Mobile broadband subscriptions surge to 51.2 million

Overall, cellular mobile subscriptions increase to 148m

KARACHI: Mobile broadband users in Pakistan have reached 51.2 million, bringing the total broadband base to 53.6 million, according to the recent data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The country’s overall mobile subscription based has increased to 148 million, which is 72.9% of the total population, according to data for the period ending February, 2018.

While teledensity in the country has reached to three-fourths of the total population, mobile broadband penetration is still low at 25% of the population.

On the other hand, subscribers of next generation mobile service (NGMS) increased from 49.4 million in January to 51.2 million in February.

Zong’s 3G subscribers dropped from 9.1 million to 8.9 million in the period under review, while its 4G subscription increased drastically in the month from 5.1 million to 5.8 million.

Experts in the industry believe the surge is due to the migration of Zong’s users from 3G to 4G.

Jazz increased its 3G users from 14.5 million to 14.9 million as well as its 4G subscribers from 2.2 million to 2.6 million.

Telenor’s 3G users increased from 10.8 million to 10.9 million while 4G subscribers surged from 1.9 million to 2.2 million. The company witnessed a 14% increase in the 4G category.

Ufone, which offers only 3G services, saw its subscriptions surge to 6 million against 5.9 million subscribers last month.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2018.

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