the Federal Digital Network (FEDnet) boasts 5,076 virtual servers, supporting 40 entities through a high-performance Internet portal and aiding 46 entities with cloud infrastructure. The TDRA Virtual Academy, a platform with 34,000 registered individuals, offers a diverse range of 180 training courses.
Director-General's Perspective
The Director-General of TDRA, Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, emphasises the cooperation amongst government agencies in line with the UAE 2031 plan. The future economy and the realisation of smart city concepts depend heavily on the emphasis on digitalization.
Telecommunications Sector Milestones
Although the 5G network covers 97.03% of populous areas, the telecommunications industry displays 100% mobile network coverage in a number of regions. In terms of Internet user percentage, mobile broadband subscriptions, and mobile network coverage, the UAE maintains its position as the world leader. Also, based on data from the FTTH Council Europe, it continues to hold the top spot in fiber-to-The-Home (FTTH) coverage, reaching an amazing 97%.
Global Rankings
Globally, the United Arab Emirates excels in a variety of indexes, placing fifth in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), ninth in the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII), twelfth in the Online Service Index (OSI), thirteenth in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), eighteenth in the Digital Participation Index, and twenty-twentieth in the Government AI Readiness Index.
Implications for the Future
These achievements underscore the UAE's commitment to fostering a digital knowledge society and economy, aligning with global standards, and positioning the country as a digital leader on the world stage.
