Based on TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, the worldwide cellular subscription whole stood at 8.74 billion on the finish of 2023, up 2.0% from 8.57 billion a yr earlier.
Inhabitants penetration rose from 108% to 109% over the identical interval, boosted by the recognition of a number of SIM possession in lots of markets.
Asia: Largest Cell Market
In regional phrases, Asia’s cellular sector is by far the biggest worldwide. Collectively, China and India account for greater than a 3rd of world subscriptions.
China had 1.76 billion subscriptions at end-2023, up from 1.70 billion twelve months earlier than. India’s cellular market climbed from 1.14 billion subscriptions to 1.16 billion over the identical interval.
Different massive Asian cellular markets embrace Indonesia with 354.3 million subscriptions at end-2023, Japan (247.6 million), Pakistan (189.4 million), Bangladesh (187.5 million), Philippines (124.6 million), and Vietnam (124.1 million).
Cell Sector Nonetheless Rising
Cell Subscription Development 2003-2023
Two of the fastest-growing Asian markets in 2023 have been Macau and Myanmar.
Macau’s cellular subscription whole was up 13.2% in 2023 to 1.37 million, boosted by the recognition of roaming SIM offers for vacationers from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Myanmar’s cellular sector is topic to a deal of state management—two of its 4 community operators have state backing. Nonetheless, the market grew by 9.8% in 2023 to achieve 63.8 million subscriptions.
Africa Nonetheless Has Room for Development
Whereas inhabitants penetration in Africa remains to be a way behind different areas, the continent is seeing a few of the strongest progress in subscription phrases.
Africa claimed 18 of the highest 40 fastest-growing cellular markets worldwide in 2023.
Africa claimed 18 of the highest 40 fastest-growing cellular markets worldwide in 2023. The regional subscription whole climbed 5.1% in 2023, reaching 1.36 billion.
Among the many area’s quickly increasing markets have been Tanzania with subscriptions up 16.7% at 70.2 million, Rwanda (up 16.0% at 12.8 million), and Benin (up 14.7% at 16.7 million).
As we mentioned in a current weblog submit, Nigeria claims Africa’s largest cellular market with 217.5 million subscriptions on the finish of 2023, up from 209.5 million a yr earlier.
South Africa has one of many highest cellular penetration charges in Africa, boasting an estimated 118.9 million subscriptions on the finish of 2023. The market is served by 5 foremost community operators: Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C, and Rain. A sixth agency, Liquid Clever Applied sciences, gives wholesale 5G connectivity in partnership with Vodacom. The nation’s three largest gamers—Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom—account for greater than 90% of subscriptions between them.
Remainder of the World
The U.S. and Canada noticed little or no cellular market progress in 2023. Actually, their mixed subscription whole went up solely 0.5%. On the finish of 2023, there have been 410.3 million cellular subscriptions within the U.S. and one other 39.9 million throughout the border in Canada.
The U.S. cellular sector is dominated by three foremost gamers. Verizon Wi-fi takes the number-one spot with 144.8 million subscriptions and 35% of the general market, adopted by T-Cell (139.7 million clients and a 34% share), and AT&T (113.8 million subscriptions and 28% of the market).
In Europe, the regional subscription whole climbed 1.4% in 2023 to only over one billion. The one largest market is Russia, with 238.8 million cellular customers at end-2023. It’s adopted by 5 western European nations: Germany (117.1 million), the UK (89.3 million), France (78.5 million), Italy (77.1 million), and Spain (56.6 million).
Fastened Broadband Doubles in Ten Years
Turning to the mounted broadband phase, there have been 1.53 billion subscriptions on the finish of 2023. This quantity elevated 5.8% from 1.44 billion the yr prior—and greater than double the determine of 699 million a decade earlier.
Regular Development
Fastened Broadband Subscription Development 2003-2023
As soon as once more, Asia claimed the biggest slice of the general market, with 898 million subscriptions at end-2023. Europe trailed behind with 263 million, adopted by the U.S. and Canada with 149 million, and Latin America with 121 million.
World family penetration reached 65% on the finish of 2023, up from 62% twelve months earlier than and 59% at end-2021.
Whereas the U.S. and Canada may declare nearly ubiquitous mounted broadband adoption as of December 2023, Africa languished properly behind the opposite areas, with a penetration charge of simply 12%. There’s a continued urge for food for broadband connectivity on the continent, although. The annual progress charge hit double figures for the previous three years, sitting at 12.8% in 2023.
Globally, fiber-based networks have been by far the preferred technique of connectivity at end-2023, with 70% of all subscriptions through fiber.
Globally, fiber-based networks have been by far the preferred technique of connectivity at end-2023, with 70% of all subscriptions through fiber. Fiber changed DSL as the principle entry expertise again in 2016 and has been growing its dominance ever since.
