Pakistan’s 3G/4G Subscribers See Nearly 400,000 Increase in July 2024

Pakistan’s telecommunications landscape continues to grow, with the latest figures from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) indicating a significant rise in mobile broadband users. In July 2024, the country added nearly 400,000 new 3G and 4G subscribers, marking another milestone in the nation’s digital evolution.

Growing Cellular User Base

According to the PTA, the number of cellular  subscribers in Pakistan rose from 192.53 million in June 2024 to 192.924 million by the end of July 2024, representing an increase of 394,000 users. The rise in 3G and 4G users was even more remarkable, with numbers climbing from 134.78 million in June to 136.312 million in July 2024.

This growth is a testament to the increasing demand for high-speed internet services across Pakistan, as more people rely on mobile broadband for education, work, and entertainment.

Increasing Mobile Broadband Penetration

The Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration also experienced an upward trend, moving from 55.61 percent in June to 56.15 percent in July 2024. Meanwhile, cellular teledensity, which measures the number of mobile connections per 100 people, remained constant at 79 percent. These statistics underscore the growing importance of mobile services in Pakistan’s digital economy.

Telecom Operators’ Performance Breakdown

The detailed data reveals a mixed performance among the major telecom operators in the country. Jazz, the market leader, saw a decline in its 3G users, dropping from 3.041 million in June to 2.897 million in July 2024. However, Jazz’s 4G subscribers increased from 47.295 million to 47.993 million during the same period, highlighting a shift towards faster mobile internet services.

Zong, another prominent player, also reported a decrease in its 3G subscriber base, falling from 1.983 million in June to 1.955 million in July. Nonetheless, Zong’s 4G users grew from 36.665 million to 37.153 million, reflecting a growing preference for 4G services among its customers.

Telenor experienced a similar trend, with its 3G users decreasing from 1.588 million in June to 1.551 million in July. Meanwhile, Telenor’s 4G subscriber base expanded from 24.680 million to 24.929 million.

Ufone, which has been working to enhance its 4G network, saw its 3G user base shrink slightly, from 2.238 million in June to 2.197 million in July. However, the number of Ufone’s 4G subscribers increased from 15.652 million to 15.975 million by the end of July 2024.

Handling Consumer Complaints

In addition to subscriber growth, the PTA also dealt with a significant volume of consumer complaints. During July 2024, the authority received 19,188 complaints from telecom users, including those against cellular mobile operators (CMOs), PTCL, LDI operators, WLL operators, and ISPs. Out of these, 18,994 complaints (99 percent) were resolved efficiently.

The majority of complaints were against CMOs, totaling 18,585, with a resolution rate of 99.1 percent. Jazz received the highest number of complaints at 6,783, followed by Zong with 6,362, Telenor with 3,198, and Ufone with 2,211.

Looking Ahead

As Pakistan’s telecom sector continues to grow, the rise in 3G/4G users is a positive indicator of the country’s progress towards greater digital inclusion. With telecom operators expanding their services and improving customer satisfaction, the future looks bright for mobile broadband in Pakistan. The steady growth in subscribers is likely to continue as more Pakistanis gain access to high-speed internet, further fueling the nation’s digital economy.