The number of telecoms subscribers in the UAE reached 21.9 million in December last year, recording a monthly increase of 112,391 users, according to the UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
The number of mobile users rose to 16.8 million in December, up from 16.7 million in November. There were 186.1 mobile connections per 100 people.
More than 78 per cent of the mobile users opted for pre-paid plans owing to the affordability and availability of flexible subscription options, TRA said. There were 13.2 million pre-paid mobile users by the end of December, while post-paid customers numbered 3.6 million.
The TRA did not disclose the total number of subscribers in the UAE last year.
Telecom usage in the UAE and across the world soared over the past year as companies increasingly switched to remote working to stem the spread of the pandemic. The Emirates also temporarily lifted a ban on voice-over-internet protocol applications and other video conferencing tools to help remote working.
The total number of internet subscriptions in the UAE totalled nearly 3 million in December, almost the same as of November, according to the TRA. There were almost 33 broadband internet connections per 100 residents in the Emirates, it added.
A separate research by Dubai-based research and digital media agency Global Media Insight revealed that more than 98 per cent of the UAE residents were active internet users in 2020.
Growth in fixed-line users in the country remained flat at 2.1 million subscribers in December, with 23.6 connections per 100 residents, according to the TRA.
Industry analysts said the introduction of 5G connectivity in the UAE is expected to propel the telecoms sector growth.
In 2019, Etisalat became the first service provider in the region to offer a 5G network, supporting smartphones for commercial use. Soon du and Bahrain's Batelco followed suit.
In September, Etisalat extended the scope of 5G on fixed-line networks as the work from home trend in the UAE drove demand for faster connections.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Sassuolo v Bologna (11.45pm)
Saturday
Brescia v Torino (6pm)
Inter Milan v Verona (9pm)
Napoli v Genoa (11.45pm)
Sunday
Cagliari v Verona (3.30pm)
Udinese v SPAL (6pm)
Sampdoria v Atalanta (6pm)
Lazio v Lecce (6pm)
Parma v Roma (9pm)
Juventus v Milan (11.45pm)
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Director: Ron Howard
2/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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