This is a list of mobile network operators of the Middle East and Africa.
In Q3 of 2023, the penetration rate was estimated at 114.42% over a population estimate of 44.20 million. [1]
The telecom regulator in Algeria is Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications (ARPT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mobilis |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
22.1 (Q3 2023) [1] | Algérie Télécom |
2 | Djezzy |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
15.6 (Q3 2023) [1] | State-owned [2] |
3 |
Ooredoo (formerly Nedjma) |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
12.9 (Q3 2023) [1] | Ooredoo (74.4%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 63.7% over a population estimate of 13.3 million. [3]
The telecom regulator in Angola is Instituto Angolano das Comunicações (INACOM).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Unitel |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 800/1800 MHz LTE |
7 (November 2011) [4] |
Mercury (
Sonangol group) (25%), Group
GENI (25%), Vidatel (25%), Portugal Telecom (25%) [5] |
2 | Movicel |
GSM (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 1800 MHz LTE |
2.5 (September 2010) [5] | Government (
Angola Telecom) (18%),
Correios Telegrafos de Angola (2%), Porturil (40%), Modus Comicare (19%), Ipang (10%), Lambda (6%) |
3 | Africell | 5 (September 2022) [6] | Africell Group |
At the end of 2011 the penetration rate was estimated at 133% over a population estimate of 1.27 million. [7]
The telecom regulator in Bahrain is Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain (TRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Batelco |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
0.738 [8] (Dec 2011) | Bahrain Telecommunications Company |
2 |
Zain (formerly MTC-Vodafone) |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 1800 MHz LTE WiMAX |
0.787 (Sep 2014) [9] | Zain Group (56.25%) |
3 | stc |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
Not Yet Available | STC |
In December 2015, the penetration rate was estimated at 90.33% [10] (in 2014, the population was estimated as 10.33 millions [11]).
The telecom regulator in Benin is Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et de la poste (ARCEP Benin). [12]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN | GSM-900/1800 MHz | 4.3 [10] (Dec 2015) | MTN (75%) |
2 | Moov |
GSM-900 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
3.3 [10] (Dec 2015) | Etisalat |
3 | Glo | GSM-900/1800 MHz | 1.7 [10] (Dec 2015) | Globacom |
4 | Libercom | GSM-900 MHz | 0.056 [10] (Dec 2015) | Benin Telecom |
- | BBcom | GSM-900/1800 MHz | ND [10] [13] (Dec 2015) | Bell Benin Communications |
This section needs to be updated.(January 2021) |
In March 2015 the penetration rate was 167% over a population estimate of 2.05 millions. [14]
The telecom regulator in Botswana is Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mascom |
GSM-900 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
1.7 [14] (March 2015) | Mascom, MTN (53%) |
2 | Orange |
GSM-900 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
1.1 [14] (March 2015) | Orange S.A. (69%), Mosokelatsebeng Cellular (local investors, 26%), local individuals (5%) |
3 | btc |
GSM-900/1800 UMTS |
0.52 [14] (March 2015) | BTC Botswana Telecommunications Corporation |
In December 2011 the penetration rate was estimated at 36% over a population estimate of 16.7 million. [15]
The telecom regulator in Burkina Faso is Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes (ARCEP), [16] the current name of the former Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques (ARCE) and of the previous Autorité de régulation des télécommunications (ARTEL).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orange |
GSM 900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
4.1 (2012) | Orange [17] |
2 | Telmob ( Onatel) |
CDMA2000,
EVDO GSM 900 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
3.9 [18] (2012) | Maroc Telecom (51%) |
3 | Telecel Faso | GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE) | 2 (2012) | Planor Afrique |
In 2011 the penetration rate was estimated at 20% over a population estimate of 8 million. [19]
The telecom regulator in Burundi is Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARCT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Lumitel (Viettel Burundi S.A.) |
GSM UMTS 4G LTE |
3 [20] (December 2020) | Viettel Group (Vietnam) |
2 | Econet Leo |
CDMA GSM-900/1800 MHz 2100 MHz UMTS |
2.6 [21] (July 2015) |
Econet Wireless (purchased Leo from Vimpelcom) |
3 | ONAMOB | GSM-900 MHz | 0.140 (November 2008)[ citation needed] | Onatel (state owned) |
4 | Smart Mobile (formerly Lacell) |
GSM-1800 MHz UMTS |
Not Yet Available | Smart Telecom |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 87.5% over a population estimate of 0.5 million. [22]
The telecom regulator in Cabo Verde is Agência Nacional de Comunicações (ANAC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CV Móvel | GSM-900/1800 MHz UMTS | 0.355 [23] (September 2009) | Portugal Telecom (40%) |
2 | T-MAIS | GSM-900/1800 MHz | 0.047 [24] (Q1 2010) | T-Mais |
In July 2011 the penetration rate was estimated at 43% over a population estimate of 19.7 million. [25]
The telecom regulator in Cameroon is Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications (ART).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN | GSM-MHz 900 | 10.1 [26] (dec 2014) | MTN Group (70%) |
2 | Orange | GSM-900 MHz | 6.2 [26] (dec 2014) | Orange S.A. |
3 | Nexttel |
GSM-900/1800 MHz UMTS |
2.0 [26] (May 2015) | Viettel Global, Bestinver Cameroon S.A.R.L |
4 | Camtel | GSM | new licence in September 2014 | Camtel (government) |
5 | YooMee | WiMAX | Not yet available | YooMee |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 17.2% over a population estimate of 4.9 million. [27]
The telecom regulator in Central African Republic is Agence de régulation des télécommunications (ART).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | telecel | GSM-900 | 0.143 [28] (December 2008) | Orascom Telecom |
2 | Orange |
GSM-1800 (
GPRS) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
0.189 [29] (December 2009) | Orange S.A. |
3 | azur | GSM-900 | 0.158 [30] (December 2008) | Bintel |
4 | Moov Africa | GSM-900 | Not Yet Available | Maroc Telecom |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 24.3% over a population estimate of 10.7 million. [31]
The telecom regulator in Chad is Office Tchadien de Régulation des Télécommunications (OTRT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Moov | GSM-900/1800 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE. 3G HSPA Plus + 2100 MHz,4G LTE 10 MHz ) | 1.257 [32] (October 2010) | Maroc Telecom |
2 | Airtel |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
1.199 (June 2009) | Bharti Airtel |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 20.8% over a population estimate of 0.8 million. [33]
The telecom regulator in Comoros is Autorité Nationale de Régulation des TIC (ANRTIC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | HURI | GSM-900 | 0.056 (2007) [34] | government ( Societe Nationale des Telecommunications) |
2 | Telma | GSM-900/1800 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE. 3G HSPA Plus + 2100 MHz,4G LTE 10 MHz) | - | Telecom Madagascar |
In Q4 2015 the penetration rate was estimated at 95.7% [35] over a population estimate of 4.6 million.
