UAE Achieves Digital Transformation Milestone with 99% Internet Users and Lightning-Fast Download Speeds
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has released its Digital UAE – Factsheet report, revealing the remarkable progress of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in terms of digital transformation. The report showcases the wide range of digital opportunities available in the country and highlights the impressive achievements made in both the public and private sectors.
According to the report, the UAE has achieved an unprecedented level of internet penetration, with 99% of the population actively using the internet. This percentage is the highest globally, demonstrating the country’s commitment to creating a digitally inclusive society. Internet usage in the UAE encompasses various activities, including social networking, work-related tasks, information searches, e-learning, entertainment, and online shopping.
Remarkably, the report also indicates that download speeds on smartphones have reached an impressive 161.15 Mbit/s, which represents an annual growth rate of over 2.3%. Furthermore, fixed internet download speeds are recorded at 207.41 Mbit/s, showing a substantial increase compared to previous years. These lightning-fast download speeds are a testament to the UAE’s dedication to providing its citizens with efficient and seamless digital experiences.
Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, the Director-General of TDRA, praised the report’s findings, stating that they reflect the UAE’s thriving digital landscape and the nation’s successful adoption of digital solutions in all aspects of life, including government and public services. Al Mesmar emphasized the UAE’s commitment to digital transformation, which is considered a vital economic necessity, ensuring the country’s continuous progress amidst rapid global changes. He also highlighted the importance of partnership and collaboration among government entities, which has been key to the UAE’s achievements in various digital initiatives.
The report also sheds light on the Unified Digital Platform of the UAE government, known as U.ae, which serves as the primary interface for accessing public information and services offered by governmental entities. The platform has witnessed an impressive number of visitors, with 19 million people accessing it and recording a staggering 30 million visits in 2022 alone. U.ae integrates 221 governmental entities, providing a total of 2,630 digital services. The high satisfaction rate of 90% among visitors further emphasizes the platform’s success in serving as a leading digital interface both domestically and globally.
Significantly, this year witnessed a major enhancement to the Unified Digital Platform with the introduction of a search feature powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI). This upgrade has significantly improved the speed, accuracy, and exclusivity of search results, resulting in 60,000 searches within the first month of its launch and an impressive satisfaction rate of 98.5%.
Another notable achievement highlighted in the report is the digital identity app, UAE Pass, which has seen remarkable progress. To date, the app boasts 5 million registered users who have access to nearly 15,000 electronic services. This achievement further solidifies the UAE’s commitment to providing citizens with secure and efficient digital solutions.
The report also reveals the significant increase in the adoption of the UAE’s top-level domain .ae for websites. The number of registered websites under this domain has exceeded 300,000, with over 46,000 new domains registered in 2022 alone. This surge represents a 20% increase compared to the previous year and demonstrates the UAE’s strong digital presence.
Additionally, the report provides insights into the country’s social media usage, with the UAE boasting 10 million active accounts. This number translates to a percentage of 105.5% based on the population and 106.6% based on the number of internet users. On average, people spend 2.33 hours on social media daily. Moreover, app downloads have reached 569 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 16.4%. The value of app purchases has also seen a significant increase, totaling AED1.587 billion, which represents a 25.3% surge in app expenditure.
The UAE’s commitment to digital transformation and the remarkable achievements highlighted in the report solidify the nation’s position as a leader in the digital landscape. The government’s unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive and efficient digital environment has propelled the UAE into the forefront of the global digital revolution. As the country moves forward with its vision for 2031, the UAE is well-equipped to embrace future digital advancements and continue its journey towards excellence.
