Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported that telecom subscribers in Pakistan have reached 200 million, reflecting steady growth in the sector over recent years. According to PTA’s annual report for 2024–25, broadband connections have crossed 150 million, while telecom coverage now extends to over 92 per cent of the country, and broadband penetration has surpassed 60 per cent. This growth highlights the increasing reliance on mobile and internet services across both urban and rural areas, and shows strong consumer demand for connectivity.
The report also outlined the financial performance of Pakistan’s telecom sector, with total revenue exceeding one trillion rupees, representing a year-on-year increase of 12 per cent. The sector’s contribution to the national exchequer rose to 402 billion rupees, compared with 336 billion rupees in 2024. Investment in the sector increased by nine per cent to $838 million, reflecting both domestic and foreign confidence in the telecom market. During 2025, total data usage in Pakistan reached 27,727 petabytes, indicating the growing importance of internet services for business, education, and entertainment.
Infrastructure development continues to strengthen network capabilities, with 95 per cent of cellular networks operating on 4G and international bandwidth now at 17.21 Tbps. PTA highlighted plans to enhance regional connectivity with the addition of four new high-capacity submarine cables. Alongside network expansion, domestic mobile device manufacturing has seen rapid growth, with more than 95 per cent of mobile phones now produced locally, including 68 per cent smartphones. This shift toward local production is expected to reduce dependency on imports and support the country’s technology manufacturing ecosystem.
PTA also reported improvements in cyber security, positioning Pakistan higher in global rankings, and noted that consumer protection measures led to a 13 per cent reduction in complaints. The report reflects ongoing efforts to combine infrastructure growth with regulatory and consumer safeguards, ensuring that telecom services remain accessible, secure, and reliable for users across Pakistan. The developments outlined in the report underscore a sector that continues to expand rapidly while contributing significantly to the country’s economy and digital connectivity landscape.
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