The trade in telecommunication services within the UAE saw a notable increase of 4.3 percent in 2024, amounting to AED10.2 billion ($2.8 billion), up from AED9.8 billion in 2023, as per data published by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).
This growth was primarily fueled by a robust performance in the fourth quarter of 2024, which witnessed a year-on-year surge of 12.95 percent, elevating the quarterly trade value in telecom services to AED2.70 billion.
Furthermore, the data indicated that exports of telecom services rose by 6.49 percent in 2024, reaching AED4.9 billion, while imports experienced a growth of 2.38 percent, totaling AED5.3 billion.
The fourth quarter accounted for the largest share of annual telecommunications trade at 26.45 percent, with the third quarter following at 25.34 percent (AED2.59 billion), the second quarter at 25.05 percent (AED2.56 billion), and the first quarter at 23.17 percent (AED2.37 billion).
This notable performance highlights the strategic importance of the telecom sector in bolstering the UAE’s digital economy, facilitating the growth of e-commerce, and advancing technological infrastructure.
FCSC is a governmental center linked with the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. It was established to enhance and develop the UAE’s performance in global competitiveness, statistics, and data, thereby supporting the country’s aspirations towards achieving the UAE’s Centennial Plan 2071.
UAE telecom market growth
The UAE’s telecom market reached $12.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to continue strong growth driven by 5G deployment, high smartphone penetration, and heavy investments in digital infrastructure.
Exports of telecommunication equipment specifically (not only services) amounted to about $25 billion in 2023, highlighting the UAE’s role as a key distributor and re-exporter in the region.
In May 2025, the UAE achieved the top global position in the telecommunications infrastructure index, the institutional framework for digital government, and the digital content index, as stated in the second edition of the “State of Digital Transformation Report.”
The report emphasized the UAE government’s digital accomplishments across 12 crucial sectors, including the economy, finance, human resources, health, education, community development, culture and youth, immigration and foreign affairs, security and justice, infrastructure and energy, logistics, and the environment.
