Pakistan’s mobile subscriber base continues to expand, according to data released by the PTA. As of March 2024, the country boasts 192.07 million cellular subscribers, reflecting a slight increase from 191.46 million at the end of February.
The growth extends to internet connectivity as well. The number of 3G and 4G users climbed to 131.94 million in March, up from 130.92 million the previous month. This translates to a cellular teledensity (mobile phone penetration) of 79.63%, compared to 79.51% in February. Overall teledensity, which includes fixed-line subscriptions, also rose slightly to 80.7%.
Next-generation mobile services (NGMS), encompassing 3G and 4G technologies, are witnessing steady adoption. NGMS penetration reached 54.7% in March, up from 54.37% in February.
The report further details individual mobile network operator trends. Jazz experienced a decline in 3G subscribers but saw a rise in 4G users. Zong and Telenor followed similar patterns, with a decrease in 3G subscriptions and an increase in 4G adoption. Ufone’s 3G user base remained relatively stable, while their 4G subscriptions saw a slight increase.
These figures indicate a continued shift towards faster and more reliable mobile internet connectivity in Pakistan. The rise in subscriber base and NGMS penetration highlights the growing importance of mobile technology in everyday life for Pakistanis.