This world map shows number of mobile cellular telephone subscriptions by country, per 100 people.
Current worldwide number of mobile cellular telephone subscriptions: 78.0 per 100 people (2010)
63.56 per 100 people (2009)
Mobile cellular subscribers refers to users of portable telephones subscribing to an automatic public mobile telephone service using cellular technology that provides access to the Public Sswitched Telephone Network(PSTN).
Mobile cellular telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants is calculated by dividing the number of main lines by the population and multiplying by 100.
A key reason also possibly affecting high reported numbers of mobile cellular penetration rates is the absence of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) regulations. Absence of MNP results in subscribers obtaining multiple SIM cards in order to enjoy lower on-net call rates. The current mobile market structure, with prepaid customers representing the vast majority of the market, is also another key parameter.
eg.: As of 2008, prepaid subscriptions accounted for 91 per cent of total subscriptions in UAE.
The high percentage of prepaid subscriptions is mainly due to: the high number of visitors and foreign professionals/ workers and tourist entering the country.
Prepaid subscriptions are also often multi-SIM card holders, as there are low switching barriers to leverage on cheaper on-net calls. In parallel, a SIM card deactivation period of 90-180 days allows visitors to be considered as active subscribers, even if they are not present in the country anymore.
13 years ago