The telecom regulator in Congo is Agence de Régulation des postes et des Communications Electroniques (ARPCE).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN |
GSM-900 MHz UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+ |
2.250 [36] (Q4 2015) | MTN |
2 | Airtel |
GSM-900 MHz 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
1.851 [36] (Q4 2015) | Bharti Airtel (90%) |
3 | Azur | GSM-900/1800 MHz | 0.313 [36] (Q4 2015) | Bintel |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 68.5% over a population estimate of 21.5 million. [37]
The telecom regulator in Côte d'Ivoire is Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orange |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
13.531 (Sep 2017) [29] | Orange S.A. (85%), Comafrique (15%) |
2 | MTN |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
11.173 (Sep 2017) [38] | MTN (64.7%), Planor (25.3%), Teylium group (10%) |
3 | Moov |
GSM (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
7.587 (Sep 2017) [24] | Etisalat |
4 | Koz | GSM-900/1800 | 2.500 (April 2010) [39] | Comium (licence revoqued) [40] |
5 | GreenN | GSM-900/1800 | 0.617 (Q1 2010)[ citation needed] | LAP Oricel (licence revoqued) [40] |
- | Warid | GSM | Not Yet Available | Warid Telecom (licence revoqued) [40] |
- | Mobile Cafe | GSM | Not Yet Available | Aircomm (licence revoqued) [40] |
- | YooMee | TD-LTE | Not Yet Available | YooMee |
In 2016 the penetration rate was estimated at 50% over a population estimate of 80 million.
The telecom regulator in Democratic Republic of the Congo is Agence de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications du Congo (ARPTC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vodacom |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ WiMAX |
13.766 [41] (Mar 2014) | Vodacom (51%), Congolese Wireless Network (49%) |
2 | Orange |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
10.674 [42] (Q3 2015) | Orange S.A. |
3 | Africell |
GSM UMTS |
5.5 (Dec 2014) | Africell Holding [43] |
4 | Airtel |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
5.0 [44] (Aug 2012) | Bharti Airtel (98.5%) |
5 | Supercell | GSM-900 | 0.028 (covers Kivu only) | [45] |
6 | SemaTel | GSM | not started | Hits Telecom [46] (60%) |
7 | U-Com | CDMA | not started | Global Vision Telecom (Telecel International) [47] |
- | Smile | LTE | launch expected in 2016 [48] | Smile Communications ( Al-Nahla Technology, Atheeb Trading Company, Capitalworks, Verene) [49] |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 14.88% over a population estimate of 0.75 million. [50]
The telecom regulator in Djibouti is Ministère de la Communication chargé des Postes et des Télécommunications (MCPT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Evatis |
GSM-900 MHz UMTS, HSPA |
0.106 (Q1 2010)[ citation needed] | Djibouti Telecom (government) |
Egypt has 99 million mobile users as of December 2017, government figures showed. [51]
The telecom regulator in Egypt is National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vodafone Egypt |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+ LTE |
45.083 [52] (Nov 2022) | Vodafone Group plc (55%), Telecom Egypt (45%) |
2 |
Orange (formerly Mobinil) |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+ LTE |
27.601 [51] (July 2020) | Orange S.A. (99.39%), free float (0.61%) |
3 | Etisalat |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+ LTE |
26.0 [51] (July 2020) | Etisalat (76%), Egypt Post (20%), Other Investors (4%) |
4 | We (by Telecom Egypt) |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+ |
1.6 (December 2017) | Egyptian government (80%), free float (20%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 74% over a population estimate of 0.6 million. [53]
The telecom regulator in Equatorial Guinea is Órgano Regulador de las Telecomunicaciones Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ORTEL).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orange | GSM-900 MHz | 0.333 [29] (Dec 2009) | Orange S.A. (40%), Equatorial Guinea state (60%) |
2 | Muni | GSM-900/1800 MHz UMTS | 0.150 (September 2013)[ citation needed] | Green-com S.A. (Hits Africa) |
3 | Gecomsa | not yet available (created in 2012) |
Equatorial Guinea state (51%), China state (49%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 3.4% over a population estimate of 5.9 million. [54]
The telecom regulator in Eritrea is Eritrean Communications Regulatory Authority (ECRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Eritel | GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS) | Not Yet Available | Eritrea Telecommunications Services Corporation |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 4.6% over a population estimate of 90.8 million. [55]
The telecom regulator in Ethiopia is Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ethiotelecom |
GSM 900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+ |
26.2 [56] | Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation |
2 | Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia | 2G, 3G, 4G | Safaricom (55.7%)| Sumitomo Corporation (27.20%)| British International Investment (10.9%)| Vodacom (6.20%) |
In June 2018 the penetration rate was estimated to at almost 157%. [57]
The telecom regulator in Gabon is Autorité de Régulation des communications Electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) https://www.arcep.ga.
