UAE ranks 1st globally in internet and telephony level of competition

The UAE has jumped from the 104th spot to first place globally in the internet and telephony level of competition, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), announced.

This was revealed in the Knowledge Index Report, which was recently published by the United Nations Development Programme and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.

The UAE also progressed from the 61st to the 5th rank globally in the Sector Competitiveness Index for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Inputs, which measures the ICT price basket, internet and telephony level of competition, and laws relating to ICTs.

Commenting on the ranking, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director-General, said, "The advanced level of competitiveness in the telecommunications sector in the UAE reflects the success of the one-team strategy used by government entities in national projects and initiatives management. This accomplishment has been achieved by all of us, and we hope to continue to maintain the UAE’s leading position and to enhance our national vision to make the UAE the first globally in various fields. TRA has been working closely with the entities concerned to develop regulatory policies for the sector, which led to the creation of a competitive sector."

Al Mansoori added that the two key factors needed by a country to be successful are a wise leadership and ambitious and committed people, both of which the UAE has.

This achievement is an addition to the previous series of achievements of the UAE in terms of global competitiveness in the telecommunication sector, as the UAE ranked first globally in mobile-broadband subscriptions, in addition to achieving first place for the population covered by mobile-cellular networks, as well as the population covered by data networks (3G and above services).

The country also ranked second globally in mobile-cellular subscriptions, fourth globally in the percentage of households equipped with a personal computer, seventh globally in the percentage of households with home internet access, and eight globally in the percentage of internet users.

The UAE also advanced 18 sports in the 'ICT Adoption' Pillar, in addition to reaching the second rank globally in the United Nations Telecommunication Infrastructure Index.

WAM