Afghanistan’s 4G subscriber base has surpassed 10 million, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, highlighting a sharp increase in access to high-speed mobile internet across the country.
Inayatullah Alokozay, spokesman for the ministry, said Afghanistan currently has around 32 million active SIM cards and approximately 17 million internet users.
Of those internet users, nearly 10 million are now using 4G services.
4G adoption rises sharply
Alokozay said the number of 4G subscribers stood at just over 2 million before the Islamic Emirate returned to power.
The latest figure therefore represents a substantial increase in the number of users accessing fourth-generation mobile services.
The ministry also said the total number of internet users has risen from below 10 million to around 17 million.
Telecom coverage expansion drives growth
The government attributed the increase to wider telecommunications coverage across Afghanistan.
As mobile network availability has expanded, more users have gained access to internet services and higher-speed mobile connectivity.
The growth in 4G adoption suggests that network expansion is not only increasing basic access, but also shifting users toward more advanced mobile broadband services.
Mobile remains central to internet access
With around 32 million active SIM cards in the country, mobile connectivity remains a key part of Afghanistan’s digital infrastructure.
The rise in 4G usage is particularly important in a market where fixed broadband coverage is limited and mobile networks provide the primary route to internet access for many users.
Greater availability of 4G can support services such as digital payments, online education, messaging, video, e-commerce and access to government information.
Why this matters
The increase in 4G subscribers reflects meaningful progress in expanding digital access across Afghanistan.
Moving from just over 2 million 4G users to nearly 10 million broadens the base of people able to use higher-bandwidth digital services.
The key next step will be whether network expansion is matched by improvements in affordability, service quality, device access and rural coverage.
Editor’s note
The headline figure is significant, but subscriber growth alone does not tell the full story.
The more important measure will be how consistently 4G services are available across the country and whether users can afford the devices and data packages needed to benefit from them.
If coverage and affordability continue to improve, the expansion of 4G could play an important role in widening access to digital services in Afghanistan.