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Airtel (formerly Celtel, Zain) |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
1.181 (June 2018) [57] | Bharti Airtel (90%) |
2 | Moov Africa Gabon Telecom | GSM-900 MHz | 1.648 (June 2018) [57] |
Maroc Telecom (51%), Gabonese government (49%) |
In 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 85.53% over a population estimate of 1.77 million.
The telecom regulator in Gambia is Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Africell |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
1.30 (Jan 2015) [ citation needed] | Africell Gambia LTD |
2 | Comium | GSM-900/1800 ( GPRS) | 0.25 (2012) [ citation needed] | Comium Group |
3 | Gamcel | GSM-900 | 0.24 (2012) [ citation needed] | Gambia Telecommunications Cellular Company Ltd |
4 | Qcell |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.115 (2012) [ citation needed] | Qcell |
In March 2021 the penetration rate was estimated at 133.14% over a population estimate of 31.1 million. [58]
The telecom regulator in Ghana is National Communications Authority (NCA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
23.23 [58] (March 2021) | MTN (97.7%) |
2 | Vodafone Ghana |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
7.537 [58] (Q3 2023) | Telecel Group (70%)
Government of Ghana (30%) |
3 | AirtelTigo | 8.32 (March 2021) | Government of Ghana | |
4 | Glo |
GSM (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
0.78 [58] (March 2021) | Globacom |
In Q4 2015, the penetration rate was estimated at 99.1% [59] over a population estimate of 10.8 million.
The telecom regulator in Guinea is Autorité de Régulation des Postes et Télécommunications (ARPT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orange | GSM-900/1800 MHz | 5.24 [59] (Q4 2015) | Orange S.A. (52.2%) |
2 |
MTN (formerly Areeba) |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ WiMAX |
3.21 [59] (Q4 2015) | MTN (75%) |
3 | Cellcom Guinée |
GSM-900/1800 MHz 2100 MHz UMTS |
2.14 [59] (Q4 2015) | Cellcom Telecommunications Ltd [60] |
4 | Intercel | GSM-900 MHz | 0.11 [59] (Q4 2015) | Telecel Guinee SARL |
5 | Sotelgui | GSM-900 MHz | 0.16 [ citation needed] | Telekom Malaysia, government |
In March 2015 the penetration rate was estimated at 67.0% over a population estimate of 1.75 million. [61]
The telecom regulator in Guinea-Bissau is Autoridade Reguladora Nacional das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação da Guiné Bissau (ARN).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN | GSM-900/1800 UMTS | 0.575 (Sep 2014) [38] | MTN Group |
2 | Orange | GSM-900/1800 | 0.477 (Dec 2013) [62] | Orange S.A. (52.2%) |
3 | Guinetel | GSM-900 | not available | Guinea Telecom |
In December 2020 the penetration rate was estimated at 151.91% over a population estimate of 80 million.
The telecom regulator in Iran is Communications Regulatory Authority of Iran سازمان تنظيم مقررات و ارتباطات رادیویی (CRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers
[63] (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hamrahe Aval |
GSM 900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100/900 MHz ( HSPA, DC-HSPA+) 1800/2600/2100/900 MHz ( LTE, LTE-A), ( VoLTE, VoWiFi) |
68 (Q4 2020) | Telecommunication Company of Iran |
2 | Irancell |
GSM 900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100/900 MHz ( HSPA, DC-HSPA+) 1800/2600/2100/900 MHz ( LTE, LTE-A), ( VoLTE) |
55 (Q4 2020) |
Iran Electronic Development Company (51%) MTN Group (49%) |
3 | RighTel | 2100/900 MHz (
HSPA,
DC-HSPA+) 1800 MHz ( LTE) |
2.5 (Q1 2018) | Social Security Investment Company |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 74.2% over a population estimate of 30.4 million. [64]
The telecom regulator in Iraq is Communications and Media Commission هيئة الإعلام والإتصالات (CMC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zain | GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE, 3G) | 14.9 [9] (July 2020) | Zain Group (71.67%) |
2 | Asia Cell | GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE) | 13.3 [65] (Q2 2020) | Ooredoo (30%) |
3 | Korek | GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS, HSPA) | Not Yet Available | Korek Telecom Ltd. |
4 | Omnnea | CDMA | Not Yet Available | Omnnea |
5 | Itisaluna | CDMA 2000 1x & EVDO-450,800,1900 MHz | Not Yet Available | Itisaluna |
In 2018 the penetration rate was estimated at 111% over a population estimate of over 10 million.
