Mobile phone subscriptions surpass population: Telecoms Authority

The number of mobile phone subscribers in the Maldives has reached 475,192, according to figures released by the Telecommunications Authority of Maldives.

Given the country’s population (2009) of 396,334, this figure many indicate that almost a quarter of the population have more than one mobile phone.

Prepaid was the most popular, with 403,184 such subscriptions, while 72,008 were postpaid mobile users.

Fixed lines totaleed 48,112 at the end of August, with most lines (35,075) in Male, Villingili, Aarah, Hulhule and Hulhumale. Resort islands total 980 lines, while there are 224 on uninhabited islands.

The country has 12,248 ADSL internet users and 1087 connecting over ISDN.