PTA initiative to help stop the use of illegally imported smartphones

ISLAMABAD: Effective implementation of Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) had helped stop the use of fake and substandard mobile devices being imported via informal and illegal channels in the country.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), around 7.64 million smartphones had been imported during the first eleven months of 2019 as compared to 7.24 million in the last year.



As many as 7.11 million devices having 3G and 4G technology functionality including IoT (Internet of Things), Dongles, Tablets, and others had been imported during the first eleven months of this year as compared to 4.82 million during 2018.

Moreover, 4G devices connected to mobile operator’s networks had also increased from 18% in January 2018 to 31 percent as of November 2019.

Whereas 3G devices connected to their networks had decreased from 19% in January 2018 to 13% as of November 2019.

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These statistics showed that users prefer to migrate 4G based devices over 3G. Contrary to certain media reports, the mobile broadband (BB) penetration had also increased from 51.8 million subscribers in January 2018 to 76.4 million in November 2019, showing an increase of over 47%  due to increased usage of smartphones.

It may be mentioned here that 4G smart phones were being sold in Pakistan from Rs 6,450 to 11,000.