Pakistan’s telecommunications sector continues its growth trajectory, with the latest data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealing an increase in cellular subscribers. The total number of subscribers reached 193.346 million by the end of September 2024, up from 193.098 million in August.
This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of 3G and 4G services, with combined subscriptions rising to 138.731 million in September. While 3G subscriptions saw a slight decline across all major operators, 4G subscriptions continued to surge, indicating a strong preference for faster mobile internet speeds.
“Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration increased from 56.72 percent by end-August 2024 to 56.96 percent,” reported the PTA. This highlights the growing demand for high-speed mobile data and sets the stage for the eventual rollout of 5G services in the country.
The PTA also reported a high complaint resolution rate, with 99% of the 17,324 complaints received in September being successfully addressed. This reflects a focus on customer satisfaction and improved service quality within the telecom sector.
“Cellular mobile subscribers constituted a major part of the overall telecom subscriber base. Therefore, the maximum number of complaints belongs to this segment,” the PTA noted. Despite this, complaint resolution rates remained high across all major operators, including Jazz, Zong, Telenor, and Ufone.
This positive trend in subscriber growth and customer satisfaction indicates a healthy and competitive telecom market in Pakistan. As the country prepares for the introduction of 5G technology, the focus on network expansion and service quality will be crucial to meeting the evolving needs of consumers and driving digital inclusion.Sources and related content