The telecom regulator in Israel is Ministry of Communications משרד התקשורת (MOC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mobile Network Operators | ||||
1 | Cellcom |
GSM-1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 850/2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA 700/1800/2600 MHz LTE 3500 MHz 5G NR |
3.641 [66] (Q3 2020) | DIC (41.77%), Public (58.23%) |
2 | Partner |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 700/1800/2100/2600 MHz LTE 3500 MHz 5G NR Radio network shared with Hot Mobile |
2.760 [67] (Q3 2020) | S.B. Israel Telecom (30.4%), exclusive Israeli shareholders (5%), Public (64.6%) |
3 | Pelephone | 850/2100 MHz
UMTS,
DC-HSPA+ 700/1800/2600 MHz LTE 3500 MHz 5G NR |
2.406 [68] (Q3 2020) | Bezeq |
4 | Hot Mobile | 800 MHz
iDEN 900/2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 700/1800/2100/2600 MHz LTE 3500 MHz 5G NR Radio network shared with Partner (other than iDEN) |
N/A | HOT |
5 | Golan Telecom |
GSM-1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE 3500 MHz 5G NR |
N/A | ELCO Group |
6 | XFONE | 1800 MHz LTE | N/A | Marathon Telecom Ltd |
Mobile Virtual Network Operators | ||||
7 |
Rami Levy (using Pelephone) |
CDMA2000 EV-DO, UMTS, DC-HSPA+, LTE | N/A | Rami Levy Hashikma Marketing |
8 | HomeCellular (using Cellcom) |
GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSPA, LTE | N/A | |
9 | 019 Mobile (using Partner) |
GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, DC-HSPA+, LTE | N/A | |
10 | Cellact (using Pelephone) |
CDMA2000 EV-DO, UMTS, DC-HSPA+, LTE | N/A | Cellact Communication |
In March 2016 the penetration rate was estimated at 140% over a population estimate of 14.09 million. [69]
The telecom regulator in Jordan is Telecommunications Regulatory Commission هيئة تنظيم قطاع الاتصالات (TRC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zain Jordan |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+, LTE |
4.94 [69] (Q1 2016) | Zain Group |
2 | Orange Jordan |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+, LTE |
4.59 [69] (Q1 2016) | Orange S.A. |
3 | Umniah |
GSM-1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+, LTE |
4.55 [69] (Q1 2016) | Batelco |
This section needs to be updated.(February 2017) |
The country has 40.8 million subscribers in total, or a 76.9% penetration rate. [70] (Jan 2018)
The telecom regulator in Kenya is Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Safaricom |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ WiMAX 800/1800 MHz LTE |
42 [71] (2023) |
Vodacom (35%) Govt of Kenya (35%) Vodafone Group plc (5%) Public Float (25%) |
2 |
Airtel Kenya (formerly Zain) |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
18 [72] (2023) | Bharti Airtel (80%) |
3 |
Telkom Kenya (formerly Orange) |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
3 [72] (2023) | Government of Kenya [72] |
4 | Jamii Telecommunications (Faiba 4G) | LTE-700 MHz | Jamii Telecommunications Limited |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 164.7% over a population estimate of 2.6 million. [73]
The telecom regulator in Kuwait is the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zain |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
2.6 (Sep 2014) [9] | Zain Group |
2 |
Ooredoo (formerly Wataniya) |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 1800 MHz LTE |
2.394 [65] (Q2 2014) | Ooredoo (52.5%) |
3 | Saudi Telecom Company (formerly Viva Kuwait) |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
1.106[ when?][ citation needed] | STC (26%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 65.9% over a population estimate of 4.1 million. [74]
The telecom regulator in Lebanon is Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | touch |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 800/1800 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
2.4 (Sep 2014) [9] | government - management contract: Zain Group |
2 | Alfa |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 800/1800 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
1.8 [75] (2014) | government - management contract: Orascom Telecom |
In 2016 the penetration rate was estimated at 86% over a population estimate of 2.2 million. [76]
The telecom regulator in Lesotho is Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vodacom |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA LTE WiMAX |
1.449 [77] (2016) | Vodacom (80%), Sekha-Metsi Consortium (20%) |
2 | Econet Telecom Lesotho |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS HSDPA |
0.448 [77] (2016) | Econet Ezi Cel Lesotho (Pty) |
At the end of 2013, the penetration rate was estimated at 68.3% over a population estimate of 3.8 million. [78]
The telecom regulator in Liberia is Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lonestar Cell MTN | GSM-900 | 1.299 (Sep 2014) [38] | MTN (60%) |
2 | Orange |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
0.997 [78] (end 2013) | Orange Côte d'Ivoire (formerly owned by Cellcom Telecommunications) |
3 | Novafone (formerly Comium) |
GSM-900 (
GPRS) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
0.236 [78] (end 2013) | Comium Services BVI |
4 | LTC Mobile | ? | 0.005 [78] (still active) | Liberia Telecommunications Corporation |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 169.74% over a population estimate of 6.6 million. [79]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Libyana |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE), 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSPA+, 4G, LTE, LTE-A, 5G(testing) |
6.2 [80] (December 2019) | State-owned via GPTC |
2 | Almadar Aljadid |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE), 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSPA+, |
5.0 [81] (December 2019) | State-owned via GPTC |
In 2014 the penetration rate was estimated at 42% (9.7 million) over a population estimate of 23 million. [82]
