Page last updated on February 15,

Telephones - main lines in use:
2.923 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 52
[see also: Telephones - main lines in use country ranks ]

Telephones - mobile cellular:
32.78 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 31
[see also: Telephones - mobile cellular country ranks ]

Telephone system:
general assessment: privatization of Algeria's telecommunications sector began in 2000; three mobile cellular licenses have been issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and operate a fixed-line network in Algeria; the license will allow Orascom to develop high-speed data and other specialized services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled demand for basic residential telephony; Internet broadband services began in 2003
domestic: a limited network of fixed lines with a teledensity of less than 10 telephones per 100 persons is offset by the rapid increase in mobile-cellular subscribership; in 2010, combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity was roughly 100 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 213; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite earth stations - 51 (Intelsat, Intersputnik, and Arabsat) (2010)

Broadcast media:
state-run Radio-Television Algerienne operates the broadcast media and carries programming in Arabic, Berber dialects, and French; use of satellite dishes is widespread, providing easy access to European and Arab satellite stations; state-run radio operates several national networks and roughly 40 regional radio stations (2007)

Internet country code:
.dz

Internet hosts:
561 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 177
[see also: Internet hosts country ranks ]

Internet users:
4.7 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 49
[see also: Internet users country ranks ]