Pakistan’s telecommunications sector is showing consistent growth, as revealed by the latest data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The number of 3G and 4G users in the country increased by nearly 400,000 in July 2024, demonstrating the continued expansion of mobile broadband services across the nation.
Impressive Growth in Mobile Broadband
According to the PTA, the total number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan rose from 192.53 million in June 2024 to 192.924 million by the end of July 2024. This represents a significant addition of 394,000 new users within a month. The growth in mobile broadband users, specifically 3G and 4G services, was even more pronounced. The number of 3G and 4G users increased from 134.78 million in June to 136.312 million by the end of July 2024.
This steady increase highlights the growing adoption of mobile internet services, driven by the widespread availability of affordable smartphones and competitive data packages offered by telecom operators.
Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) Penetration
The Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration in Pakistan saw an uptick, rising from 55.61 percent in June to 56.15 percent in July 2024. Cellular teledensity, a key indicator measuring the number of connections per 100 individuals, remained stable at 79 percent during the same period. These figures reflect the continued reliance of the Pakistani population on mobile connectivity for communication, entertainment, and business activities.
Performance of Major Telecom Operators
The growth in mobile broadband users varied across different telecom operators. Jazz, the largest telecom operator in Pakistan, saw a slight decline in its 3G user base, which dropped from 3.041 million in June to 2.897 million by the end of July 2024. However, the number of Jazz 4G users increased from 47.295 million to 47.993 million during the same period, indicating a shift towards faster internet services.
Similarly, Zong experienced a reduction in its 3G subscribers, decreasing from 1.983 million in June to 1.955 million in July. However, its 4G subscriber base grew from 36.665 million to 37.153 million. Telenor also saw a decrease in its 3G subscribers, from 1.588 million to 1.551 million, while its 4G users increased from 24.680 million to 24.929 million.
Ufone, another key player in the market, reported a decrease in its 3G user base, which stood at 2.197 million in July compared to 2.238 million in June. On the other hand, Ufone’s 4G users rose from 15.652 million in June to 15.975 million by the end of July 2024.
Consumer Complaints and Resolution
In addition to the subscriber growth, the PTA also managed a significant number of consumer complaints during July 2024. The authority received 19,188 complaints against various telecom operators, including cellular mobile operators (CMOs), Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), long-distance international (LDI) operators, wireless local loop (WLL) operators, and internet service providers (ISPs). Of these complaints, 18,994 (99 percent) were successfully resolved.
Cellular mobile operators received the highest number of complaints, with 18,585 complaints lodged, of which 18,410 (99.1 percent) were addressed. Jazz led in the number of complaints with 6,783, followed by Zong with 6,362, Telenor with 3,198, and Ufone with 2,211.
The steady increase in 3G/4G users in Pakistan underscores the ongoing digital transformation within the country. As telecom operators continue to expand their services and address consumer concerns, the future of mobile broadband in Pakistan looks promising, with more people gaining access to high-speed internet and digital services.
