The UAE is ranked ahead of all Arab states in the 2015 Networked Readiness Index (NRI) issued by the World Economic Forum, and twenty-third among all 143 countries assessed, moving up one position from twenty-fourth place in 2014.
International indices ranking a range of information and communication technology (ICT) indicators demonstrate the robust nature of the UAE's telecommunications sector and the government's success in leveraging advances in information and communication technologies to drive economic productivity and social development.
Internationally, the UAE is ranked first in ICT use and Government efficiency, first in mobile network coverage, in terms of the percentage of the population covered, first in the importance of ICT to the government's vision of the future, first in the impact of ICT on access to basic services, second in impact of ICTs on new services and products, second in Government procurement of advanced technology products, fourth in laws relating to ICT, fifth in the impact of ICT on new organizational models, seventh in mobile phone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, seventh in firm level technology absorption and in business-to-business internet use. Whereas, eighth in use of virtual social networks and in the availability of latest technologies.
In terms of the individual indicators analyzed, the UAE ranked first among Arab states in business-to-consumer internet use, e-participation index, internet access in schools, secure internet servers, low software piracy rates and percentage of software installed.
UAE companies are also actively involved in satellite telecommunications regionally and globally. Thuraya in which Etisalat is an investor, is providing reliable and robust satellite communications, using Thuraya IP and satellite handheld phones, in many of the world's remotest locations. Another UAE company, the Mubadala-owned Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, or Yahsat, the region's first hybrid military and commercial satellite company. Yahsat's satellites provided complete satellite communications solutions to 140 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Central and South West Asia.
