• December 24, 2024
• Information Technology
• Web Desk

Pakistan’s telecom sector generated record revenues of Rs 955 billion during the fiscal year 2023-24, while cellular services now cover 91% of the country’s population, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said in its annual report released on December 16.

The report recorded an Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of Rs 302 per month for the April-June 2024 quarter.

The report said the total number of telecom subscribers reached 196 million, including 193.4 million mobile subscribers. Broadband users rose to 142.3 million, with 138.7 million subscribing to mobile broadband services and 3.6 million relying on fixed broadband connections. Fixed-line subscribers totaled 2.6 million. The PTA attributed the 91% increase in broadband usage over the last five years to expanded coverage and infrastructure upgrades.

The PTA stated that cellular mobile services now reach 91 per cent of the population. The report highlighted that 3G/4G services reach 81% of the population, while 95.5% of the 55,777 operational cell sites as of June support 4G. During the fiscal year, investments in the telecom sector totaled $765 million, with contributions to the national exchequer amounting to Rs 335 billion through taxes, duties, and regulatory payments.

The report also highlighted challenges in rolling out 5G services, particularly in rural and remote areas, citing high deployment costs and logistical hurdles. Limited availability of 5G-compatible handsets remains another challenge.

The authority finalized the  draft “Telecom Equipment Standards Regulations 2024.” The draft, vetted by the law ministry, awaits approval from the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet.

Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, the PTA processed 1.43 million URLs linked to unlawful content. Consumer complaints related to telecom services totaled 191,514, of which 99.3% were resolved. The PTA also blocked or recycled 5.8 million inactive SIMs.

However, the telecom sector witnessed a 20 per cent decline in Foreign Direct Investment which was $46 million in this fiscal year compared to $58 million in the last fiscal year.