The number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan grew from 192.53 million at the end of June 2024 to 192.924 million (+394,000) by the end of July, according to data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The data also revealed an increase in the number of 3G and 4G users in the country, rising from 134.78 million at the end of June to 136.312 million by the end of July 2024.
Growth in NGMS Penetration and Cellular Teledensity
The penetration of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in Pakistan increased from 55.61 percent at the end of June to 56.15 percent by the end of July 2024. Meanwhile, cellular teledensity, which represents the number of connections per 100 individuals in the country, remained stable at 79 percent by the end of July.
Changes in 3G and 4G Subscriber Numbers Across Networks
- Jazz saw a decline in its 3G users, dropping from 3.041 million in June to 2.897 million in July. However, its 4G user base grew from 47.295 million to 47.993 million during the same period.
- Zong experienced a slight decrease in 3G subscribers, from 1.983 million to 1.955 million, while its 4G users increased from 36.665 million to 37.153 million.
- Telenor‘s 3G subscriber count fell from 1.588 million in June to 1.551 million in July, while its 4G users increased from 24.680 million to 24.929 million.
- Ufone maintained a 3G user base of 2.197 million in July, down slightly from 2.238 million in June. Ufone’s 4G users rose from 15.652 million in June to 15.975 million in July.
PTA Resolves 99% of Telecom Consumer Complaints
The PTA received a total of 19,188 complaints from telecom consumers in July 2024. Of these, 18,994 (99 percent) were resolved. The complaints were lodged against various telecom operators, including cellular mobile operators (CMOs), the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), long-distance international (LDI) operators, wireless local loop (WLL) operators, and internet service providers (ISPs).
Breakdown of Consumer Complaints
- Jazz: 6,783 complaints were received, with 6,771 (99.8 percent) resolved.
- Telenor: 3,198 complaints were received, with 3,169 (99.1 percent) resolved.
- Zong: 6,362 complaints were received, with 6,323 (99.4 percent) resolved.
- Ufone: 2,211 complaints were received, with 2,118 (95.8 percent) resolved.
Additionally, the PTA received 162 complaints against basic telephony services, resolving 157 (96.9 percent) of them. Moreover, 426 complaints were lodged against ISPs, with 413 (96.9 percent) resolved.
The PTA’s latest data highlights continued growth in Pakistan’s telecom sector, particularly in the adoption of 3G and 4G services. Despite some fluctuations in subscriber numbers across different networks, the overall trend remains positive. The PTA’s effective resolution of consumer complaints further underscores its commitment to maintaining service quality and customer satisfaction in the country’s telecom industry.
