Mobile broadband users remain significantly higher than fixed broadband user as mobile broadband subscribers reach 55 billion with a teledensity of 27.04 %.

Pakistan has seen a dramatic increase in mobile broadband as penetration over the past five years has led mobile broadband subscribers to reach 55 billion with a teledensity of 27.04 % till the end of May 2018. On the other hand, Basic Telephony Subscribers are 3 Million with a 1.30% teledensity.

The telecom sector is one of the fastest growing segments of Pakistan’s economy as the number of 3G and 4G users in the country has reached 55,470,411 by end of May 2018, showing a reasonable growth with each passing month.

Statistics issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have shown that the number of mobile broadband users reached 55,470,411 by end of May 2018, as compared to 54,663,945 million at the end of April 2018.

Jazz's total count for 3G users stood at 14,823,814 by end of May 2018, as compared to 14,921,009 million at end of April 2018. Jazz 4G user numbers jumped from 3,669,794 in April 2018 to 4,035,817 by end of May.

Zong's 3G subscribers increased to 9,383,599 million by end of May 2018 from 9,340,305 million in April 2018 while the number of 4G users jumped from 6,779,753 in April 2018 to 7,086,529 by end of May 2018.

The number of 3G users of Telenor decreased to 10,764,817 by end May 2018 from 10.933,124 million by end April 2018 while the number of 4G users jumped from 2,736,597 by April 2018 to 2,925,219 by end May, 2018.

Ufone's total 3G users reach 6,450,616 against 6,282,913 at the end of April 2018. By end of May 2018, cellular subscribers reached 150.3 million with a teledensity of 73.28 % as compared to 150.1 million previously.

Moderate growth is predicted over the next five years as the penetration of mobile broadband is predicted to continue to grow strongly.

The declining number of fixed lines in Pakistan is restricting more widespread development of fixed broadband. Over the next five years to 2022 low to moderate growth is expected from a small base.

Talking to APP, an official of the ministry said that one of the main reasons for the slow growth of fixed broadband is that 4G network rollouts continue across the country. By 2017 over 30% of Pakistan population was covered by a 4G network.

Pakistan has seen a dramatic increase in mobile broadband penetration over the past five years with market penetration increasing from below 1% in 2012 to 24% in 2017, he added.

(APP)

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