Fiberization of mobile network sites in Pakistan continued its upward trajectory in 2025, reaching 17.9 percent, up from 14.8 percent in 2024. The increase of 3.1 percentage points over the past year reflects faster efforts to strengthen backhaul infrastructure and improve network resilience, according to the latest data released by PTA. The steady rise in fiber connected sites highlights a broader push by telecom operators to support growing data demand, improve service quality and prepare networks for more advanced technologies.
As of June 2025, Pakistan’s total number of cellular sites reached 58,423, while the number of 4G sites stood at 56,694. The expansion of 4G infrastructure has remained consistent with overall network growth, indicating continued focus on broadband mobile services. Installed international bandwidth was recorded at 17.21 terabits per second, while total data usage across the country reached 27,727 petabytes during the year. These figures underline the scale at which Pakistan’s telecom networks are operating, supported by gradual improvements in fiber connectivity and international capacity.
Year wise data shows a clear pattern of sustained development in network infrastructure over the past several years. In 2024, Pakistan had 55,777 total cell sites, including 53,245 4G sites, with fiberization at 14.8 percent. In 2023, the number of total sites stood at 53,581, with 50,359 4G sites and fiberization of 13.2 percent. The progress was already visible in 2022, when the network comprised 51,768 total sites, 47,759 4G sites and fiberization of 11.8 percent. This steady increase over three consecutive years reflects long term investment in network densification and fiber deployment, which is critical for improving data speeds, reducing latency and supporting higher traffic volumes.
Data consumption in Pakistan also continued to rise alongside infrastructure growth, increasing by around 10 percent over the past year. Total data usage reached 27,727 petabytes in 2025, compared to 25,141 petabytes in 2024. Of the 2025 total, fixed broadband accounted for 13,574 petabytes, while mobile data usage reached 14,153 petabytes, indicating strong demand across both segments. In 2024, total usage of 25,141 petabytes included 12,120 petabytes from fixed broadband and 13,021 petabytes from mobile networks. The upward trend is even more evident when looking further back, with data consumption recorded at 20,235 petabytes in 2023, split between 9,385 petabytes fixed and 10,850 petabytes mobile. Usage stood at 16,250 petabytes in 2022, with 7,280 petabytes fixed and 8,970 petabytes mobile, and 12,572 petabytes in 2021, divided between 5,717 petabytes fixed and 6,855 petabytes mobile. These figures reflect sustained year on year growth driven by increased smartphone penetration, video streaming, cloud usage and digital services.
International connectivity capacity has also expanded in line with rising domestic demand. Installed international bandwidth reached 17.21 terabits per second, while activated capacity stood at 13.01 terabits per second as of June. PTCL operates multiple submarine cable systems, including AAE 1 with 4.77 terabits per second installed and 3.58 terabits per second activated, IMEWE with 2.76 terabits per second installed and 1.90 terabits per second activated, and SMW4 with 2.58 terabits per second installed and 1.98 terabits per second activated. Transworld International operates TWA 1 with 2.8 terabits per second installed and 2.6 terabits per second activated, along with SMW5 which has 1.7 terabits per second installed and fully activated. Cybernet manages the PEACE cable with 1.6 terabits per second installed and 0.8 terabits per second activated, while SCO operates the Pakistan China OFC cable with 1.0 terabits per second installed and 0.45 terabits per second activated. Together, these systems form the backbone of Pakistan’s international connectivity and support the continued expansion of data services across the country.
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