Broadband subscriptions reach 100m in Pakistan

Broadband subscriptions have reached a 100 million mark in Pakistan, The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced in a press release.

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“Owing to supportive government policies, effective competition among telecom operators, and PTA commitment to introduce and utilize innovative technologies, broadband subscriptions in Pakistan have reached a historic 100 million mark,” PTA said in a tweet celebrating the milestone.

In 2012, there were less than 2 million subscriptions but after the introduction of 3G services, the figure jumped to 16 million in 2014 & 100 million in 2021.

As of today, nearly 87 per cent of the population uses internet/broadband service at the lowest rates.

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Moreover, broadband is provided over 3G/4G networks with an average download speed of 17.7 Mbps and upload speed of 11.3 Mbps (mobile) which is above the speed levels in other regional countries, the statement said.

Mobile data prices dropped to only 0.70% of the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita which is under the UN Broadband Commission’s recommendation of less than 2%.

The statement further highlighted that all four national Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs), SCO, and fixed-line broadband operators including PTCL collectively have broadband subscriptions of over 100 million now.

This milestone has been possible due to the rise in usage of data services in every part of the economy and the introduction of the latest and innovative services by operators.

Over the years, the Pakistan telecom sector has achieved many milestones such as reaching 100 million mobile subscriptions in 2010, the introduction of first-ever biometrically verified SIMs across the country in 2009, and implementation of the world’s first open-source DIRBS in 2019.

"PTA lauds the users and the service providers for making us proud to achieve this landmark. We will be formally celebrating the occasion soon with all the stakeholders and national / international telecommunity."