Total broadband users in Pakistan hit 70 million

Cellular subscribers increase 1.26% to 161m by end of April 2019

KARACHI: Total broadband, 3G, 4G and landline internet users, in Pakistan have reached a milestone of 70 million, according to latest data by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Out of the 70 million users, 67 million are 3G and 4G subscribers. The number of total cellular subscribers in Pakistan had reached 161 million by end-April 2019, 1.26% more than 159 million in the previous month, according to PTA.

The total count of Jazz’s 4G users grew from 8.774 million by end of March to 9.618 by end of April, according to PTA data. However, the company released a presser on Friday that it has crossed the 10-million mark for 4G data subscribers. The company’s 3G user number stood at 13.393 million by end-April compared to 13.622 million by end-March, a decrease of 0.229 million.

Telenor 4G subscribers jumped to 6.186 million by end-April 2019 against 5.905 million, while the company’s 3G users decreased from 8.764 million in March to 8.640 million in April.

Zong 4G users also soared from 11.6 million by the end of March 2019 to 12.056 million by end-April.

3G subscribers of the Chinese cellular company increased from 8.764 million in March to 8.779 million in April 2019.

Ufone 4G users stood at 1.156 million in the month under review, while its 3G users declined from 7.846 million in March to 7.646 million in April, down by 0.2 million.

Improved internet penetration has a positive impact on the economy of any country, said an industry official. Due to increased broadband, Pakistan is moving towards financial inclusion.

People in remote areas could not use financial services  before, but now they are using banking on mobile, due to which the number of accountholders has reached 53 million, according to the State Bank of Pakistan report of June 2018. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2019.

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