The telecom regulator in Madagascar is Autorité de Régulation des Technologies de Communication (ARTEC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Airtel |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
2.56 (April 2013) [83] | Bharti Airtel |
2 | Telma Mobile |
CdmaOne GSM-900 ( GPRS, EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA |
1.98 (April 2013) | Distacom Group, Telma SA, Hiridjee group |
3 | Orange | GSM-900 ( GPRS, EDGE) | 1.85 (April 2013) | Orange S.A. (40.01%) |
4 | Blueline | LTE | N/A | Gulfsat |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 19.32% over a population estimate of 15.9 million. [84]
The telecom regulator in Malawi is Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Airtel (formerly Zain) |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
3.5 (September 2015) [85] | Bharti Airtel |
2 | TNM |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
2 (July 2013) [86] | Malawi Telecommunications Limited, Telekom Malaysia |
3 | MTL (Malawi Telecommunications Limited) |
LTE-1800 |
Press Corporation, NICO, Malawi Government | |
4 | Access | GSM-900, LTE-800 | 0.1 | |
5 | G-Mobile (license revoked [87]) |
GSM | Globally Advanced Integrated Networks, [88] Beryl (South Africa) | |
6 | Lacell | GSM | La Cell Private Limited [89] | |
7 | G-Expresso | GSM | Expresso Telecom Group Limited [89] |
The country had 20.2 million subscribers in total (end 2016), or a 113% penetration rate. [90]
The telecom regulator in Mali is Autorité Malienne de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC et des Postes (AMRTP). [91]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orange [92] |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
13.1 (end 2016) | Orange S.A. 52.2% |
2 | Moov Africa Malitel [93] |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
7.1 (end 2016) | Maroc Telecom 51%, local investors 20%, government 19%, staff 10% [94] |
3 | Planor | GSM | licensed in Jan 2012 | Planor (support of Monaco Telecom) |
At the end 2020 the penetration rate was estimated at 101% over a population estimate of 4 million. [95]
The telecom regulator in Mauritania is Autorité de Régulation (ARE). [96]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Moov Mauritel | GSM-850 MHz,900 MHz,1800 MHz,1900 MHz UMTS,HSPA+,4G/LTE | 2.600 (Dec 2020)[ citation needed] | Maroc Telecom (51.5%) |
2 | Chinguitel | GSM-850 MHz,900 MHz,1800 MHz,1900 MHz,CDMA,UMTS,HSPA+ | 1.40 (May 2008) | Sudatel (60%) |
3 | MATTEL | GSM- 850 MHz,900 MHz,1800 MHz,1900 MHz,UMTS,HSPA+,4G/LTE | Not Yet Available | Tunisie Telecom (51%), Mauritanian Investors (49%) |
The telecom regulator in Mauritius is Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Mauritius (ICTA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mauritius Telecom |
GSM-900 (
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 1800 MHz LTE |
0.628 [29] (Dec 2009) | Orange S.A. (40%)| Government of Mauritius (33.49%)| SBM Investments Managers Ltd (19%)| National Pensions Fund (6.55%)| Employees of Mauritius Telecom (0.96%) |
2 | Emtel |
GSM-900 (
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 1800 MHz LTE |
0.437 [97] (Dec 2009) | Currimjee |
3 | CHiLi | CdmaOne, EvDo, GSM, UMTS | 0.318 (March 2019) | Mahanagar Telephone Mauritius Limited (MTML) |
The country has 55.873 million subscribers in total, or a 150.92% penetration rate. [98] (December 2023)
The telecom regulator in Morocco is Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Telecommunications (ANRT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Maroc Telecom |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, 800/1800/2100/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
19.717 (December 2023) | Etisalat (53%), Government Morocco (22%) |
2 | Orange Morocco |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, DC HSDPA, 800/1800/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
18.149 (December 2023) |
Orange S.A. (49%), FinanceCom+CDG (51%) |
3 | inwi |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+, |
18.006 (December 2023) | Zain Group (31%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 27.19% over a population estimate of 22.95 million. [99]
The telecom regulator in Mozambique is Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Moçambique (INCM).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tmcel |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
5.3 [100][ when?] | Partially state-owned |
2 | Vodacom |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
4.3 [41] (Mar 2014) | Vodacom (85%) |
3 | Movitel | GSM | 2 [101] (May 2013) | Viettel (70%), SPI (30%) [102] |
In December 2016 Namibia had 2.66 million active SIM cards. [103]
The telecom regulator in Namibia is Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN). [104]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTC [105] |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSUPA, HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
2.422 (Dec 2016) |
Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings (66%) Portugal Telecom (34%) |
2 |
TN Mobile
[106] (formerly Cell One, Leo) |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.187 (Dec 2016) | Telecom Namibia Ltd. |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 20.63% over a population estimate of 16.5 million.
The telecom regulator is Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et de la Poste (ARTP).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Airtel | GSM-900 | 1.31 (June 2009) | Bharti |
2 | Niger Telecoms | GSM-900 | 2.5 (Q1 2012) | Sahel-Com, Lap Green overtaken by government [107] |
3 | Zamani Telecom |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.462 [29] (Dec 2009) | Zamani Com |
4 | Moov Africa Niger | GSM-900 | Not Yet Available | Maroc Telecom |
The telecom regulator in Nigeria is Nigerian Communications Commission.
