Technology · Glossary
Mobile cellular subscriptions (per 100 people)
IT.CEL.SETS.P2
Definition
Mobile cellular telephone subscriptions are subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service that provide access to the PSTN using cellular technology. The indicator includes (and is split into) the number of postpaid subscriptions, and the number of active prepaid accounts (i.e. that have been used during the last three months). The indicator applies to all mobile cellular subscriptions that offer voice communications. It excludes subscriptions via data cards or USB modems, subscriptions to public mobile data services, private trunked mobile radio, telepoint, radio paging and telemetry services.
Methodology for Technology indicators
Technology indicators (internet users, mobile subscriptions, broadband, ICT services) are reported by the ITU based on operator returns. Mobile subscription counts often exceed 100% because of multi-SIM behavior, particularly in markets where users have separate SIMs for work, personal, and data. Internet user figures rely on surveys and can lag actual adoption.
How to interpret
- Always check the unit and reporting year before comparing values across countries.
- NULL or "Not available" means the World Bank did not publish a value — we never estimate.
- Year-over-year changes can be driven by methodology updates, not just real economic shifts.