West Bank Communications 2021, CIA World Factbook

total subscriptions: 472,293 (includes Gaza Strip) (2017 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (includes Gaza Strip) (2016 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 4,135,363 (includes Gaza Strip) (2017 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 76 (includes Gaza Strip) (2017 est.)

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: continuing political and economic instability has impeded liberalization of the telecommunications industry (2018)

domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed-line services; two Palestinian cellular providers, JAWWAL and WATANIYA MOBILE, launched 3G mobile networks in the West Bank in January 2018 after Israel lifted its ban; fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular 76 per 100 (includes Gaza Strip) (2019)

international: country code 970 or 972; 1 international switch in Ramallah

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadcast media

the Palestinian Authority operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; about 20 private TV and 40 radio stations; both Jordanian TV and satellite TV are accessible

Internet country code

.psnote - same as Gaza Strip

Internet users

total: 2.673 million (includes Gaza Strip)

percent of population: 57.4% (July 2016 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 371,299

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2017 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip

NOTE: The information regarding West Bank on this page is re-published from the 2021 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of West Bank 2021 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about West Bank 2021 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.