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
74.04 [108] (May 2021) | MTN (41.5%) |
2 |
Airtel (formerly Zain) |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
50.02 [109] (May 2021) | Bharti Airtel (20.6%) |
3 | Glo Mobile |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
49.78 [110] (May 2021) | Globacom (20.78%) |
4 | 9mobile (formerly Etisalat) |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
12.84 [110] (May 2021) | Etisalat, Mubadala, Nigerian Investors (15.60%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 142.19% over a population estimate of 3 million. [111]
The telecom regulator in Oman is Telecommunications Regulatory Authority هيئة تنظيم الاتصالات (TRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Omantel |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 1800 MHz FD- LTE, 2300 MHz TD-LTE |
2.72 [112] (Dec 2013) | Omantel (99%) |
2 |
Ooredoo (formerly Nawras) |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 800/1800 MHz FD- LTE, 2300 MHz TD-LTE |
2.472 [65] (Q2 2014) | Ooredoo (55%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 97.5% over a population estimate of 2.5 million. [113]
The telecom regulator in Palestine is Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (PTRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jawwal |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE)
2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
2.45 [114] (Q1 2012) | Paltel |
2 | Ooredoo |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE)
2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
0.679 [65] (Q2 2014) | Ooredoo (57%), Palestine Investment Fund (43%) |
As of Q3 2022, Qatar had 4.5 million active mobile subscribers in total. [115]
The telecom regulator in Qatar is Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Ooredoo (formerly Qtel) |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 800/1800/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
2.5 [115] (Q3 2022) | Ooredoo |
2 | Vodafone |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 800/1800/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
2.0 [115] (Q3 2022) | Qatar Foundation LLC (50%), Pension Fund (13.05%), free float (36.95%) |
This French overseas territory has ? million subscribers in total, or a 74.7% penetration rate. [116] (2008)
The telecom regulator in La Réunion is Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SFR |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
Not Yet Available | SFR |
2 | Orange |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
Not Yet Available | Orange |
3 | FREE |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
Not Yet Available | fr: ILIAD and TELCO OI |
In December 2013 the penetration rate was estimated at 63.5% over a population estimate of 11.4 million. [117]
The telecom regulator in Rwanda is Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN Rwanda |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
3.65 [118] (Dec 2017) | MTN Group (55%), Crystal Telecom (35%) |
2 | Airtel |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ LTE |
~5.00 [118] (Dec 2017) | Bharti Airtel |
- | Rwandatel |
CdmaOne GSM-900/1800 2100 MHz UMTS |
[119] (license revoked Apr 2011) | LAP Green Networks (80%) |
As of the 2021 census, 73.7% of households reported having access to at least one mobile phone, and 66.0% reported having access to the internet. [120]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sure | GSM-900 | Not Yet Available | Batelco |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 57.94% over a population estimate of 0.18 million. [122]
The telecom regulator in São Tomé and Príncipe is Autoridade Geral de Regulação (AGER). [123]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CST [124] | GSM-900 UMTS [125] | 0.078 [23] (September 2009) | Portugal Telecom (51%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 162.6% over a population estimate of 26.1 million. [126]
The telecom regulator in Saudi Arabia is Communications and Information Technology Commission هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات (CITC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | stc | 2G :
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 3G :900/2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 4G FD-LTE :700/1800/2100 MHz 4G TD-LTE :2300 MHz 5G NR:3500 MHz |
19.914 [127] (Q3 2010) | 70% state owned and 30% private[ citation needed] |
2 | Mobily | 2G :
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 3G :900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 4G TD-LTE:2600 MHz 4G FD-LTE:800/1800/2100 MHz |
15.06 [127] (Q3 2010) | Etisalat (27.45%) |
3 | Zain | 2G:
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 3G:900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 4G FD-LTE:800/900/1800/2100 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
11.40 (Dec 2015) | Zain Group (37%) |
4 | Virgin mobile KSA |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800 MHz FD- LTE, 2300 MHz TD-LTE |
2.8 (2017) [128] | |
5 | Lebara Mobile KSA |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 1800 MHz FD- LTE, 2600 MHz TD-LTE |
Lebara |
At the end of December 2015 the penetration rate was estimated at 110,74%, over a population estimate of 13,5 millions. [129]
The telecom regulator in Senegal is Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes (ARTP).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orange |
GSM-900 2100 MHz UMTS |
9.936 [129] (31 Dec 2015) | Sonatel, Orange S.A. (52.2%) |
2 | Free |
GSM-900 UMTS, HSPA+ |
3.355 [129] (31 Dec 2015) | Teyliom, NJJ and AXIAN [130] |
