Geographic Regions

Africa is currently experiencing a mobile revolution. Mobile phone subscriptions quintupled from 90 million in 2007 to 475 million in 2013, and is forecast to rise further to 930 million by 2019. Chinese telecommunication companies, specifically Huawei and ZTE, play a significant role in this due to their rapid expansion in the continent.

The Arab States ITU region comprises North African, Gulf, and Middle Eastern countries. Mobile cellular penetration has exceeded saturation, reaching 110.5% in 2017. Internet access penetration increased from 41.6% of individuals in 2016 to 43.7% in 2017. International internet bandwidth increased from 15 kb/s/user in 2016 to 39 kb/s/user in 2017.

Throughout the Asia Pacific region mobile cellular penetration reached 93% of individuals, and mobile broadband penetration now exceeding 42.6% in 2017. Internet access penetration increased from 41.9% of individuals in 2016 to 43.9% in 2017. International internet bandwidth increased from 13 kb/s/user in 2016 to 48 kb/s/user in 2017.

Mobile cellular penetration in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) reached 142% in 2016, and mobile broadband penetration exceeding 53%. Internet access penetration increased from 66.6% of individuals in 2016 to 67.7% in 2017. International internet bandwidth increased from 24 kb/s/user in 2016 to 59 kb/s/user in 2017.

Throughout the European ITU region, mobile cellular penetration has exceeded saturation now at 119.8%, and mobile broadband penetration now exceeding 76.6% in 2017. Internet access penetration increased from 79.1% of individuals in 2016 to 79.6% in 2017. International internet bandwidth increased from 131 kb/s/user in 2016 to 178 kb/s/user in 2017.

The Americas region which encompasses both North and South America, along with the Caribbean, saw mobile cellular penetration reach 111.8% of individuals, and mobile broadband penetration exceed 78.2% in 2017. Internet access penetration increased from 65% of individuals in 2016 to 65.9% in 2017. International internet bandwidth increased from 46 kb/s/user in 2016 to 91 kb/s/user in 2017.

Antarctica utilises a mix of handheld radio and satellite phone services to provide communications between research stations on the continent. Argentine bases have GSM networks provided by Argentinean carriers Claro and Movistar, relying on satellite uplink as their backhaul to mainland Argentina.

Resources relating to wireless communications in outer space, a region defined by the Outer Space Treaty as any altitude above the Kármán line. This section includes any wireless infrastructure deployed into orbit, including conventional satellite, IoT, and sensor networks.

Information relating to telecommunication networks planned for operation on the lunar surface. 2017 saw Vodafone announce its Mission to the Moon, an intention to deploy LTE and C-V2X services to facilitate communication between landing modules and exploratory rovers.