GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index Highlights UAE as Mobile Internet Leader 

Latest GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index Tracks Global Progress on Mobile Internet Adoption

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has increased its overall score on the “GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index” by 5 points within the last 2 years according to the new report published at the GSMA Mobile 360–Middle East and North Africa.

GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index Highlights UAE as Mobile Internet Leader

Between 2014-2016, the UAE has showed a phenomenal growth in in the all 4 basic enablers of mobile internet adoption as measured by the Mobile Connectivity Index:

• Affordability
• Infrastructure
• Consumer Readiness
• Content

The overall score of the UAE over the 2 years duration increased from 67 to 72.

For entire report please visit: GSMA

“The UAE added around half a million new mobile internet subscribers between 2014 and 2016, which means that almost 80 per cent of the country’s population is now using mobile devices to access the internet, underlining the UAE’s position as one of the most advanced markets in the world in terms of mobile internet adoption. This improvement was driven particularly by increasing mobile network quality and the availability of more locally relevant mobile apps and social media content.”

Said JawadAbbassi, Head of MENA region at the GSMA.

GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index scores, UAE Vs. Regional/Global Averages (2016)
	UAE	MENA region (average)	Global (average)
Mobile internet adoption enablers:
–        Infrastructure	68	52	52
–        Affordability	82	62	62
–        Consumer readiness	68	59	68
–        Content	73	63	59
Overall Mobile Connectivity Index score	72	58	59
Mobile internet subscribers	7.5m	210m	3,500m
Mobile internet penetration (% of population)	78%	38%	48%

Source: GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index