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.
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
CHELSEA SQUAD
Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Chalobah, Sarr, Azpilicueta, James, Kenedy, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner, Havertz, Lukaku.