3 | Expresso |
CDMA GSM-900/1800 UMTS |
3.188 [129] (31 Dec 2015) | Sudatel |
4 | Hayo Telecom |
CDMA GSM-900/1800 UMTS |
0.483 [129] (31 Dec 2015) | CSU |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 245% over a population estimate of 0.09 million. [131]
The telecom regulator in Seychelles is Department of Information Communications Technology (ICT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Airtel |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.065 [132] | Bharti Airtel |
2 | Cable & Wireless | GSM-900 MHz | Not Yet Available | Cable & Wireless |
The country has 0.8 million subscribers in total, or a 13.23% penetration rate. [133] (2007)
The telecom regulator in Sierra Leone is National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Africell |
GSM-900 UMTS |
2.9 [134] (Feb 2015) | Lintel Limited |
2 | Orange |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.644 [135] (Feb 2012) | Orange [17] |
3 | Sierratel | CDMA | Not Yet Available | government, managed by MDIC [136] |
4 | Qcell |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
Qcell | |
Comium |
GSM-900/1800 WiMAX |
0.650 [137] (2009) | Comium licence revoked since October 2014, [138] while NATCOM managers have been sacked in 2015 [139] | |
GreenN | GSM | Not Yet Available | Ambitel ( LapGreen) licence revoked since September 2014 [140] |
As of 2009, dial up internet services in Somalia were among the fastest developing in the region, with an annual landline growth rate of over 12.5%. Internet via satellite also had a steady growth rate of 10% to 15% per year. [141]
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hormuud |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
2.38 [142] (Q4 2015) | Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc |
2 | Telcom Somalia |
GSM 2100 MHz UMTS |
1.00 [142] (Q4 2015) | Haatif Telecom Somalia |
3 | Telesom Mobile |
GSM 2100 MHz UMTS |
0.80 [142] (Q4 2015) | Telesom Group |
4 | Nationlink | GSM-900 | 0.71 [142] (Q4 2015) | Bintel |
5 | Somtel |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.46 [142] (Q4 2015) | Dahabshiil |
6 | Golis Telecom Somalia | GSM-900 | 0.24 [142] (Q4 2015) | Golis Telecom Somalia, Gaani Wireless |
7 | Somafone | GSM-900 | 0.20 [142] (Q4 2015) | Somali Telecom Group |
8 | Netco | GSM-900 | Not Yet Available | Somali Telecom Group |
9 | SomNet [143] [144] |
GSM-900 LTE |
Not Yet Available | SomNet Telecom |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 99.6% over a population estimate of 49 million. [145]
The telecom regulator in South Africa is Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vodacom |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE |
39.433 [146] (August 2020) | Vodacom (65.1%) |
2 | MTN |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800 MHz LTE 5G 3500 MHz |
29.028 [147] (August 2020) | MTN Group |
3 | Cell C |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 1800/2100 MHz LTE, LTE-A |
14.407 [148] (Mar 2020) |
Oger Telecom in process of diluting it's 70% stake to 27%
Blue Label Telecoms is planning to acquire a 30% stake in Cell C [149] |
4 | Telkom |
GSM-1800 (
GPRS) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ 2300 MHz LTE |
4.0 [150] (March 2017) | Telkom |
5 | Rain | 1800 MHz
LTE
5G 3500 MHz |
Rain (formerly Wireless Business Solutions) 80%
ARC 20% |
The country has 1 million subscribers in total, or an 8% penetration rate. [151]
The telecom regulator in South Sudan is Ministry of Telecommunication and Postal Services (MOTPS).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.787 [38] (Sep 2014) | MTN Group |
2 | Zain |
GSM (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
0.664 [9] (Sep 2014) | Zain Group |
3 | Sudani |
GSM (
GPRS) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
Not Yet Available | Sudatel[not operationally active] |
4 | Vivacell (NOW) | GSM-900/1800 MHz | Not Yet Available | Fattouch Investment Group (75%), Wawat Securities (25%) [152] |
5 | Gemtel | GSM-900/1800 MHz | Not Yet Available | Lap Green Networks (80%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 42.3% over a population estimate of 45 million. [153]
The telecom regulator in Sudan is National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zain |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+, LTE |
11.095 [9] (Sep 2014) | Zain Group |
2 | MTN |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, LTE |
8.474 [38] (Sep 2014) | MTN Group (85%) |
3 | Sudani |
CDMA GSM-1800 MHz ( GPRS) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA |
Not Yet Available | Sudatel |
4 | Canar | CdmaOne | Not Yet Available | Bank of Khartoum (100%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 49.55% over a population estimate of 1.37 million. [154]
The telecom regulator in Swaziland is Swaziland Communications Commission (SCCom).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
0.928 (Sep 2014) [38] | MTN Group (30%) |
2 | Eswatini Mobile | LTE | Not Yet Available |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 46.6% over a population estimate of 22.5 million. [155]
The telecom regulator in Syrian Arab Republic is Syrian Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (SyTRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
MTN (formerly Areeba) |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, LTE |
5.676 (Sep 2014) [38] | MTN Group (39%) |
2 | Syriatel |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+, LTE |
7.1 [156] (Aug 2014) | Rami Makhlouf |
In March 2020 the penetration rate was estimated at 86% [157] over a population estimate of 51 million.
