Mobile networks play a crucial role in Yemen’s connectivity, given the lack of fixed broadband. As of early 2023, Yemen had about 20 million active mobile cellular connections (SIM cards) in use ukraine.wilsoncenter.org– roughly equivalent to 50–60% of the population. Many Yemenis maintain more than one SIM (often to compensate for patchy coverage or take advantage of different plans), so the number of unique mobile internet users is lower than the SIM count ukraine.wilsoncenter.org. Still, mobile telephony is one of the few telecom sectors that has expanded in Yemen over the past two decades, and mobile internet (3G/4G data) is often the only way people can get online outside major cities. All four mobile operators offer data services. Yemen Mobile (government-owned) initially built a CDMA network but has upgraded to 4G LTE in recent years. YOU (formerly MTN Yemen) and Sabafon operate GSM networks and have also introduced 4G in some areas, while Y Telecom is smaller. These companies have slowly been rolling out 3G and 4G to new areas despite the war. For example, Sabafon launched 4G service in Aden in 2022 after relocating its headquarters to government territory khuyut.com. By 2023, about 56.7% of the population was covered by at least a 4G signal, while the rest are limited to older 2G/3G networks (or no coverage at all) worlddata.info. Notably, there is still no 5G network in Yemen as of 2024, whereas many countries have begun deploying 5G worlddata.info.
Efforts to expand broadband have been hampered by the conflict and the divided administration of the country. However, there have been some initiatives: the launch of AdenNet in 2018 was a significant step to introduce modern broadband (fiber and LTE wireless) in areas under the official government. AdenNet offers fiber-to-the-premises for institutions and fixed-wireless 4G broadband for households in Aden and reportedly parts of southern governorates smex.org. This provided a new high-speed option, advertised at lower prices than YemenNet’s DSL smex.org. Its rollout has been slow, covering only parts of Aden and a few other cities so far smex.org. Meanwhile, in Houthi-controlled regions, the authorities have reportedly worked with the existing operators to introduce 4G as well – for instance, the rebranded YOU (ex-MTN) network in the north announced 4G LTE services. Yet, given import restrictions and infrastructure damage, progress is limited. Broadband expansion in Yemen thus largely means incremental improvements to mobile networks and selective fiber deployments. There are virtually no nationwide fiber-to-home programs or large-scale new broadband projects beyond what the two rival telecom authorities (Sana’a and Aden) undertake for their areas.
Another recent development in expanding access is the pursuit of alternative routes and new infrastructure to improve resilience. After repeated outages from the Hodeidah cable, the government in Aden has sought new international fiber links. In late 2022, Yemen’s government activated the Aden-Djibouti submarine cable, intended to provide a direct international connection for south Yemen, diversifying away from Hodeidah. However, this cable faced technical outages as well
documents1.worldbank.org. There are also reports of planning to join regional cable systems (for example, potentially linking to the PEACE cable via Oman or other regional hubs) to increase bandwidth and redundancy, though such projects take time and stability. On the policy side, the Ministry of Telecommunications (in Aden) has expressed interest in liberalizing the mobile and internet market to attract new investments once security allows, as competition could spur better coverage. So far, these plans are nascent. In practical terms, mobile connectivity remains the lifeline for most Yemenis using the internet. Any expansion of 4G coverage or addition of new cell towers can directly translate to more people getting online. However, the challenges of powering cell sites (amid fuel shortages and electricity blackouts) and keeping them secure in conflict zones persist.
Read more at https://ts2.tech/en/internet-access-in-yemen-overview-and-key-aspects/