The telecom regulator in Tanzania is Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vodacom |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
15.59 [157] (March 2020) | Vodacom (75%) |
2 |
Airtel (formerly Zain) |
GSM-900/1800 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
13.39 [157] (March 2020) |
Bharti Airtel
(51%) |
3 | Tigo |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ LTE |
12.64 [157] (March 2020) | Axian Group |
4 | Halotel |
GSM UMTS |
5.5 | Viettel Tanzania Limited (Subsidiary of Viettel Group [158] [159]) |
5 | Zantel |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
0.93 [157] (March 2020) | Etisalat (51%) and Zanzibar Telecom Ltd |
In June 2014 the penetration rate was estimated at 60.7% over a population estimate of 7.2 million. [160]
The telecom regulator in Togo is Autorité de Règlementation des secteurs de Postes et de Télécommunications (ARTP).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Togocel |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
2.751 (Q4 2014) [ citation needed] | Togo Telecom (state owned) |
2 | Moov Africa Togo | GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE) | 1.648 (Q4 2014) [ citation needed] | Maroc Telecom |
The country has 14.7 million subscribers in total, or about 125.6% penetration rate. [161] (Q3 2017)
The telecom regulator in Tunisia is Instance Nationale des Télécommunications (INT).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Ooredoo (formerly Tunisiana) |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+ |
8,836,544 [161] (Q3 2017) | Ooredoo (75%) |
2 | Tunisie Telecom |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
4,462,998 [161] (Q3 2017) |
Tunisie Télécom Group (65%), Tecom DIG (35%) [162] |
3 | Orange |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
3,907,791 [161] (Q3 2017) | Orange S.A., Divona |
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti has 91.3 million subscribers in total, or a 107.1% penetration rate. [163] (Q2 2023)
The telecom regulator in Turkey is Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK : Bilgi Teknolojileri ve Iletisim Kurumu).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Turkcell |
GSM 900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+, 3C-HSDPA 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro VoLTE, VoWiFi 5G (testing) |
37.64 (Q2 2023) [163] | Turkey Wealth Fund (26.2%), LetterOne (19.8%), free float (54%) |
2 |
Vodafone (Formerly Telsim) |
GSM 900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+ 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro VoLTE, VoWiFi 5G (testing) |
24.890 (Q3 2024) [163] | Vodafone Group plc |
3 |
Türk Telekom (Formerly Avea, Aria, Aycell) |
GSM 900 (only in rural areas)/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900/2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+ 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro VoLTE, VoWiFi 5G (testing) |
25.61 (Q2 2023) [163] | Türk Telekom |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 30.78% over a population estimate of 34.6 million. [164]
The telecom regulator in Uganda is Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN Uganda |
CDMA GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 2600 MHz TD-LTE WiMAX |
10.181 [38] (September 2014) | MTN Group (96%) |
2 | Airtel Uganda |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
4.6 [165] (April 2013) | Bharti Airtel |
3 | UTel |
CdmaOne GSM-900 MHz ( GPRS, EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
1.0 (July 2016) | Uganda Telecommunications Corporation Limited |
4 | Smile Telecom (Uganda) | |||
5 | Lycamobile |
As of June 2023, the total number of active mobile subscriptions was 20.3 million. [166]
The telecom regulator in United Arab Emirates is Telecommunications Regulatory Authority الهيئة العامة لتنظيم قطاع الاتصالات (TRA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Etisalat |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 900 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 800/1800/2100/2600/3500 MHz LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR |
10.8 [167] (July 2019) | UAE Federal Government (40%) and public shareholders (60%) |
2 | du |
GSM-900/1800 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ 800/1800/2100/2600/3500 MHz LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR |
7.9 [168] (2022) | UAE Federal Government (39.5%), Mubadala Development Company (19.75%), TECOM Investments (19.5%), and public shareholders (21.25%) |
In September 2010 the penetration rate was estimated at 38.4% over a population estimate of 24.1 million. [169] Because of unreliable coverage of mobile services in certain areas, particularly in rural areas, it is common for Yemenis to utilize a phone with Dual SIM capability.
The telecom regulator in Yemen is the Public Telecommunication Corporation.
Rank | Operator | Mobile Prefix | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yemen Mobile | +967-77 |
CDMA2000/1xEVDO-RevA (800 MHz) 4G LTE FDD: Bands 3, 20, 28 (700/800/1800 MHz) [170] |
9.5 (2021) [171] | Government-run company with shareholders. |
2 | Sabafon | +967-71 | GSM 900 MHz | 6 (2021) [172] | Al-Ahmar Group Batelco Hayel Saeed Anam & Co. Ltd. Consolidated Constructors International company S.A.L. (CCC) |
3 | YOU (formerly Spacetel, MTN) |
+967-73 | GSM 900 MHz | 4.7 (2021) [173] | Emerald International Investment, a subsidiary of the Zubair Corporation [174] |
4 | Y Telecom (formerly HiTS-UNITEL) | +967-70 | GSM 900 MHz | Unknown | Formerly, owned by Saudi and Kuwaiti corporations. Currently owned by the family of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi [175] |
In December 2011 the penetration rate was estimated at 62% over a population estimate of 13.9 million. [176]
The telecom regulator in Zambia is Zambia Information & Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MTN |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, DC-HSPA+ |
4.447 [38] (Sep 2014) | MTN Group |
2 | Airtel |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
4.04 [177] (May 2014) | Bharti Airtel (78.88%) |
3 | Zamtel |
GSM-900 MHz (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSPA+ |
1.2 (Dec 2011)[ citation needed] | Zambia Telecommunications Company Ltd |
In December 2011 the penetration rate was estimated at 74.7% to 9.037 million subscribers. [178]
The telecom regulator in Zimbabwe is Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
Rank | Operator | Technology | Subscribers (in millions) |
Ownership |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Econet |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 1800 MHz LTE WiMAX |
5.686 [179] (February 2012) | Econet Wireless (Private) Limited |
2 | telecel |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA |
1.875 [179] (February 2012) | State-owned |
3 | NetOne |
GSM-900 (
GPRS,
EDGE) 2100 MHz UMTS, HSDPA 1800 MHz LTE |
1.456 [179] (February 2012) | NetOne Cellular (Pvt) Ltd (government) |
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